MINSK, 25 June (BelTA) – Belarus raised over $734 million worth of international technical aid for climate change projects in 2002-2018, Natalya Aleinikova, Head of the Office for Regulating the Impact on Atmospheric Air, Climate Change, and Expert Evaluation of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, said at the roundtable session “Green Urban Development: Theory into Practice” held at the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus shapes its national policy taking into account the most important global priorities including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Practically all Sustainable Development Goals regarding environmental protection and sustainable use of resources have been integrated into national programs and strategies. The National Action Plan for the Development of Green Economy is an excellent example of how a country can introduce common European approaches into its policy,” Natalya Aleinikova noted.
Belarus is implementing projects on energy saving, renewable energy resources, forest and peatland preservation and restoration. “In 2002-2018, Belarus raised over $734 million worth of international technical aid to finance environmental projects. This fact shows that Belarus is eager to make transition to green economy in all sectors,” Natalya Aleinikova believes.
At present, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry is seeking investors for wind energy sector and is drawing up plans to set up five wind farms. One of the sites near Veleshkovichi village (Liozno District, Vitebsk Oblast) has already been put up for e-auction.
At present, over 45 Belarusian cities have joined the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, Natalya Aleinikova said. They have voluntarily assumed liabilities to develop the cities in line with sustainable energy principles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.
The roundtable session discussed experience of Belarusian cities in devising green urban development plans and enhancing energy efficiency. The session brought together MPs, representatives of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, the Architecture and Construction Ministry, the Energy Efficiency Department of the State Standardization Committee, the GEF-UNDP project “Belarus: Supporting Green Urban Development”, city administrations, and public associations.
