Information on national adaptation actions reported under the Governance Regulation
Reporting updated until: 2023-03-16
Item | Status | Links |
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National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) |
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National Adaptation Plan (NAP) |
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Meteorological observations |
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Climate projections and services |
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Adaptation portals and platforms |
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Monitoring, reporting and evaluation (MRE) indicators and methodologies |
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Key reports and publications | ||
National communication to the UNFCCC | ||
Governance regulation adaptation reporting |
More than half of the Lithuanian land is suitable for agriculture, i.e., land area used for agricultural purposes. Forest land area accounted for 33.8% of the total area. Lithuania has around 30 thousand rivers and streams (waterways) longer than 0,25 km, 816 longer than 10 km and 18 longer than 100 km with a total length of around 64.000 thousand km. The longest river is Nemunas, with a total length estimated to be around 937 km, of which 477 km is in Lithuania’s territory. Lithuania has 2 550 lakes with an area larger than 0.5 ha. The total land area covered with lakes amounts to around 920 km2 (1,2 % of the territory).
Lithuanian climate is formed and affected by global factors and local geographical circumstances. Key features of the climate depend on the geographical location of the territory. Lithuania is located in the temperate climate zone. The second global factor is the prevailing westerly airflow. Lithuanian territory, like the whole European region, lies in the area under the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and westerly airflow, with air temperature, precipitation and other parameters.
The average annual temperature in Lithuania is 7.4°C (1991 - 2020 climatic normal). The highest average temperature in Lithuania is observed in July while the lowest – is in January. Due to climate change, since the end of the 20th century, the number of extremely hot days, with the daily maximum air temperature equal to or above 30°C, has increased substantially. Meanwhile, frosty days, when the daily minimum air temperature drops to -20°C and below, have decreased significantly. The 1991 - 2020 climatic normal precipitated rainfall is 695 mm. More precipitation is monitored in the western side of the country. Due to climate change, precipitation patterns in Lithuanian territory are acting differently – in some places, it has increased, and elsewhere - decreased (however, these changes are not significant). However, the tendency is that precipitation in Lithuania is increasing during the cold season, and so does the number of days with heavy precipitation. The share of liquid precipitation in cold periods is increasing as well.
The most populated areas in Lithuania are the counties of the three biggest cities: Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda. The population density of these three cities at the start of 2023 was estimated to be 84,1 inhabitants per square kilometre for Vilnius (inhabitants/km2), 70,4 inhabitants/km2 for Kaunas County and 62,1 inhabitants/km2 for Klaipeda respectively.
In general, the total population of Lithuania takes a declining trend. Since 2001, the total population has shrunk by nearly 680.0 thousand people. Only in 2023, it has increased by 54.0 thousand people, compared to 2022. The biggest losses are recorded in the period of 2005 - 2016 and are estimated to be around 365.1 thousand (72% of the total decline) due to negative net international migration and 142.2 thousand (28% of the total decline) due to a natural decrease.
The country’s economy and macroeconomic indicators were the main factors which described the development of the country over the last decade. During the period from 2000 the most rapid economic development was witnessed in 2003 and 2007 (GDP growth, compared with the previous year, amounted to 10.5% and 11.1% respectively) However, the economic crisis in 2008 led down GDP to -14.8% compared to the previous year as in many European countries. In the later years, GDP growth was slower and was averaging 3.5%. Main sectors of industry: Agriculture contributes 3.31% to the GDP and employs 7% of the workforce (World Bank, 2022). Lithuania's main agricultural products are wheat, wood, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wine and meat (beef, mutton and pork). The industrial sector accounts for 25.3% of GDP, employing around 26% of the active population. The main industrial sectors are electronics, chemical products, machine tools, metal processing, construction material, household appliances, food processing, light industry (including textile), clothing and furniture. The country is also developing oil refineries and shipyards. The World Bank estimates that the manufacturing sector alone contributes to 16% of the country’s GDP. Lastly, the services sector contributes 60.74% to the GDP and employs more than two-thirds of the active population (67%). The information technology and communications sectors are the most important contributors to the GDP. In recent years, tourism has been one of the fastest-growing sectors of the country's economy (https://www.nordeatrade.com).
