Download There are several reasons for the reduction in emissions in

There are several reasons for the reduction in emissions in the Republic of Belarus.
The first reason is rapid fall in GHG emissions during 1990-1995 period due to economic
recession and the subsequent decrease in production and fuel consumption after disintegration of
Soviet Union in 1990.
However, from 1995, a period of economic growth commenced, in the course of which the per
capita gross domestic product (with account of purchasing power parity) demonstrated a 4.5-time
increase by 2012. GHG emissions also increased due to the growth of production, increased fuel
consumption and increased volumes of landfilled waste. However, the emissions increase rate is
significantly lower than the GDP growth rate (Figure below).
Figure – GHG emissions and GDP in 1995-2012, 1995=100%.
The average annual GDP growth during the 1995-2012 period was 7.9 per cent, while the
average annual increase of greenhouse gas emissions during the same period was 0.4 per cent.
The carbon intensity of the economy during the period 1995-2012 decreased 3.9 times; this is the
fastest rate of progress towards achieving low-carbon development parameters in Europe.
The trend of emissions, in particular after 2000, along with GDP growth is fully depends on
implementation of mitigation policy in Belarus that includes number of national strategies and
programmes, and other legal acts in energy efficiency in all sectors of national economy, in
promoting of renewable energy sources, so called “environmental measures” that includes
resource saving technologies and recycling of second rural materials, as well as improving of
waste management practice etc.
One of the key legal act that describes main directions and targets of mitigation policy of the
Republic of Belarus is State Programme on Mitigation Actions for 2013-2020. This programme
was developed with referenced to the Programme on Mitigation Actions for 2008-2012 that have
been already implemented. This programme envisages GHG emission reduction of not less than
by 10 million tons in CO2eq for 2013 – 2020. In particular, this programme includes mitigation
and adaptation component, measures to improve the monitoring system of the climate change, as
well as international cooperation.
The full list of national policy and measures is provided in the 6th National
Communication.