Lithuanian minister: NCQG must be realistic and focused on mitigation in every country

Over the last decade, every corner of the planet has suffered from the devastating effects of climate change. However, despite all the warning signs, the global community is far from achieving the Paris Agreement goals. COP29 presents another opportunity to act, Lithuanian Minister of Environment Simonas Gentvilas said at a high-level meeting during COP29, according to Report.

"A good start would be moving away from fossil fuels by tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency efforts by 2030, as agreed last year in Dubai. Unfortunately, the first program assessment shows that our collective efforts were insufficient. We can and must do better," he said.

Lithuania has taken an ambitious course toward green transition. "We are following a clear commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70% by 2030 compared to 1990s levels and become a climate-neutral country by 2050. By 2030, Lithuania's national power grid will become green, with renewable energy sources reaching 100%," he stated.

According to the Lithuanian minister, it will be crucial for the international community to strengthen mitigation ambitions in line with the 1.5-degree temperature goal. We need to move toward long-term sustainability and reach a new agreement on a new collective quantitative goal for climate financing, he said.

"This goal must be realistic and closely linked to mitigation efforts in each individual country. The quantitative value of the goal should be connected to an expanded group of participants, reflecting the evolution of countries' economic capabilities and increased share of global greenhouse gas emissions, including present, not just historical ones," he said.