Climate change cost Lithuania €700 million in a single year: Parliament adopts Climate Change Adaptation Law
On Thursday, Lithuania’s Parliament (Seimas) adopted the Climate Change Adaptation Law drafted by the Ministry of Environment. The law sets out clear responsibilities for national and municipal authorities to reduce the damage caused by extreme weather to people, infrastructure and the economy. Losses caused by climate change in Lithuania are estimated to have reached around €700 million in 2024 alone.
“Climate change is no longer a future scenario for Lithuania. We are increasingly experiencing its effects through storms, droughts, heatwaves and floods. These events cost people, businesses and the state millions of euros, directly and indirectly. The new legal framework will allow us to move from responding to the consequences to systematic preparedness. It will clearly assign responsibilities to institutions, strengthen the role of municipalities and enable sustained investment in measures to protect people, their property and public infrastructure,” says Minister of Environment Kastytis Žuromskas.
The new law establishes the legal framework for developing and implementing climate change adaptation policy, as well as collecting, preparing and providing the information needed for adaptation. It defines the responsibilities of the institutions involved and provides for systematic and consistent management of climate-related risks.
Municipalities will play a central role in strengthening climate resilience, as they are the first to face losses from extreme weather and hydrological events. By the end of 2030, they must prepare climate change adaptation plans setting out measures to reduce these impacts.
The Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service under the Ministry of Environment will act as a centre of expertise for implementing climate change adaptation policy. It will provide expert advice and methodological guidance to municipalities, helping them plan and implement adaptation measures effectively.
Climate-related losses are already substantial and must be reduced. According to the European Environment Agency, direct and indirect losses in Lithuania amounted to around €700 million in 2024, equivalent to approximately 0.8% of GDP. Efforts must therefore focus on preventing these losses from increasing and strengthening the country’s resilience to extreme events.
The adopted law is available here.
The law will enter into force on 1 January 2027.
Last updated: 18-09-2026
Related news:
Lithuania aims to reduce barriers to the circular economy during its EU Council Presidency
Lithuania’s Social Climate Plan aims to improve living conditions for vulnerable people
Baltic States and Poland strengthen cooperation on implementing energy and climate plans