As a member of the EU since 2004, Lithuania has experienced significant growth, coupled with the rapid modernisation of its economy, becoming a member of the OECD in 2018. The country experienced the fastest recovery in Europe from the financial crisis in 2009, partly fuelled by a well-performing banking system and a diversified industrial sector.
LHMS has also relaunched radiozoning since 2021 I quart. LHMS has now 4 lightning detectors, which are in the network with ECLID. The meteorological radar network consists of 2 weather radars (since 2013 and 2015).
Most of the LHMS gathered data is free and available to the society on the institution's website, including information on climate change, records on extreme events, related to temperatures, rainfall, wind speed and snowfall etc. Moreover, LHMS has established a warning system to provide warnings on dangerous and catastrophic hydro-meteorological phenomena, sudden weather changes, ozone layer depletion, etc. to all citizens directly through their mobile phones.
Climate projections for the 21st century are based on the outputs of numerical climate models in Lithuania.
In 2023, Lithuania is preparing a study called ‘Preparation of climate change projections, a national study on the sensitivity and vulnerability of Lithuanian municipalities to climate change and preparation of the plan for adaptation of the most sensitive municipality’ under the project ‘ClimAdapt-LT’. In the first part of the study, the climate projections for the period up to 2100 were updated. The projections are based on the Global Climate Research Programme's Fifth Model Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 representative air pollutant concentration scenarios. Maps and graphs have been produced to reflect the climate parameters and climate derivatives together with changes in climate variables in Lithuania are presented. The results will be given not only in document form but also, they will be presented in interactive maps of each variable and will be available on the website klimatokaita.lt in April 2023.
Climate projections for the 21st century are based on outputs from global and regional climate models. The future projection forecast values of climate indicators for the territory of Lithuania have been calculated according to RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate projections.
Hazard type | Acute/Chronic | Observed climate hazards |
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Water | Acute | Drought |
Flood | ||
Heavy precipitation | ||
Snow and ice load | ||
Chronic | Changing precipitation patterns and types | |
Precipitation hydrological variability | ||
Saline intrusion | ||
Seal level rise | ||
Solid mass | Acute | |
Chronic | Coastal_erosion | |
Soil erosion | ||
Sol degradation | ||
Temperature | Acute | Cold wave frost |
Heat wave | ||
Wildfire | ||
Chronic | Changing temperature | |
Temperature variability | ||
Wind | Acute | Storm |
Chronic | Changing wind patterns |
Hazard type | Acute/Chronic | Future climate hazards | Qualitative trend |
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Water | Acute | Drought | significantly increasing |
Flood | significantly increasing | ||
Heavy precipitation | significantly increasing | ||
Snow and ice load | significantly decreasing | ||
Chronic | Changing precipitation patterns and types | significantly increasing | |
Precipitation hydrological variability | significantly increasing | ||
Saline intrusion | evolution uncertain or unknown | ||
Seal level rise | significantly increasing | ||
Solid mass | Acute | ||
Chronic | Coastal erosion | evolution uncertain or unknown | |
Soil erosion | evolution uncertain or unknown | ||
Sol degradation | without significant change | ||
Temperature | Acute | Cold wave frost | significantly decreasing |
Heat wave | significantly increasing | ||
Wildfire | without significant change | ||
Chronic | Changing temperature | significantly increasing | |
Temperature variability | evolution uncertain or unknown | ||
Wind | Acute | Storm | without significant change |
Chronic | Changing wind patterns | without significant change |
Seasonal changes gave impacts for plants and agriculture, changing plan species have impacts for human health via allergies.
Also having reduction in water runoff during the summer season and hydrological droughts.
