BELHYDROMET

As part of the business program of the forum, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, together with the State Enterprise "Belenergo", CJSC "Technology and Communications", organized the scientific and practical conference "ESG-transformation and sustainable development", which took place on October 11. First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Korbut, addressing to the conference participants, noted that the environmental management system created in Belarus in recent years has provided a reduction in some types of pressures on it in the conditions of economic growth. In particular, there was a decrease in specific indicators (per unit of GDP) of emissions of pollutants and wastewater discharge by 2.5 times, the energy intensity of GDP by 2 times, the area of natural ecosystems increased, the use of industrial waste increased. The ecological situation in the country has improved in a number of areas related to the state of atmospheric air, water resources and ecosystems, and individual biological species. Climate change issues are one of the most important priority areas. Despite the fact that the Republic of Belarus is responsible for only 0.19% of global emissions, we perceive responsibility for climate change as a primary task. The new contribution of the Republic of Belarus to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, determined at the national level, approved by the Government in 2021, assumes a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 to the 1990 level, taking into account the sector "Land use, land use change and forestry". According to the data of the state inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, in 2020 the Republic of Belarus reduced emissions by 38.9 percent, and taking into account the sector "Land use, land use change and forestry" – by 56.3 percent. Systematic work is being carried out to reduce emissions of pollutants into the atmospheric air, to efficiently use renewable energy sources. Considerable attention is paid to minimizing the harmful effects of production on the environment by reducing the amount of waste generation, emissions and discharges, reducing the consumption of single-use plastic, and developing resource-efficient and clean production. The Action Plan approved by the Government of the Republic of Belarus is being implemented, aimed at gradually reducing the use of polymer packaging with its replacement with safe packaging. A priority area for the protection and use of waters is being implemented, issues of conservation of biological and landscape diversity are always relevant. Over the past 5 years, the area of protected areas in the republic has increased by 53.5 thousand hectares and reached 1.8 million hectares or 9.1% of the country's territory. Over 10 years, more than 80 thousand hectares of disturbed peatlands have been restored.

Natalia Klevets, Chief of the Climate Change Research Department of Belhydromet, at the conference made a report on the topic "On the development of recommendations for the adaptation of the energy industry of the Republic of Belarus to climate change" .

On October 11, the opening of the international specialized exhibition "Energy. Ecology. Energy saving. Electro" (EnergyExpo' 2022) was held. As part of the exposition of the organizations of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, Belhydromet presented a video reflecting information on the Atlas of Wind Potential, demonstrated a 3D model of the Minsk meteorological station, which allows visitors to visually familiarize themselves with the technical capabilities of Belhydromet in the production of hydrometeorological information, as well as a video and a handout on the mobile application "Weather in your Pocket". Informational materials on environmental issues were presented for a wide range of visitors. Visitors could ask any question they are interested in when viewing the exhibition, which were answered by specialists of Belhydromet.