Special High-Level Event on Climate Action, UNGA80 HLW
Statement by H.E. Mr Alar Karis, President of Estonia
24 September 2025, New York
Secretary-General, honoured colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
Secretary-General, I extend my gratitude for convening this significant event. I highly appreciate your personal leadership on climate action.
Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. It destroys homes, livelihoods and ecosystems while fuelling instability and insecurity. COP30 in Brazil must be a turning point, with strong action plans aligned with the Paris Agreement. Ten years after its adoption, we now see real progress in clean technologies, competitive industries, and opportunities for a just transition.
Excellences,
Estonia is fully committed to climate neutrality by 2050 and to multilateral climate cooperation. We have already reduced emissions by 63% compared to 1990, showing our determination to meet future goals. As part of the EU, our NDC for COP30 reflects this strong commitment and responsibility to secure our nature and climate.
Tripling renewable energy production by 2030, as agreed during COP28 in Dubai, is the most effective way to reduce emissions. Once dependent on oil shale, Estonia now generates around 40% of its electricity from renewables, with solar capacity growing 25 times in just five years. By 2035, we aim for 80% clean electricity. Together with Finland and Latvia, we are building new electricity connections to support renewable energy.
We will soon adopt the Climate Resilient Economy Act, aligning climate, economic, and nature policies. By law, 30% of land and sea will be protected, and a new vehicle tax is already steering drivers toward cleaner cars.
Colleagues,
Innovation is central to our approach. Estonia develops smart rainwater systems to reduce flood risks, and applies digital and responsible AI tools for smart energy, precision agriculture, and climate monitoring.
These strengthen resilience and evidence-based policymaking. As new technologies can also sometimes bring along environmental impacts and dependencies, the green transition must remain sustainable.
Estonia shares our technical and digital expertise globally, and contributes 1.5 million euro annually to developing countries to tackle climate change. Yet nearly 10% of the world still lacks electricity, and over 2 billion people rely on polluting cooking fuels that harm both health and the environment, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. With solar and wind now affordable, clean energy must reach everyone.
Finally, Russia’s war against Ukraine reminds us that conflict intensifies environmental destruction and global insecurity, with constant bombardment poisoning ecosystems, and harming health. Climate action is therefore also a peace and security issue. Thank you.