The Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus-Rosimannus discussed the success story of Estonia’s clean economy with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Christiana Figueres in New York.
“Estonia is a good example of how reaching climate goals does not preclude rapid economic growth. We have doubled our GDP after regaining our independence and decreased CO2 emissions by half. Our discussion with Executive Secretary Figueres was focused on how to share our experience and success story,” said Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, who is currently participating in the UN Climate Summit in New York.
During the Summit, the Minister of the Environment confirmed the preparedness of Estonia as well as of the European Union to continue decreasing CO2 emissions even after 2020. Estonia has strongly been supporting the plan of the EU of decreasing CO2 pollution by 40% by 2030. In addition to alleviating climate change, it would also encourage using smarter and more sustainable technology and would improve the living environment as well as decrease health risks. Estonia has also recently started developing a climate strategy until 2050.
In addition, the Minister also introduced Estonia’s measures in increasing energy efficiency and decreasing CO2. “Adding up investments made during the previous years and the investments planned to be made in the near future, the total amounts up to over 700 million euros. This includes extensive building renovation projects, constructing an infrastructure for electric vehicle charging and supporting the energy transition. We have increased the proportion of our renewable energy so quickly that we are now one of the best in the European Union,” said the Minister of the Environment.
Yesterday, Keit Pentus-Rosimannus took part in the UN Climate Summit in New York convened by Ban Ki-moon, aimed at contributing to the conclusion of the universal agreement on climate change by the end of 2015 in Paris.
(24.09.2014)