Riga, Latvia

Riga is the capital and largest city in Latvia, with its 703,581 inhabitants making it the largest city in the Baltic States. Riga is one of the major industrial, commercial, cultural and financial centres of the Baltics, and an important seaport, situated at the mouth of the Daugava. The city's historical centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is particularly notable for its extensive German Art Nouveau architecture, which UNESCO considers to be unparalleled anywhere in the world.

Riga recently introduced a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) which outlines how the city will reduce its CO₂ emissions with more than 20 per cent by 2020. The SEAP has received political approval and been submitted to the Covenant of Mayors office.

To read the SEAP, click here.

Sustainability focus: Biomass production

Riga city is the second largest owner of forests in Latvia after the state itself. Currently, the total area covered by forestland properties of the city which have developed historically and are scattered all over the territory of Latvia is about 56,000 ha. The forests owned by Riga are managed by a company, which is oriented towards obtaining funds to maintain the forests, establish recreational territories and provide high-quality forest planting material.

There has also been an economic assessment of the possibility of making woodchips. In cooperation with the Latvian State Forest Research Institute the cultivation of selected quick-growing sorts of osiers suitable for Latvian conditions has commenced. In 2008, the first biomass was harvested and work continues in this area.

Achievements:

• Riga was the first European capital to sign the Covenant of Mayors
• The city was shortlisted for the European Mobility Week Award 2010

"Too many Europeans rely on their cars even for short journeys. The increased pollution and congestion harm the environment but also our health. European Mobility Week promotes local authorities that successfully encourage people to use other ways of travelling, thereby improving their health and the quality of life in cities. I hope that Almada, Murcia and Riga will inspire many cities across Europe.”

Janez Potočnik,
European Commissioner for the Environment

ICLEI and Riga: Riga has been an ICLEI member since 1993. The city participated in several projects coordinated by ICLEI, including Managing Urban Europe 25 and Sustainment. Riga is also involved in the Baltic EcoRegion project, which ICLEI supports as an expert on sustainability management.


Websites: www.riga.lv/EN/Channels/About_Riga and www.riga.lv [In Latvian]