Lithuania [Energy indicators for sustainable development]

Lithuania has had three National Energy Strategies, adopted in 1994, 1999 and 2002 (Lithuania Ministry of Economy, 2002). The third National Energy Strategy can be considered a sustainable energy development strategy. The next National Energy Strategy should be approved in 2007. Lithuania entered the European Union (EU) in 2004 and its energy policy should be consistent with EU energy policy. A main goal of international and EU energy policy is to secure a sustainable energy future. The application of ISED to Lithuanian energy policy should help to address sustainable energy development challenges and monitor progress achieved in approaching main energy indicators of EU-15 countries as a result of energy policy harmonization and law approximation. The purpose of this case study is to apply ISED in order to assess energy sector developments and to monitor progress achieved towards established targets. Appropriate ISED address priority concerns or strategic priorities of the Lithuanian energy sector with respect to defined related targets. Analysis of trends of selected indicators and their interlinkages with other indicators (driving force indicators, etc.) allow definition of problematic issues, assessment of the effect of policy measures proposed in the strategy, and the definition of new policy measures and actions to be implemented in order to achieve progress on priority targets established by the third National Energy Strategy. The application of modern strategic planning methods such as the ISED tool in the preparation of national energy strategies will help to create a consistent and well-structured strategy framework addressing all three dimensions of sustainability and to enhance the quality of policy analysis. The scope of the study is to define priorities of energy sector development based on the third National Energy Strategy and to conduct policy analysis using the ISED tool. The main priority areas of energy policy are addressed using targeted indicators, driving force indicators and response actions on selected targeted indicators