Latvia commits to a review of existing tax policies with the aim to provide fiscal incentives to improve waste management, reduce landfilling, enhance efficient use of resources and transition from natural resources to secondary materials. The commitment will set out clear provisions regarding the application of the Natural Resources Tax for waste management activities, in particular, disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The review is planned to set the Natural Resources Tax for different subjects to stimulate sorting and separate collection of waste, recycling, recovery and re-use, as well as encourage sustainable production and consumption patterns and use of secondary resources. The increased tax rate for waste disposal will reduce the volumes of waste in landfills while stimulating waste management companies to switch to other more favourable waste treatment options, such as recycling or reuse. Moreover, this instrument will result in an increase of separate waste collection and reduction of mixed waste volumes.
Latvia commits to creating a strategy that defines the goals and activities for the nation’s transition to low carbon development. The strategy will provide long-term incentives for businesses, municipalities and the general public to change production, lifestyle and consumption patterns. It will provide the basis for mid-term development planning documents and measures. The Strategy will address all sectors of the national economy, including, energy, transport, agriculture and forestry. It will take into account the current national situation including Latvia’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity and EU and international climate change policies. The commitment intends to reduce economy-wide GHG emissions, enhance resource efficiency, change business and consumer behaviour, support innovation, improve health through less pollution, provide career opportunities for new specialist and entrepreneurs and create investment opportunities for institutional investors in low-carbon projects.
Latvia commits to developing green public procurement procedures. The procedures will apply to specific product groups including office paper, office IT equipment, office furniture, food and catering services, cleaning products and services, indoor lighting, traffic signals and several other voluntary product groups. The country also commits to developing a “calculator” of life-cycle costs for energy consuming products groups. This calculator will help develop guidelines of for green procurement. Under this commitment, Latvia will prepare and submit to the Cabinet of Ministers annual reports on the implementation of green public procurement. Latvia will also organise methodological workshops and trainings for state and local governments. The commitment also includes the implementation of awareness-raising activities for additional stakeholders on green procurement and green public procurement. The commitment will result in a more efficient use of resources, incentives for sustainable production and consumption, fueling the transition towards sustainable production and consumption.