Long-Term Low Emission Development (LT-LEDS) sets a range of national targets for GHG emission reduction by 2050: the methodology and approach agreed with stakeholders
An inception online workshop with up to 40 participants took place to discuss the vision on developing the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy 2050 (LT-LEDS) of Georgia. The targeted stakeholders included policy makers in the environment and climate change related ministries and agencies, as well as the representatives of IOs, NGOs and thematic experts.
LT-LEDS Georgia is planned to be developed within the scope of the EU4Climate project, which is a regional initiative, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in six Eastern Partnership countries. A national implementing partner of the EU4Climate project in Georgia is the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MoEPA), while the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus) is responsible to develop the LT-LEDS.
“Now is a time to think big,” said UNDP Head Louisa Vinton. “The COVID-19 pandemic shows that ‘business as usual’ is not an option for the planet. This process is designed to help Georgia map out a truly visionary path to a carbon-neutral future that can yield both prosperity and a healthy environment by 2050.”
“The EU4Climate programme assists Georgia and the other Eastern Partnership countries in fulfilling climate and energy commitments undertaken under the EU Association Agreement and the Energy Community Treaty,” said Alexandre Darras, Team Leader on Connectivity, Energy, Environment & Climate Change at the EU Delegation to Georgia. “We welcome the Government’s commitment to adopt a long-term low-emission development strategy that will make national development climate-compatible.”
Ms Nino Tandilashvili, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia stated: “Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy 2050 (LT-LEDS) is an important document and tool for Georgia to help the country in planning climate change mitigation and meeting its commitments under UNFCCC, to support investment in low-emission economic growth, manage natural resources in a way that promotes sustainable economic growth and improve Georgia’s climate resilience”.
During the workshop, RECC project team, consist of national and international experts introduced the vision and detailed methodology, as well as scope and structure of the Low Emission Development Strategy 2050 document. The purpose of the LT LEDS is to ensure well-planned, steady and smooth transition to low-emission and sustainable path for economic and social development. It is envisaged as a forward-looking plan of actions focusing on achieving a mid-century quantitative target for national GHG emission reduction.
It was agreed that the LT LEDS will set a range of national GHG emission reduction by 2050 and will provide tentative indicators for GHG emission reduction for the CC policy and measures, conducted in the country throughout the years 2020-2050.A long-term gender-sensitive strategy will also support the country to fulfil the commitment taken under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and assist in environmentally sound, low-carbon and climate-wise long-term planning in the following sectors: Energy, Buildings, Transport, Industry (IPPU), Agriculture, Land-Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) and Waste.
LT-LEDS is being implemented under the project EU4Climate, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The Consultancy Contract with REC Caucasus is financed by UNDP.