Key affected sectors
Key affected sector(s) | energy |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | medium |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | different key hazards |
Assessment | No hazard and exposure assessment has been performed for changes in frequency and magnitude. In summary, the changes in energy can be due to the following changes: • Rise in air temperature during the cold and warm periods of the year. • High temperature of water bodies in summer. • Extreme cold and heat. • Rainfall redistribution and inequality over the year. • Droughts, declining river runoff and extreme water level fluctuations. • Wind gusts and storms. • Heavy rains, hail. • Lightning. • Freezing rain and other icing phenomena. • Snow surface instability. • Sea level rise. • Increasing climate extremism. |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | medium |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | medium |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | |
Assessment | An assessment of vulnerabilities, including adaptability, has not yet been performed. The effects of hazards can be reduced or managed through the following adaptation measures: • Assessment of climate forecasts in the preparation of new energy production, transmission infrastructure design projects or existing renovation projects. • Thermal insulation of underground infrastructure. • Replacement of overhead power lines with underground cables. • In summer - increasing the volumes of electricity production and / or imports, capacity of electricity lines, promotion of economical energy consumption. • Ensuring energy reserves. • Adjusting energy production and import flows to take account of inequalities in hydropower production. • Ensuring alternative energy supply options. • Providing emergency access to overhead power lines. • Insurance and indemnification for energy companies (especially RES power plants). |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | not applicable |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | |
Assessment | A risk assessment of possible future effects has not been carried out at present and is planned for the future (transmission and distribution). |
Key affected sector(s) | agriculture and food |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | high |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | |
Assessment | No hazard and exposure assessment has been performed for changes in frequency and magnitude. In summary, the following changes can lead to both positive and negative changes in yields and agricultural production: • Heat waves. • Drought. • Unstable snow cover. • Extreme cold. • Snow-free cold winter. • Late spring and early autumn frosts. • Heavy rains, hail, floods. • Strong wind, thunderstorm. • Extension of the warming period of plant vegetation. |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | high |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | high |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | |
Assessment | There is currently no assessment of vulnerabilities, including adaptability. The effects of hazards can be reduced or managed through the following adaptation measures: • Adaptation capacity building, education and counseling of farmers and municipal specialists, provision of comprehensive agro-climatic information. • Sustainable territorial development, preserving natural ecosystems, rational land use. • Restoration of agricultural potential and implementation of preventive measures. • Development of a system for the prevention, monitoring and control of plant and animal pests and diseases. • Development of a system for warning of fires and natural hydrometeorological phenomena. • Agri-environmental measures: installation of vegetation strips and protection zones around intensively cultivated arable land, storage of stubble during the winter. • Development of research for strengthening the climatic potential of agrocenoses and for agrometeorological modeling and forecasting. • Development of agrometeorological monitoring and implementation of agrometeorological forecasting services. • Promoting the development and maintenance of innovative drainage and irrigation systems for agricultural land. • Insurance benefits, mutual funds, income stabilization measures. • Investing in the improvement of animal and bird housing conditions, waste utilization. |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | not applicable |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | |
Assessment | A risk assessment of the potential future impact has not been carried out at present and is planned for the future |
Key affected sector(s) | biodiversity (including ecosystembased approaches) |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | medium |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | |
Assessment | No hazard and exposure assessment has been performed for changes in frequency and magnitude. In summary, changes in biodiversity may be due to the following changes: • Rising summer and winter temperatures. Storms and hurricane winds. • Rising Baltic Sea level. • Warming of the sea and the Curonian Lagoon and changes in salinity and circulation. • Winter thaws, spring cold waves. • Heat waves. • Increased drought. • River sedimentation, water level fluctuations in rivers and lakes. • Increased rainfall, floods and flash floods. • Intensity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | medium |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | medium |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | |
Assessment | An assessment of vulnerabilities, including adaptability, has not yet been performed. The effects of hazards can be reduced or managed through the following adaptation measures: • Strengthen the regulatory framework to protect ecosystems and biodiversity in the face of climate change. • Support long-term wildlife research and monitoring. • To create a scientific-information database, which would store research related to climate change. • Management at the species level. • Prevent the destruction of existing ecosystems and halt the spread of dangerous invasive species. • Strengthening the capacity of different ecosystems to adapt to climate change at three levels (reserve, landscape, national / European). |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | not applicable |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | |
