AGP Executive Report

Biodiversity & Wildlife: A new study finds that radio noise from everyday human devices can disrupt bats’ navigation for longer than scientists assumed, raising fresh concerns for migrating species along the Baltic coast. Energy Transition: In Latvia, EBRD-backed biomethane plans move forward as a €26m loan will help Next Biogas convert a biogas plant in Lēdurga into a major biomethane facility for grid injection and export. Grid Resilience: Sunly and Rolls-Royce signed contracts for four battery energy storage systems in Latvia totaling 490 MWh, with the first hybrid park in Valmiera due in 2027 and cybersecurity requirements cited as a key selection factor. Climate Finance: Latvia raised €1bn via a seven-year sustainable government bond, aimed at transport, biodiversity protection, pollution reduction, and social inclusion. Local Environment & Health Policy: Baltic parliamentarians meet in Liepāja to align climate and health actions and discuss ecosystem restoration and better monitoring of climate impacts on people. Weather Watch: Latvia faces a weekend shift with rain, thunderstorms, and a short cool-down before warmer conditions return.

EBRD in Riga: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is holding its Board of Governors meeting in Riga (June 5–7), with a big focus on support for Ukraine and Moldova, plus how the bank is expanding globally and aligning with EU technology priorities. Green energy finance: EBRD approved a €26m loan for Next Biogas (Host Group) to convert a Latvian biogas plant in Lēdurga into a biomethane facility, targeting about 80,070 MWh a year and turning agricultural and food waste into renewable gas. Battery storage boom: Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Sunly signed contracts for four battery energy storage facilities in Latvia (490 MWh total), with the first due in Q1 2027. Solar milestone: Sunly opened a 54 MW solar park near Valmiera, part of a planned hybrid project up to €100m, with EIB/EBRD financing support. Weather watch: A cyclone brings rain, thunderstorms and a short cool-down before warmer conditions return. Biodiversity in the city: Riga Zoo has started work on its “Himalayas” expansion, aiming to add around 30 species and open the first stage in 2028. Public health & climate policy: Baltic parliamentarians meet in Liepāja to discuss harmonising climate and health measures and better monitoring of climate impacts on people. Cyber resilience: A local security perspective warns Latvia’s cyber threat level remains high, with nearly 800,000 vulnerable devices flagged.

Sustainable Finance in Latvia: Latvia raised €1 billion via a seven-year sustainable government bond sale, with proceeds earmarked for environmentally friendly transport, biodiversity protection and pollution reduction as the country pushes toward climate neutrality by 2050. Renewables & Grid Stability: Sunly opened a 54 MW solar park near Valmiera as the first phase of a hybrid solar-wind-battery project (up to €100m total), and announced a major battery storage partnership with Rolls-Royce. Energy Tech Spotlight: AdvanGrid shared how smart sensors and AI monitoring help track electricity use and sustainability data for more efficient energy management. Climate-Health Policy Talk: Baltic parliamentarians will meet in Liepāja to align climate and health policies, improve monitoring of climate impacts on people, and discuss ecosystem restoration. Biodiversity & Conservation Education: Riga Zoo has started building its “Himalayas” biopark section, aiming to add new species and more naturalistic exhibits by 2028. Weather Watch: Latvia is heading into warmer conditions up to around +26°C, but with increasing rain and thunderstorms later in the week. Peatlands Under Scrutiny: Ireland faces an EU court referral over peat extraction rules—another reminder of how EU environmental safeguards can tighten across the region.

Baltic Energy Transition: Sunly opened one of Latvia’s largest solar parks near Matīši in Valmiera, a 54 MW project that’s the first phase of a hybrid solar-wind-battery plan worth up to EUR 100 million, with battery storage planned to come online from Q1 2027; Grid Resilience & Storage: Sunly also signed a major battery storage deal with Rolls-Royce, aiming to scale storage across Latvia and Estonia to 790 MWh; Climate Finance: Latvia’s State Treasury raised EUR 1 billion via a seven-year sustainable bond, with proceeds earmarked for greener transport, biodiversity protection and pollution reduction; Energy Aid to Ukraine: Latvenergo plans to donate decommissioned but still working equipment from its TEC-2 thermal plant in Riga to help rebuild Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, pending regulatory approvals; Weather Watch: Warm summer conditions continue in Latvia with highs around +26°C, but rain and thunderstorms are set to increase toward the weekend; Local Sustainability Moves: Latvijas Pasts will buy 40 new vehicles (including nine electric cargo vans) to cut emissions and modernize its high-mileage courier fleet.

