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The Programme Ends, but Responsibility Remains: Norway’s Contribution to a Greener Lithuania
Today, we face growing environmental and energy challenges that affect our daily lives and the planet’s future. Pollution, climate change, resource depletion, and nuclear safety are pressing concerns that Lithuania, along with other European countries, must address. The Norwegian Financial Mechanism programme “Environment, Energy, Climate Change” was created to help tackle these challenges and drive long-term solutions.
Through this programme, Lithuania took important steps to adapt to climate change, improve energy planning, prevent disasters, safely decommission the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, and manage hazardous waste more effectively.
Strengthening Nuclear Safety
Since its launch in 2020, the programme has supported several major projects benefiting Lithuania’s safety and sustainability.
One key project, “Development of an early warning system on nuclear emergency of Lithuania,” focused on protecting the population from potential nuclear or radiological accidents, particularly from neighboring Belarus.
“This project provided sirens and other necessary equipment for early warnings, along with training for specialists. Thanks to this, Lithuania is now better prepared to alert residents about potential threats, predict risks, and take protective actions,” said Sandra Remeikienė, Deputy Director of the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA).
Another important project, “Safety Enhancement of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Radioactive Waste management,” aimed to improve waste management and minimize environmental and public health risks.
“A crucial achievement of this project was developing a concept for the safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in Lithuania. This ensures hazardous materials are securely isolated without harming people or nature,” Remeikienė explained.
Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Issues
The programme also supported initiatives to make Lithuania more environmentally sustainable.
One major project, “HAZ-IDENT,” created an easy-to-use online tool for identifying and managing hazardous waste. This helps people and businesses properly dispose of dangerous materials, improving environmental safety.
Another key initiative, “ClimAdapt-LT,” helped municipalities develop plans to adapt to climate change. Scientists created forecasts highlighting climate risks for Lithuania, providing valuable data for future planning.
To combat marine pollution, researchers from Klaipėda University led the “Monitoring of marine litter” project. This effort tracked pollution levels in the Baltic Sea, analyzed contamination of coastlines and sea sediments, and identified the sources of pollution.
Additionally, the “ Improving mapping and monitoring of the ecological status of marine and inland water” project developed an advanced system for assessing the health of Lithuania’s water bodies. This system helps authorities monitor water quality and respond to environmental changes more effectively.
Another major achievement of the programme was the creation of an interactive energy data platform. This tool consolidates important energy-related information, helping Lithuania plan energy use more efficiently.
“This platform is essential for city planning, improving building energy efficiency, monitoring energy consumption, and optimizing infrastructure,” Remeikienė noted.
Ensuring a Lasting Impact
As the programme comes to an end, its success highlights the need for ongoing efforts in environmental protection.
“The programme gave us valuable tools and knowledge, but environmental challenges don’t disappear overnight. Everyone must continue working to maintain and expand these achievements,” emphasized Remeikienė.
Thanks to this programme, Lithuania is now in a stronger position to build a more sustainable and safer future. However, the responsibility to protect the environment does not end here—it requires continuous effort from governments, businesses, and individuals alike.
The communication campaign marking the end of the 2014-2021 Norwegian Financial Mechanism Programme "Environment, Energy, Climate Change" was initiated by the CPVA. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the programme’s achievements in improving Lithuania's ecosystems and reducing the negative effects of pollution. The campaign is funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.