Lithuania’s Social Climate Plan aims to improve living conditions for vulnerable people
On 3 September, Lithuania presented its Social Climate Plan, which focuses on the regions and socially vulnerable people. Around EUR 884 million will be invested in Lithuania under the plan by the end of 2032 to help people and businesses adapt to the green transition. The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the Ministry of Environment, which coordinates the preparation of the plan, and the institutions responsible for its implementation: the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, and the Environmental Projects Management Agency.
Improving people’s lives
Speaking at the event, Andriana Sukova, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, noted that Lithuania’s plan, approved by the Commission on 5 June 2026, was the second to receive approval. She highlighted Lithuania’s ambition, with 16 measures planned, many of which will begin in 2027.
She also noted that the Social Climate Plan would be one of the key items on the agenda during Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU next year. This would provide a valuable opportunity to encourage discussion of the social aspects of climate change.
“When you say it aloud, 884 million euros sounds like a substantial sum. But the amount itself is not our goal. Our goal is to turn these figures into tangible improvements. That could mean homes that are warmer in winter and cost less to run. It could mean a more convenient and accessible way to get to work, school or a healthcare facility. This is where the regional dimension is particularly important. The green transition must not be a privilege reserved for people living in major cities with the widest range of choices. The idea behind the Social Climate Fund is very simple: the climate transition must be both ambitious and socially fair,” said Minister of Environment Ieva Andriulaitytė as she opened the event.
Renovation is the Ministry of Environment’s priority
The Ministry of Environment will implement four renovation measures under the plan: comprehensive and partial renovation of apartment buildings, and comprehensive and partial renovation of single-family and two-family homes.
More than EUR 372 million under the Social Climate Plan will support the renovation of apartment buildings and single-family homes. The largest share, EUR 269 million, will be allocated to apartment building renovation, including a new partial renovation measure. A further EUR 103 million is earmarked for comprehensive and partial renovation of single-family homes.
Comprehensive renovation of apartment buildings is expected to achieve at least energy performance class B and reduce energy consumption by at least 40%. Technical assistance covering investment plans, renovation passports, certification, design, administration and technical supervision will be fully funded.
Vulnerable households will be eligible for substantial support for energy efficiency measures. Support will cover 80% of costs for buildings heated with fossil fuels and 50% for those using non-fossil energy sources. Other residents will receive support from the Climate Change Programme, ranging from 15% to 40%, depending on the Municipal Renovation Support Index.
By July 2032, this measure is expected to support the renovation of 643 apartment buildings and provide assistance to 7,851 vulnerable households and more than 12,000 other households.
The plan also introduces partial renovation, a more flexible approach that will allow smaller but significant energy efficiency improvements without waiting until a full renovation is possible.
For vulnerable households, support for energy efficiency measures will cover 85% of costs where fossil fuels are used and 75% where non-fossil energy sources are used. Other apartment building residents will receive support from the Climate Change Programme on terms similar to those for comprehensive renovation.
Residents will be able to choose at least two of six measures: roof insulation, replacement of windows and external doors, upgrading hot water systems, upgrading heating substations, modernising heating systems and installing solar panels. The improvements must reduce energy consumption by at least 15%.
More than 2,300 apartment buildings are expected to undergo partial renovation under this measure.
The plan also provides for comprehensive and partial renovation of single-family and two-family homes. Support for energy efficiency improvements will cover 85% of costs for vulnerable households using fossil fuels and 75% for those using non-fossil energy sources. By 2032, 2,450 such homes are expected to undergo comprehensive renovation and 1,325 partial renovation.
Other institutions outline their plans
The Ministry of Social Security and Labour presented measures to address the shortage of social housing. Its main objective is to expand the social housing stock by building or purchasing energy-efficient homes with an A++ energy performance rating.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications plans to invest EUR 440 million in the transport sector between 2026 and 2032. The funding will support the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, cycling and public transport.
The Environmental Projects Management Agency under the Ministry of Environment presented Energy Saving Advice Centres. These centres will offer individual advice on home modernisation and purchasing vehicles for sustainable mobility, as well as practical help with applications for Social Climate Fund financing and project implementation.
Support for the most vulnerable and cooperation between institutions
A discussion following the presentations explored the benefits that Social Climate Plan investments would bring to Lithuania and who needed them most.
Participants included Aira Paliukėnaitė, Vice-Minister of Environment; Andriana Sukova, representing the European Commission; Dovydas Kaminskas, Mayor of Tauragė District Municipality; Laurynas Šeškevičius, Director of the public institution Atnaujinkime miestą; Marcos Gonzalez Alvarez, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action, responsible for implementing the Social Climate Fund and ETS2; and Martynas Norbutas, Head of the Green Transport Group at the Transport Innovation Association.
Vice-Minister Paliukėnaitė stressed the need to ensure that the measures reach the vulnerable households they are intended to support. She also highlighted the role of municipalities, which work most closely with residents, understand their needs and can help them access the available assistance.
Sukova emphasised transparency and public dialogue. She said that keeping people informed about changes and intended results was essential to building trust in the state and its institutions. She expressed hope that implementing the measures would lead to a lower poverty rate in five years.
Discussing renovation, participants noted that costs are a major concern for residents, making it essential to explain what these costs cover and the potential financial benefits over time. Partial renovation could help accelerate progress by making improvements more accessible to those who cannot afford a full renovation of their apartment building. It could also benefit buildings in cultural heritage areas, where additional requirements often apply to preserving their appearance and architectural features.
Participants agreed that involving social partners, non-governmental organisations and businesses, alongside dialogue between institutions, would be essential to implementing the Social Climate Plan.
Last updated: 08-09-2026
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