Associations Letter of Support KEVM

The Sustainability Cluster Latvia and the Latvian Renewable Energy Federation express their support for Kaspars Meļnis as a candidate for the position of Minister of Climate, Energy and Environmental Protection. This comes at a time when the country must urgently ensure rapid progress toward achieving the European Union’s climate neutrality targets, while simultaneously promoting Latvia’s energy independence and economic competitiveness amid the acute energy crisis. For these reasons, the Minister of Climate and Energy is among the particularly important government positions.

According to these organizations, Kaspars Meļnis’ personal experience in agricultural entrepreneurship could be a strong asset for successful performance in this role, as it combines the importance of environmental requirements with economic development and climate commitments. Agriculture, in particular, is gradually being transformed under European Union leadership toward sustainable development.

We wish to balance seemingly conflicting goals in the name of national priorities and public welfare—economic competitiveness, the preservation and enhancement of natural wealth, and the reduction of emissions.

Our organizations wishes the minister not to submit to pressure from climate skeptics, supporters of green extremism, or other doomsayers. Many critics and past analysts can only be invited to participate constructively in finding complex solutions.

Over the past three months, France and some other EU countries have expressed the view that new climate regulations should not be adopted because it is difficult to comply with existing rules. Latvia is currently tragically staying behind in meeting emission reduction requirements, which must be implemented by 2030. This poses serious consequences for the national budget in the near future if the current situation is not corrected. In other words, Latvia would very likely be forced to purchase emission quotas from countries that are able to meet and exceed their carbon reduction obligations, creating an additional burden on the Latvian budget and taxpayers.

Therefore, we call for embracing the challenge and fulfilling the commitment to achieve the EU’s collective climate neutrality goals, while simultaneously increasing the competitiveness of the national economy. We urge systematic support for local renewable energy resources, which are a crucial asset on the path to energy independence.

We express the hope that the newly established ministry will work much more productively toward achieving the set goals and will engage in dialogue with all those involved in these processes.

Additional information:

Armands Gūtmanis – Sustainability Cluster Latvia (29214466)

Kristaps Stepanovs – Latvian Renewable Energy Federation

kristaps.stepanovs@gmail.com