Government sets up Climate and Energy Ministry

RIGA - The government on Tuesday formally decided to set up the Climate and Energy Ministry by reorganizing the Ministries of Economy and Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

As LETA reported, the Saeima has confirmed Raimonds Cudars as Climate and Energy Ministry. 

The new ministry will start work on January 1, 2023. 

According to the government-approved plan, the Climate and Energy Ministry will take over energy-related matters (excluding the accumulation and supervision of oil reserves) from the Ministry of Economy and climate  policy related matters from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

Until the adoption of Latvia's 2023 budget, the new ministry's functions will be financed from the budget funds of the Ministries of Economy and Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

The new Climate and Energy Ministry will take over 48.5 jobs from the Ministries of Economy and Environmental Protection and Regional Development, including the Departments of Climate Change, Energy Market and Infrastructure, as well as Sustainable Energy Policy Department. 

All three ministers were given until January 6 to form a commission for the reorganization of the ministries. 

The Climate and Energy Ministry will become the holder of state-owned shares in the Environment Investment Fund. 

The Climate and Energy Ministry's main function will including working out Latvia's national climate and energy policy and ensure its implementation.

The ministry will coordinate the implementation of international agreements and conventions, Latvia's participation in the European Union's emissions quota trading system, ensure the stock taking of Latvia's greenhouse gas emissions and  will take part in climate change projects. 

The Climate and Energy Ministry will also be in charge of planning and managing measures to prevent energy crises.