Lithuania

The country’s framework for public participation is grounded in the Government’s Rules of Procedure and the Law on Legislative Framework, both of which require consultation on all significant draft laws. Digital platforms such as the E-Citizen and Legislative Information System portals enable citizens to provide feedback on proposed laws during mandatory consultation periods, while government agencies are required to respond to public comments. In 2025, the city of Vilnius held its very first citizens’ assembly on urban development. In the capital city, motor transport accounts for the largest share of GHG emissions, affecting  Vilnius's air quality and health. The citizens’ assembly has offered an opportunity for residents to decide how the city can achieve its climate neutrality goals under the Vilnius Sustainable Mobility Plan 2030. 

Overall, Lithuania is heading steadfastly down the green economy track. In the 2026 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), the country ranked 9th globally, placing it among the high-performing states and reflecting a significant rise in recent years. Lithuania is one of the few EU member states to adopt national renewable energy and energy use targets more ambitious than those put in place per the EU legislative framework. It has also undergone the fastest renewable electricity transformation in the EU, becoming the first European country to eliminate dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Over the past four years Lithuania has increased its solar and wind power generation roughly fourfold. By April 2026, solar and wind covered 84% of national electricity demand. These efforts are guided by the 2021–2030 National Energy and Climate Plan (updated in 2024), the “Lithuania 2050” Strategy centred on the European Green Deal, and the National Progress Plan, which embeds sustainability targets across government ministries. Lithuania also participates in EU-wide carbon pricing mechanisms through the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which regulates emissions from major sectors such as energy generation and heavy industry. 

However Lithuania’s progress in nature-related green policies is less consistent. Lithuania still relies on an outdated national biodiversity strategy from 1998, and while newer environmental plans exist, ecosystem accounting and biodiversity governance remain at an early stage. Terrestrial protected areas cover only about 18% of land, and agriculture continues to generate roughly one-fifth of national GHG emissions. Environmentally harmful subsidies persist in sectors like agriculture, and although restoration initiatives are expanding, stronger implementation and long-term policy coordination are still needed to meet global biodiversity goals.

Lithuania’s story is one that illustrates how small states are increasingly  positioning themselves as green-economy high-performers. Lithuania’s ambitious green economy planning and climate policies alongside its commitment to civic engagement suggest it is well-placed to continue advancing towards a more sustainable and green future - only time will tell.