Assessment | A risk assessment of possible future effects has not been carried out at present and is planned for the future. |
Key affected sector(s) | forestry |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | medium |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | |
Assessment | No hazard and exposure assessment has been performed for changes in frequency and magnitude. In summary, changes in forestry can be due to the following changes: |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | low |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | low |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | |
Assessment | An assessment of vulnerabilities, including adaptability, has not yet been performed. The effects of hazards can be reduced or managed through the following adaptation measures: • Development of research. • Thinning of stands and planting of drought-resistant tree species. • Gradual transition from homogeneous and perennial forests to mixed forests of different ages • Adapting water resources (RBD) management plans to forest needs. • Gradual transition from homogeneous and one-century forests to mixed forests of different ages. • Improvement and development of forest fire protection and monitoring. • Application of selection methods in reforestation. • Optimization of logging works. • Special forest management projects adapted to river valleys and floodplains. • Adaptation plans to frequently flooded forest areas (installation and maintenance of drainage systems). • Improvement of road infrastructure in forest massifs. • Forest management works by abandoning clear-cutting, forming stands and thinning stands at forest edges. |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | not applicable |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | |
Assessment | A risk assessment of possible future effects has not been carried out at present and is planned for the future. |
Key affected sector(s) | tourism |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | low |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | |
Assessment | No hazard and exposure assessment has been performed for changes in frequency and magnitude. In summary, the changes in tourism may be due to the following changes: • Climate seasonality. • Shorter winter season, fewer days with snow. • Longer and warmer summers. • Extreme meteorological phenomena (heat waves, storms, splashes, etc.). • Increase in air and water pollution. • River runoff, floods and flash floods. |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | low |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | not applicable |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | |
Assessment | An assessment of vulnerabilities, including adaptability, has not yet been performed. The effects of hazards can be reduced or managed through the following adaptation measures: • Development of year-round tourist facilities and services. • Development of indoor tourist facilities in the regions. • Installation of controlled microclimate premises. • Development of an effective information and alert system. • Accounting and restricting tourist flows. • Monitoring and control of air and water pollution. • Development of ecological, cognitive and therapeutic (health) tourism. • Analysis of the needs of tourism service users. • Improving the regulatory environment and developing an information infrastructure on climate change. • Research on sensitivity, risk and possible adaptation measures. |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | not applicable |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | |
Assessment | A risk assessment of possible future effects has not been carried out at present and is planned for the future. |
Key affected sector(s) | transport |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | medium |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | |
Assessment | No hazard and exposure assessment has been performed for changes in frequency and magnitude. In summary, changes in the transport sector, depending on the mode of transport, may be due to the following changes: Roads and railways • Heat waves. • Extreme cold. • More frequent temperature fluctuations around 0 °C. • Heavy rainfall. • Floods and flash floods. • Storm. • Strong wind. • Icing. • Blizzards. • Thunderstorms. Aviation • Strong wind. • Decreased visibility. • Intensification of storms and convection processes. • Heavy rainfall. • Heat waves. • Extreme cold. • More frequent temperature fluctuations around 0 °C. Water transport • Water level fluctuations. • Drought and river sediment. • Floods and flash floods. • Ice phenomena. • Storm. |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | medium |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | medium |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | |
Assessment | An assessment of vulnerabilities, including adaptability, has not yet been performed. The effects of hazards can be reduced or managed through the following adaptation measures: Roads and railways • Development of information systems (IS) and research. • Increasing the resistance of transport infrastructure elements and road surfaces to the effects of extreme weather. • Improving operational meteorological service. • Staff training. • Vehicle speed, operating mode regulation. • Development of transport infrastructure. • Planning alternative routes. • Application of protective greenery and equipment. Aviation • IS and research development. • Increasing the resilience of airport infrastructure elements and aircraft to extreme weather events. • Staff training. • Strengthening international cooperation in the field of aviation meteorology. Water transport • Protective piers, berths at sea • Reconstruction of ports. • Dredging of waterways and port canals. • Staff training. • Regulation of traffic flows. • Development of river and seaport infrastructure. • Limitation of vehicle draft and load. • Strengthening international cooperation in the field of marine meteorology. |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | not applicable |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | |
Assessment | A risk assessment of possible future effects has not been carried out at present and is planned for the future. |
Key affected sector(s) | marine and fisheries |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | medium |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | |
