Veranika Khlud
Project Manager
International
Transport Development Association
Latvia
Ieva Demjanenko
Project Manager
International
Transport Development Association
Latvia
The issue of sustainable development is not just a theme, but a pressing concern for the Baltic region countries, including Latvia. As a critical hub on maritime trade routes, Latvia plays a vital role in the maritime industry, significantly impacting the environment. Shipping remains one of the largest carbon dioxide (CO2) emission sources, necessitating immediate and active measures to reduce the carbon footprint.
Latvia’s maritime industry constitutes a significant part of the national economy, especially given its geographic location and well-developed port infrastructure. However, the intensity of maritime transport and logistics contributes to critical environmental challenges, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. According to data from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, maritime transport accounts for a significant share of the country’s total CO2 emissions. Considering Latvia’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and European targets for emission reductions, it becomes clear that the maritime industry must take steps to achieve sustainable development.
Focusing on implementing new technologies, upgrading current vessels, and implementing new procedures in the maritime industry is essential to minimizing the carbon footprint. Furthermore, Baltic countries like Latvia actively embrace renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power to support and power port infrastructure. There are ongoing initiatives to install solar panels and develop systems to harness and utilize wind energy at the Free Port of Riga.
Success in reducing the carbon footprint depends not only on the implementation of technologies but also on appropriate regulatory measures. In 2020, Latvia adopted a National Climate Action Plan, which includes measures to reduce emissions in the maritime sector. These measures include stricter emission standards for ships, modernising the existing fleet, and incentives for transitioning to more environmentally friendly fuels.
Latvia is also actively participating in the European “Fit for 55” initiative, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. Various measures are being discussed as part of this initiative, including the introduction of a carbon tax on shipping, which could incentivise shipping companies to adopt cleaner technologies.
The International Transport Development Association (ITDA) is a professional association that aims to advance sustainable development in the transport, maritime, ports, and logistics sectors. It fosters collaboration among stakeholders in these fields, promotes the adoption of innovative technologies, and supports compliance with international environmental regulations. One of the significant projects aimed at reducing the carbon footprint in Latvia and the Baltic region is “Sustainable Flow”, implemented since 2023. This project, in collaboration with Estonia, Finland, and Sweden, is focused on creating more environmentally friendly port operations and infrastructure and reducing CO2 emissions. The International Transport Development Association is Latvia's leading partner in the project, overseeing the installation of solar panels to supply the port with electricity from renewable sources and developing specialised software to optimise energy consumption, making resource use more efficient and environmentally safe.
Collaboration with partners from Estonia, Finland, and Sweden is not just beneficial, but essential for Latvia to leverage the advanced experience and technologies of these countries to achieve maximum results. These countries are also implementing similar projects in their ports, creating conditions for the exchange of knowledge and best practices. This project is expected not only to reduce CO2 emissions significantly but also to improve the energy efficiency of the ports involved in the initiative, marking an important step towards creating 'green' corridors for shipping in the Baltic region.
Despite the successes, Latvia faces several challenges on the path to reducing the carbon footprint in the maritime industry. One of the main barriers is the high cost of implementing new technologies and modernising infrastructure. This includes the initial investment required for installing solar panels and developing specialised software, as well as the ongoing maintenance costs.
Nevertheless, the prospects for Latvia and the entire Baltic region are not just positive but promising. Considering the growing support from the European Union and international commitments to emission reductions, Latvia has every chance to become a leader in sustainable shipping.