PROJECT FUNDED BY:
The National Research Program of the Latvian Science Council “Decision-making Support System for Achieving Climate Neutrality Goals”
Project no. VPP-KEM-Klimatneitralitāte-2023/1-0002
Contract/reg no. 0B000-3.1.2.1-e/49
PROJECT DURATION:
February 7, 2024 – February 6, 2026
PROJECT BUDGET:
Total: 1 162 500,00 EUR
RTU: 779 502,00 EUR
SCIENTIFIC LEADER OF THE PROJECT:
Dagnija Blumberga
PUBLISHED:
14.03.2024.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
GRAPHIC IDENTITY:
On January 27, 2025, a roundtable discussion on climate neutrality in agriculture with policymakers took place. This time, we focused on emissions in the agricultural sector – they are generated in both livestock and crop production, including in the process of agricultural soil management. RTU VASSI, in collaboration with partners from the University of Latvia, Riga Stradiņš University and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, is developing a modeling tool that will allow policymakers and other interested parties to analyze the reduction of GHG emissions by implementing various carbon neutrality measures.
On January 27, 2025, a scientific article titled “Organic versus Conventional Agriculture: Comparison of Economic and Environmental Sustainability“, was published in the journal “Environmental and Climate Technologies” by Lauma Balode, Ieva Pakere, Ilze Luksta, and Dagnija Blumberga. The study evaluates the environmental and economic aspects of conventional wheat production and dairy farming, comparing their sustainability based on composite sustainability indexes. The results of the study indicate that organic agriculture has stronger environmental sustainability but requires substantial financial support.
On December 13, 2024, Professor Dagnija Blumberga participated in the LTV1 program “What is happening in Latvia?” on the topic of the discussion “What will happen to the green course and climate neutrality in Latvia? Energy efficiency.” More information here: https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/kas-notiek-latvija/raidijumi/13.12.2024-video-diskusija-kas-notiks-ar-zalo-kursu-un-klimatneitralitati-latvija-energoefektivitate.a580079/?utm_source=lsm&utm_medium=article-bottom&utm_campaign=article
On December 12, 2024, RTU VASSI, together with project partners – the University of Latvia, Riga Stradins University and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences – visited the Ministry of Climate and Energy. During the visit, the second version of the sector GHG emissions model and its interface were presented, as well as the recommendations and ideas of the Ministry of Climate and Energy were heard. This process is essential for the model to effectively meet the needs of industry experts and policymakers. The model is particularly important because it allows for the analysis of various solutions for reducing carbon emissions, comparing paths to climate neutrality and assessing the impact on national growth. The model will help policymakers make data-based decisions to promote sustainable development.
On November 23, 2024, the scientific article “Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Emissions Across European Countries” was published in the journal “Environmental and Climate Technologies” by Ilze Luksta, Ieva Pakere, Ilze Vamža, Veronika Liberova, and Dagnija Blumberga. This study compares greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in various European countries relative to GDP and population in 2022. The results indicate significant potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture by 2030.
On November 20, 2024, the third climate neutrality modeling workshop took place, together with partners from the University of Latvia, Riga Stradiņš University and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. This time, the workshop was dedicated to representatives of the waste management sector. We presented the first version of the sector’s GHG emissions model and its interface to the participants, as well as listened to valuable suggestions for further improvement of the model and interface. These discussions contribute to the practical applicability of the project results and ensure their compliance with the needs of decision-makers.
A transport sector modeling workshop was held on June 26, 2024, attended by transport sector experts: policy makers and implementers, municipalities, municipal and other transport companies, fuel traders, scientists. Mental models were created within the framework of the workshop.
On June 4, 2024, an agricultural sector modeling workshop was held, attended by agricultural experts: policymakers and implementers, scientists, and representatives of the Agricultural Organizations Cooperation Council and the Rural Support Service. Mental models were created within the framework of the workshop.
From May 15-17, 2024, the international scientific conference “International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies” took place in Rīga, Latvia. Scientists and researchers from around the world attended the conference, discussing environmental topics such as environmental technologies, biotechnology, climate technologies, bioeconomics, circular economy, and more. Lauma Balode presented a poster titled “Organic versus Conventional Agriculture: Comparison of Economic and Environmental Sustainability“, which analyzed the impact of organic and conventional agriculture on greenhouse gas emissions, economic and environmental sustainability, offering a comparison and recommendations for future agricultural development. Ilze Luksta presented a study on “Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Emissions Across European Countries“, kurā tika analizētas siltumnīcefekta gāzu emisijas lauksaimniecībā dažādās Eiropas valstīs, salīdzinot tās ar iekšzemes kopproduktu (IKP) un iedzīvotāju skaitu, kā arī pēta iespējas samazināt emisijas līdz 2030. gadam.
On April 14, 2024, a scientific article titled “Comparison of the Economic and Environmental Sustainability for Different Peatland Strategies” was published in the journal “Land” by Lauma Balode and Dagnija Blumberga. This study compares the economic costs and benefits of peatland restoration strategies and alternative uses of peat, using the composite index method. The results indicate that the production of insulation boards and the cultivation of paludicultures are economically viable strategies with significant potential for income generation
On March 15, 2024, the release “We are starting to implement a project within the framework of the National Research Program “Decision-making support system for achieving climate neutrality goals”.
More information here: https://videszinatne.rtu.lv/en/we-are-starting-to-implement-a-project-within-the-framework-of-the-national-research-program-decision-making-support-system-for-achieving-climate-neutrality-goals/
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
2025
- Balode, L., Pakere, I., Luksta, I., Blumberga, D. Organic versus Conventional Agriculture: Comparison of Economic and Environmental Sustainability. Environmental and Climate Technologies, 2025, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 1-20. ISSN 1691-5208. e-ISSN 2255-8837. Available: doi:10.2478/rtuect-2025-0001
2024
- Balode, L., Blumberga, D. Comparison of the Economic and Environmental Sustainability for Different Peatland Strategies. Land, 2024, Vol. 13, No. 4, Article number 518. e-ISSN 2073-445X. Available: doi:10.3390/land13040518
- Luksta, I., Pakere, I., Vamža, I., Liberova, V., Blumberga, D. Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Emissions Across European Countries. Environmental and Climate Technologies, 2024, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 738-748. ISSN 1691-5208. e-ISSN 2255-8837. Available: doi:10.2478/rtuect-2024-0057
CONFERENCES
2024
- International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies (CONECT 2024), May 15-17, 2024 | Lauma Balode | Organic versus Conventional Agriculture: Comparison of Economic and Environmental Sustainability
- International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies (CONECT 2024), May 15-17, 2024 | Ilze Luksta | Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Emissions Across European Countries
