Lithuania: environment

What are Lithuania's greenhouse gas emissions?

Lithuania emitted 18.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in CO2 equivalent in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to Eurostat's greenhouse gas emissions data.

The figures come from the national inventory that Lithuania reports to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the EU. They cover carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases, converted to CO2 equivalents. Land use, land-use change and forestry are excluded from this total because forests can absorb as well as emit carbon.

Official sources: Eurostat: Greenhouse gas emissions by source sector (env_air_gge)

How much of Lithuania's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources provided 38.5% of Lithuania's gross final energy consumption in 2025, according to Eurostat's renewable energy data. In electricity, the renewable share was 59.9%. Both 2025 figures are provisional.

The overall share is calculated under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and covers electricity, heating and cooling, and transport. The electricity share compares electricity produced from renewable sources with gross electricity consumption.

Official sources: Eurostat: Share of energy from renewable sources (nrg_ind_ren)

How much CO2 does Lithuania emit per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Lithuania was 4.5 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 5.1 tonnes; its low point was 2009, at 4.2 tonnes. It is 27th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.1 tonnes. Worldwide: 53rd of 186.

What are Lithuania's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 21.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Lithuania is 35th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 117th highest.

How much renewable energy does Lithuania use?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 33.2%. The peak was 33.8% in 2017 and the low 17.1% in 2007. It is 15th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 20.4%. Worldwide: 75th of 191.

What is Lithuania's forest cover?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Lithuania at 35.4% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 33.2%, and Lithuania placed 22nd highest of 51. Worldwide: 85th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Lithuania?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Lithuania was 10.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 33rd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. Worldwide: 150th of 192.

What share of Lithuania is protected land?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Lithuania was 18.0% in 2025. No year since 2013 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.1%; Lithuania is 33rd highest of 51. Worldwide: 94th of 192.

How much of Lithuania's fresh water is used?

According to the FAO, water stress in Lithuania was 2.2% in 2022. The peak was 17.0% in 2005 and the low 1.8% in 2018. It is 42nd highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 12.6%. Worldwide: 145th of 175.