Latvia Weather Watch: Warm, summery conditions are sticking around, with rain and thunderstorms more likely later in the week; Thursday stays mostly sunny (+20–25°C), Friday brings brief storms (+22–27°C), and Saturday turns cloudier with rain in many places (+17–22°C). Transport & Emissions: Latvijas Pasts will buy 40 new vehicles (including nine electric cargo vans) for €1.3m to cut pollution from high-mileage courier routes. Local Pollution Fight: Baldone authorities move to shut down a quail farm after residents complained about severe odour from poultry waste near homes. Aviation & Climate Costs: airBaltic’s losses top €70m in Q1, and the airline warns it may need €100–150m more funding for the 2026/27 winter season—raising questions about how greener fleet plans will be financed. Nature & Culture Access: Riga’s Staro Rīga light festival is set to become more accessible for people with visual impairments.

Latvia’s summer push: Meteorological summer officially kicked off in Latvia on June 1 after five days above +15°C, with forecasts pointing to a warmer-than-usual June. Weather watch: Wednesday brings warm conditions up to +26°C in places, plus rain and thunderstorms in Vidzeme; more unsettled weather is expected later in the week. Pollution and enforcement: Baldone moved to shut down a quail farm operation after residents complained about strong odours and poultry waste near homes. Wildlife conflict: Latvia is seeing growing public debate over bears, with citizen initiatives pushing for either limited hunting or stronger preventive protection like electric fences. Climate industry investment: Latvia’s cement sector got a boost as Brocēni’s plan for climate-neutral production won EU strategic project approval, with over €500m earmarked for carbon capture and major CO₂ cuts by 2032. Accessible culture: Riga’s Staro Rīga light festival is set to become more inclusive for people with visual impairments, adding solutions so installations can be experienced beyond sight.

Weather Watch: Latvia is heading into summery warmth, with forecasts of +23…+27°C and scattered showers/thunderstorms, plus fog patches in places as rain returns later in the week. Biodiversity & Wildlife: A public debate is heating up after a proposal on manabalss.lv calls for limited bear hunting, while the Nature Conservation Agency says there’s currently no legal or scientific basis for it. Forestry Governance: Latvia’s State Forests (LVM) is recruiting a new board chair, with applications due June 29 and requirements spanning forestry/environment expertise and leadership experience. Climate-Industry Push: Latvia’s cement decarbonisation gets a boost: Brocēni’s €500m+ climate-neutral cement project won EU approval under the Net-Zero Emissions Industry Act, targeting completion by 2032. Aviation Decarbonisation: NorSAF has selected KBR’s PureSAF tech for what’s set to be Northern Europe’s largest SAF/e-SAF plant in Latvia, aiming for 2030 start. EU Greenwashing Rules: The European Commission has launched infringement steps against 20 countries, including Latvia, over delayed national transposition of EU green-claims and sustainability-label rules. Accessibility & Nature Tourism: New accessible sections have been added to the Mežtaka and Jūrtaka hiking trails, improving routes to the sea and local paths for people with mobility and visual impairments.

Bear Management Debate: Latvia’s Nature Conservation Agency says there’s currently no legal or scientific basis for allowing bear hunting, as a public initiative on manabalss.lv pushes for limited hunting to protect hikers, beehives and livestock—while another initiative calls for a hunting ban plus state-funded prevention like electric fences. Wildlife & Public Safety: The bear population is reported to be rising fast, with last year’s March–November estimate around 190 bears based on tracks, DNA monitoring and observations. Climate & Weather: Latvia is set for summer-like warmth, with forecasts pointing to up to +26°C, plus fog in some areas and scattered showers or thunderstorms later in the week. Aviation Decarbonisation: NorSAF has selected KBR’s PureSAF technology for what’s planned as Northern Europe’s largest sustainable aviation fuel and e-SAF plant in the Baltics, targeting 100,000 tons annually from 2030. Green Claims Enforcement: The EU Commission has opened infringement procedures against 20 Member States, including Latvia, over delays in transposing rules on green claims and sustainability labels, aimed at cutting greenwashing. Access for All: New accessible sections have been added to the Mežtaka and Jūrtaka hiking trails, improving sea access and routes suitable for wheelchairs and people with visual impairments.