Assessment | No hazard and exposure assessment has been performed for changes in frequency and magnitude. In summary, the changes in marine and fisheries may be due to the following changes: • Rising temperatures in air and water bodies. • Rising surface temperature and declining salinity in the Baltic Sea. • Increase in annual rainfall. • Snow surface instability, thickness and duration reduction. • Increase in river runoff and floods in winter, increase in precipitation in summer and autumn. • Increase in the recurrence of extreme hydrometeorological phenomena (droughts, floods). • Risk of reduced runoff from small rivers. • Rising water levels in the Baltic Sea and more frequent storms. |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | medium |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | not applicable |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | |
Assessment | An assessment of vulnerabilities, including adaptability, has not yet been performed. The effects of hazards can be reduced or managed through the following adaptation measures: • Develop research. • Reduce eutrophication of water bodies. • Do not allow by-catches to be disposed of as waste overboard. • Public education and consumer information. • Develop long-term plans for the management and recovery of fish stocks and integrate fisheries and aquaculture issues into strategies for other sectors. • Ensure migration of diadromous fish. |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | not applicable |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | |
Assessment | A risk assessment of possible future effects has not been carried out at present and is planned for the future. |
Key affected sector(s) | buildings |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | medium |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | |
Assessment | No hazard and exposure assessment has been performed for changes in frequency and magnitude. In summary, the changes in buildings may be due to the following changes: • Heat waves. • Strengthening of heat islands in cities. • Extreme air temperatures at different times of the year. • Rising water levels in the Baltic Sea. • Coastal erosion. • High fire risk of droughts and their years. • Heavy rainfall. • Floods and flash floods. • Storm. |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | medium |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | medium |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | |
Assessment | An assessment of vulnerabilities, including adaptability, has not yet been performed. The effects of hazards can be reduced or managed through the following adaptation measures: • Adapting the legal framework to climate change trends to address strategic planning challenges. • Multifunctional land use. • Restricting the development of areas vulnerable to climate factors. • Regulation of construction technologies and requirements. • Development and implementation of settlement models that reduce the formation of heat islands. • Quarterly planning. • Solving monofunctional building and communication problems. • Complex development of business and social infrastructure. • Reconstruction of the street network, improvement of traffic organization, development of public and ecological transport infrastructure. • Renovation of buildings. • Development of brownfields. • Monitoring and mapping of natural hazards. • Strategic and differentiated land use management. • Development of green infrastructure in urban areas. • Regulation of urban development. • Zoning of floodplains and regulation of construction in them. • Non-structural flood protection measures (afforestation, wetland restoration, implementation of agri-environmental measures). • Economic diversification and development of insurance services. • Involving the public in the planning process and raising awareness. |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | not applicable |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | |
Assessment | A risk assessment of possible future effects has not been carried out at present and is planned for the future. |
Key affected sector(s) | health |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | high |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | |
Assessment | In summary, changes in health be due to the following changes: • Changes in UV radiation. • Heat waves. • Cold waves. • Floods. • Drought. • Air pollution. • Prevalence of blood vessels and ticks. • Prevalence of pollen and other allergens in the environment. |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | high |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | high |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | |
Assessment | Adaptation of the public health sector to climate change is recommended: • To improve the microclimate and air quality in cities to expand green zones. • Adaptation of medical institutions (human and material resources, redistribution) to receive / service additional patient flows • To ensure a sufficient (estimated) amount of necessary medicines and nursing products in pharmacies. • A national register of people at risk or already affected by heat, cold and other natural disasters. • National Registry of Allergic Diseases. • Development of a preventive program (monitoring) for early diagnosis and monitoring of oncological skin diseases (risk groups). • Expand and improve education, information and warning actions. • Increase the number of influenza vaccinations for at-risk groups. • Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis in at-risk group. |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | not applicable |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | |
Assessment | A risk assessment of possible future effects has not been carried out at present and is planned for the future. |
Overview of institutional arrangements and governance at the national level
The implementation of the targets and objectives of the Agenda is based on the concept of the comprehensive plan of the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, contributes to the directions and principles of Lithuania’s Progress Strategy, to the goals and objectives of the National Progress Plan and the National Energy Independence Strategy as well as to the national security interests enshrined in the National Security Strategy in ensuring the sustainable development of the State.
