The President emphasized that if no effective and global measures to curb climate change were taken in time, consequences could be catastrophic for all the countries in world. Global warming results in the expansion of the deserts, reduction of arable land and scarcity of water and other natural resources, which fuels armed conflicts and growing migration.
According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lithuania has made significant progress in fighting atmospheric pollution and is ready to join the EU's ambitious goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030.
"Lithuania has successfully proved that the sustainable development of the state can be nature-friendly. Over 25 years of independence, we have reduced atmospheric pollution by as much as 56 percent, we produce 23 percent of our total energy from renewables, and our economy has grown by one third over the same period," the President said.
Dalia Grybauskaitė pointed out that a global agreement binding all countries to combat climate change is useful for Lithuania as it increases energy security, reduces dependence on fossil fuel imports, encourages businesses and industry to invest into renewables, energy efficiency and innovative green technologies.
Environment ministers will hold further talks on the final agreement to stem climate change.
The Conference, scheduled for ten days, has gathered 147 top-level delegations and around 40 thousand participants. Over 3000 journalists from all over the world have come to cover the progress of the Conference.
