The Government of Georgia unveiled its first-ever Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (Lt-LEDS) 2050, which was officially adopted on 24 April 2023. The Lt-LEDS sets the stage for Georgia’s carbon-neutral future and will be instrumental in updating the national Climate Action Plan 2023-2025, outlining a clear roadmap towards sustainable, low-emission growth.
The Lt-LEDS adheres to the main principles of the Paris Agreement and aligns with Georgia’s unique national realities. It serves as a vital compass, providing essential guidance on greenhouse gas reduction trajectories and presenting priority measures tailored to specific sectors, including energy, building, transport, industry, agriculture, waste, land use, and forestry.
This groundbreaking document, developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture in collaboration with public agencies and civil society partners, received significant support from the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Working closely with the Government, civil society, and international partners, the EU and UNDP, through their regional EU4Climate programme, provided technical assistance, consultancy, and expert support in developing Georgia’s first-ever Lt-LEDS in line with the best practices of the EU Member States.
“The Government of Georgia is strongly committed to addressing climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for our citizens,” said Otar Shamugia, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, at the public presentation of the Lt-LEDS held in Tbilisi on 17 July. “This Low-Emission Development Strategy sets a clear course towards carbon neutrality and will guide our efforts to create a climate-resilient economy and protect our environment for generations to come.”
“The European Union commends Georgia on the adoption of its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy. We are proud to have supported Georgia in shaping its vision for carbon neutrality and smart technology development and look forward to continued collaboration in its implementation,” said H.E. Pawel Herczynski, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia.
Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia, noted that the Lt-LEDS marks a significant milestone for Georgia’s sustainable development journey. “We congratulate the Government of Georgia on this achievement and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the country’s efforts in realizing its climate ambitions.”
The other speakers at the event included Romeo Mikautadze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia; Maia Bitadze, Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources; Nino Tandilashvili, Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia; and Maia Tskhvaradze, Head of Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
