GORNO-ALTAYSK, Jul 25 (BelTA/APP): Belarus will not be complacent with its current achievements in addressing environmental challenges and will continue to intensify efforts in environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management, Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin said at the plenary session “Environmental Challenges: On the Path to Sustainable Development” at the International Environmental Conference held at the Manzherok resort in Russia’s Altai Republic, BelTA has learned.
Alekasndr Turchin noted that thanks to systematic and targeted efforts, Belarus currently ranks 32nd out of 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). He emphasized that work is being carried out across all key environmental sectors.
“Water resources, as a vital natural asset, are a national treasure in all countries. Belarus is home to over 20,000 watercourses and 10,000 lakes. Our national water protection policy is based on principles of improving the ecological state of surface water bodies and preventing pollution, siltation, and depletion. Water efficiency is assessed through the integration of recycling and reuse systems in industrial processes. Despite economic growth, Belarus has reduced water consumption by 24% compared to 2000 levels,” Aleksandr Turchin stated.
Regarding international climate obligations, Aleksandr Turchin reported: “Under the Paris Agreement, Belarus aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35-40% from 1990 levels by 2030 – a target already exceeded. Work is underway to set a new, more ambitious emission reduction goal for 2035.”
According to him, the share of renewable energy (wind, hydro, solar) in Belarus’ total heat and electricity supply has reached 7.3%.
Belarus has seen rapid growth in electric mobility, Aleksandr Turchin added. The number of electric passenger cars surged 3.4-fold in 2024. Electric public transport now accounts for over 40% of Minsk’s urban transit and continues to grow.
“The specially protected natural areas form the ecological framework of our country. Belarus has achieved significant results and demonstrates substantial progress in this direction, particularly over the past decade. The country’s existing system comprises 1,355 specially protected natural areas. As a result of systematic work, the area of protected natural territories has been steadily increasing and currently exceeds 1.9 million hectares, accounting for 9.2% of the country’s territory,” Aleksandr Turchin stated.