Lithuania is also updating its National Energy and Climate Action plan (NECP) to meet the updated targets. The primary strategic documents integrated into the NECP are the National Energy Independence Strategy, approved in June 2018, the Agenda 2021 update and the National Air Pollution Reduction Plan updated in August 2022. Lithuania also plans to prepare its National Adaptation plan according to the EU guidelines currently under development.
Currently, there are no sectoral adaptation plans in Lithuania.
A study on the sensitivity and vulnerability of Lithuanian municipalities to climate change is being prepared in 2023. The assessment identifyed the future climate change impacts on municipalities, the sensitive and vulnerable sectors, the risks and vulnerability at municipalities, and the main perspectives to adapt.
In The Lithuanian National Risk Assessment (2018) the following phenomena have been identified as posing a very high risk to Lithuania: natural, catastrophic and meteorological phenomena; epizootics; flooding; epidemics and/or pandemics. In 2021 focuses more on scenario development and mapping, presents the impact of climate change, and describes prevention, preparedness, and response measures.
1.to apply flood protection measures to all residents in flood-prone areas
2.to ensure that the share of climate-related economic losses in the country’s GDP does not exceed 0.08% per year
3.the proportion of dangerous, natural disasters and catastrophic meteorological events predicted is at least 90% of the actual events
1.A lack of awareness of risks of climate change, the need to adapt, impacts among different sectors and general population, lack of assessment of measures needed to be taken and their impact in future, lack of insurance coverage of assets, leading to substantial losses
2.Losses incurred due to climate change are the largest in agricultural sector, with extreme events affecting farm productivity (especially crop production)
3.Transport sector is highly dependent on climate conditions. Extreme weather conditions disrupt air, water, rail and road traffic and road surfaces are damaged due to temperature fluctuations. Failure to impose road traffic restrictions during hot weather damages the road surface
4.Electricity distribution network infrastructure is vulnerable, especially in forested areas, to factors induced by extreme weather conditions (storms, snowstorms, etc.) leading to power outages and threats to consumer safety
5.No long-term accounting system for losses and damages resulting from climate change that would objectively assess the magnitude of losses at the country and sectoral level and encourage faster implementation of adaptation measures. Methodologies for assessing damage are ineffectively applied, a lack of research and analysis on impacts of climate change, vulnerability and sensitivity and effectiveness of adaptation measures. A lack of knowledge and awareness of consequences of climate change and need to adapt to it at institutional level, especially at municipal and societal levels
6.A lack of initiative and expertise in municipalities and a lack of participation in planning and implementation of regionally relevant adaptation plans and measures
7.Inadequate risk assessment and a lack of investment in management measures
8.A lack of focus on nature-based solutions, which often help to cope with risks and add value to the well-being of population
The NECP contains 55 planned policy measures to adapt to climate change by 2030 for 9 sector-related fields of action. 33 measures have started to be implemented in 2023.
Funding of planned climate change adaptation measures in NECP in a total of EUR 3,303.3 million is needed, of which EUR 260.4 million is for the water sector, EUR 247 million for forestry, ecosystems, biodiversity and landscape, EUR 850 million for transport, EUR 666 million for infrastructure, EUR 1,073.1 million for agriculture, EUR 125 million for public health, EUR 68.1 million for emergency management and EUR 13.6 million for intersectoral objectives. The main sources of public funds in 2021-2030 will consist of the 2021-2027 EU fund (European Regional Development and Cohesion Funds) investments, electricity and heat tariffs, Climate Change Programme, Waste Management Programme, and State and municipal budgets). At the end of 2023, the information will be evaluated.
For developing sectoral programmes and other strategic documents, targeted working groups involving relevant stakeholders were created. These working groups usually play an important role in selecting specific measures or setting monitoring indicators, also identifying and addressing knowledge gaps in different sectors. A working group for National risk assessment is established and updated the document in 2021 and included climate change projections in it.
