Informal interactive dialogue on Accelerating the Global Energy Transition: Advancing Renewables, Energy Efficiency and International Cooperation
Statementent delivered by Ms. Katri Lõhmus, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Mission of Estonia to the UN
New York, 24 July
Thank you, Madam President
Estonia is firmly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. We support the EU target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, as well as the goals of tripling renewable energy capacity and transitioning away from fossil fuels, as agreed during COP28 in Dubai. These objectives guide Estonia’s climate and energy policies.
Compared to 1990, our greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 66%, largely due to transformation in the energy sector. Once heavily dependent on oil shale, Estonia has rapidly expanded renewables: in the past five years, solar power capacity has increased more than 13 times, wind power capacity has more than doubled, and today around 40% of our electricity consumption comes from domestic renewable sources.
Looking ahead, Estonia aims to achieve 80% clean electricity consumption by 2035, mainly through new onshore wind farms providing clean, secure, and affordable energy.
Today’s volatile energy markets show clearly that dependence on imported fossil fuels is a vulnerability. The fastest and most affordable path forward is greater clean energy production and energy efficiency. Estonia is therefore investing in electricity interconnections with neighbouring countries and modern energy infrastructure that strengthens resilience and energy security.
Estonia is also a tech nation. Since 2016, the number of Estonian cleantech companies has increased tenfold. We are home to science-based global leaders in energy storage, energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and electrolyser technologies for hydrogen production. Technology is a key enabler of a just and inclusive energy transition.
Internationally, Estonia remains committed to climate finance and partnerships that support resilience, clean energy access, and forest protection in vulnerable countries. Strengthening international climate and energy partnerships and continuing climate diplomacy in line with the Paris Agreement are key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to climate change. We welcome the recent letter of the COP31 Presidency – Türkiye and Australia -, which commits to advancing clean energy as a key priority.
Finally, Estonia reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine. For more than four years, Russia has carried out brutal and deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including renewable energy facilities. These acts are a blatant violation of international law. We commend Ukraine for continuing its clean energy transition even under the most difficult circumstances.
Thank you.