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Environment & Sustainability Guide · Latvia

Environment & Sustainability Guide in Latvia

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies

Latvia maintains good environmental quality with stable air quality trends and strong forest coverage at around 54%. The country faces climate challenges including rising temperatures of approximately 1.5-2°C over the past 30 years and increasing flood risks due to Baltic Sea level rise. Sustainability efforts focus on EU-aligned renewable energy targets and protected areas covering 25% of land.

Air Quality Index

0510

Good

7.5/10(AQI: N/A)

Stable trend

Latvia's air quality is stable with low PM2.5 levels averaging 8-12 µg/m³ in urban areas like Riga. Government monitoring shows compliance with EU standards, though winter wood burning increases particulates. Initiatives like emission controls from transport and industry maintain good quality.

Water Quality

0510

Excellent

8.5/10

Latvia's water quality is high, with 99% of drinking water meeting EU standards. Surface waters show good ecological status in 60% of rivers and lakes per EU reports. Agricultural runoff and historical pollution are managed through monitoring.

Safe tap water nationwide; treatment exceeds WHO guidelines.

Recycling System

Latvia's municipal waste recycling rate reached 28% in 2022, with separate collection for paper, glass, plastic, and metals. EU targets drive improvements toward 55% by 2025. Infrastructure includes 500+ collection points.

Recycling Rate: 28.0%

plasticpaperglassmetal

Green Spaces

Latvia boasts 54% forest coverage, one of Europe's highest. Six national parks and 270 protected areas cover 25% of territory, protecting bogs, dunes, and coasts.

Forest Coverage: 54.0%

National Parks: 6

Natura 2000 sites span 40,000 km², safeguarding biodiversity hotspots.

Environmental Policies

Latvia implements EU directives on air, water, and waste. Key policies include the 2021-2027 Environmental Strategy targeting carbon neutrality by 2050.

Key Policies:

•National Energy and Climate Plan
•Biodiversity Strategy 2030
•Waste Management Law

Renewable Energy: 40% renewables by 2030; wind and biomass lead at 44% of electricity in 2023.

Natural Disaster Risk

MODERATE

Latvia faces floods, storms, and coastal erosion; low seismic risk. Floods affect Daugava River annually.

floodsstormsforest fires

Climate Change Impacts: Temperatures rose 1.8°C from 1991-2020 vs 1961-1990; extreme precipitation up 20% since 2000. Baltic Sea level rise of 1.5 mm/year increases flood frequency by 15%. Heatwaves doubled since 1990s; 2021 floods caused €100M damage.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Latvia achieved 44% renewable electricity in 2023 via wind (16 GW capacity) and biomass. EU-funded projects target 50% by 2030.

Waste Management

Deposit system returns 92% of beverage containers; composting programs expanded to 30 municipalities.

Biodiversity Protection

Gauja National Park restoration protects lynx and bears; 25% land under protection.

Wildlife & Nature

European BisonVulnerable

Eurasian LynxNear Threatened

White StorkCommon

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