Currently there is no specific plan to use taxes to improve state goals in relation to climate neutrality in Latvia, said Economy Minister Ralfs Nemiro at a press conference after a government meeting on January 28.
In the government’s approved Economy Ministry’s developed National Energy and Climate Plan for 2030 it is proposed reaching “green” goals using tax policy.
One of the main activities is assessing the opportunity for reviewing real estate tax benefits within the framework of tax policy guidelines and local governments.
After the government meeting, the minister stressed that it was currently not possible to accurately discuss any actions in relation to making taxes green because no decisions had been made so far.
He stressed that the Cabinet of Ministers was committed to not performing changes to the tax system until 2021, and the government stood firm with this commitment.
Nemiro also mentioned that previously there had been concerns about higher taxes for older vehicles. He said there were no such plans, because NEKP 2030 did not provide for that.
On January 28, the Cabinet of Ministers supported NEKP 2030. After the plan’s approval it will be submitted to the European Commission. Firstly the plan’s implementation will be coordinated by the prime minister’s National Energy and Climate Council.
NEKP 2030 will be the main document for long-term and climate policy’s formation. The plan’s long-term vision is developing a climate neutral national economy in a sustainable, competitive and safe way.
To total funding for the plan’s implementation is estimated at nearly EUR 10 billion. (BNN/Business World Magazine)