The main task of the project was to resolve the issue of accumulation of precipitation water in an artificially created hollow on T. Narbuto street, resulting in the flooding of the street and traffic interruptions.
The design provides for the reconstruction, by the microtunnelling method, and/or installation of a new surface runoff collector pipe DN/OD1600mm, with the re-connection of existing networks, and the construction of a modern wastewater treatment plant. The actual wastewater flow rate will be measured downstream of the plant and pollutant level sensors of the monitoring system will record critical concentrations of oil pollutants and solid particles.
This is the first municipal surface runoff management system in Lithuania designed in a 3D environment according to the BIM digital information modelling technology and standards. 3D models and visualisations developed for both existing and new engineering networks, surface runoff treatment facilities and part of the land plot layout have helped to optimise the work and to adopt the best solution.
The project also involved the development of a separate hydraulic model for the calculation of surface runoff quantities.
Selection of actions and (programmes of) measures
Spending used to support climate adaptation in each sector in 2013-2017:
Cross-cutting goals and objectives - 10,1 mln. EUR
Agriculture and soil - 184,5 mln. EUR
Forestry, ecosystems, biodiversity, landscape - 11,1 mln. EUR
Water resources - 137,4 mln. EUR
Public health - 143 TEUR
The next evaluation is planned for the end of 2023 together with the preparation of an updated adaptation plan.
Good practices and lessons learnt
Cooperation and experience
Overview of institutional arrangements and governance at the sub-national level (where “sub-national” refers to local and regional)
The guidelines for municipalities on preparing climate adaptation plans were developed by the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania in 2017. No adaptation strategies or plans have been prepared by the Lithuanian municipalities after it.
No adaptation strategies or plans have been prepared under the Covenant of Mayor's initiative by the Lithuanian municipalities. Only the municipalities of Panevezys district and Klaipeda city developed adaptation action plans to improve local adaptive capacity and infrastructure resilience. The municipalities have developed emergency management plans, and some of them included climate change risk in it. However, 8 Lithuanian cities (Alytus City, Kedainiai District Municipality, Klaipeda City, Panevežys City, Taurage District Municipality, Ukmerge District Municipality, Utena District Municipality and Vilnius City) participate in the EU mission 'Adaptation to climate change'.
In 2022 different stakeholders had been involved to identify the sensitivity and vulnerability of Lithuanian municipalities to climate change. The different specialists from various fields and organizations had been involved and expressed their opinion about the seven sectors selected for the assessment (public health; agriculture; biodiversity, ecosystem services and forestry; water resources and the coastal zone; energy; infrastructure; extreme situations) that are affected by the effects of climate change. The result had been used to identify the risk and most vulnerable municipality.
Good practices and lessons learnt
Climate risk communication; Stakeholder engagement
In 2020-2022, in addition to events organised by the Ministry of Environment and other governmental institutions, municipalities, together with the public, NGOs, and educational institutions were also invited to organise their own events during Climate Week. The municipal interest grows every year, 2022 Climate Week was dedicated to the adaptation to climate change in the municipalities, and the conference 'Climate change and cities: will flowering meadows help sinking streets?' was organised.
Adaptation priorities; Coordination mechanisms
The current situation shows that municipalities need more knowledge on how to implement climate change policies at the municipal level. To fill this knowledge gap, guidelines have been developed together with experts from Norway, to help local authorities to achieve their objectives. However, no municipality has made use of the guidelines to prepare its adaptation plan. This showed that municipalities still lack knowledge of what threats they should prepare for to become more resilient.
Disaster risk reduction and management, innovative adaptation solutions and innovative financing mechanisms
In Lithuania the practice of removing river dams has gained popularity in recent years. The objective is to revive the natural flow of rivers and their ecosystems while preventing flooding in downstream areas. Salantas River dam removal reinstated the river's natural floodplain, provided better habitats for fish, birds. Brazuole River dam demolition enhanced the river's natural flow. Dubysa River dam removal facilitated restoration of river's natural ecosystem and improved fish migration.