Weather Watch: Latvia is set for a return of summer-like warmth, with forecasts pointing to highs up to +26°C later this week, plus patchy fog at night and scattered showers/thunderstorms midweek. Climate Resilience: A new COOLCITY Index study ranks Stockholm as Europe’s most climate-resilient capital, with Riga and Tallinn also scoring well thanks to green infrastructure and better land permeability. Aviation Decarbonisation: NorSAF has selected KBR’s PureSAF technology for what’s planned to be Northern Europe’s largest sustainable aviation fuel and e-SAF plant, targeting 100,000 tons annually from 2030. EU Green Claims Crackdown: The European Commission has opened infringement steps against 20 EU states, including Latvia, over delays in transposing rules meant to curb misleading “green” claims and sustainability labels. Accessible Nature Trails: Latvia’s Mežtaka and Jūrtaka long-distance hiking routes are adding more wheelchair- and mobility-friendly access points to reach sea views and local trail connections.

Denali Tragedy: Three Latvian climbers died and one was rescued after a fall near Denali Pass on Alaska’s Mount McKinley; rescuers used a long-line extraction because a helicopter couldn’t land, and the injured climber was airlifted to hospital. Climate Resilience: Stockholm topped a new COOLCITY Index ranking of Europe’s most climate-resilient capitals, with Riga also scoring well thanks to green infrastructure and land permeability. Green Claims Enforcement: The EU Commission opened infringement procedures against 20 Member States, including Latvia, over delays in transposing rules meant to curb misleading green claims and sustainability labels. Accessible Nature Tourism: Latvia’s Mežtaka and Jūrtaka hiking trails added more disability-accessible sections, improving routes to the sea and local paths for wheelchair and visually impaired visitors. Weather Watch (Latvia): Early June is set to be warm and rainier, with fog at night and thunderstorms possible later in the week. Tourism Impact from Security Messaging: Western tourists are cancelling Baltics bookings amid perceptions of an unsafe frontline border zone, and Latvia’s restaurant association warns that chaotic messaging can worsen damage beyond actual incidents.

Civil Preparedness: Finland is set to test its emergency alert sirens and public warning system on June 1, and it will also fold drone-attack alerting into civil defence protocols. Climate Resilience: Stockholm tops a new COOLCITY Index ranking of Europe’s most climate-resilient capitals, with Riga also placing high thanks to green infrastructure and land that absorbs heavy rainfall. Local Environment & Urban Planning: The same study highlights how flood resistance, heat management and permeability separate the best-prepared cities from the rest. Safety on the Move (Aviation/Navigation): Reports say Russian “spoofing” of GPS has disrupted thousands of flights in the UK over the past year, mostly affecting routes near the Russian border. Tragedy in Nature: Three Latvian climbers died and one was rescued after a fall near Denali Pass on Alaska’s Mount McKinley, with rescue hampered by high-altitude conditions. Food Industry: Vilvi Group opened a new €60M cheese factory in Bauska, aiming for 18,000 tons of cheese a year and exporting widely.

Climate Resilience in the Baltics: A new COOLCITY Index study names Stockholm Europe’s most climate-resilient capital, with Riga ranking among the top performers thanks to strong green infrastructure and land permeability that help manage heavy rainfall and flood risk. Tragedy on the Mountain: Three Latvian climbers died after a fall near Denali Pass on Alaska’s Mount McKinley; a fourth was rescued and evacuated, while rescue operations were slowed by harsh high-altitude conditions. EU Housing Pressure: The European Commission is pushing “zero-cost” structural ideas to tackle the affordable housing crisis, warning member states against housing allowances and tax or mortgage subsidies that would add funding. Aviation & Safety Risks: Reports say Russian “spoofing” affected GPS on more than 1,500 British Airways flights, with similar incidents for Jet2 and easyJet, raising concerns for navigation reliability near the eastern border region. Energy & Industry: Vilvi Group opened a new €60M cheese factory in Bauska, aiming for 18,000 tons annually and a fully integrated production chain.

Climate Resilience Watch: Stockholm has topped Europe’s COOLCITY Index for climate-resilient capital cities, scoring highest thanks to green infrastructure and strong land permeability that help manage heavy rainfall and flood risk; Baltic Spotlight: Riga ranked among the leaders too (6.3), with Vilnius and Tallinn also placing high, while several southern capitals fell outside the top 10; Latvia Weather: Latvia’s forecast points to unsettled conditions on Friday with rain and possible thunderstorms in the east, gusts up to 15–17 m/s, then more mixed weekend weather and a wetter, cyclones-driven start to next week; Aviation Decarbonisation (Latvia): KBR’s PureSAF technology has been selected by NorSAF for what’s set to be Northern Europe’s largest SAF/e-SAF plant, targeting 100,000 tons annually from 2030 and supporting EU aviation fuel mandates; Local Industry: Vilvi Group opened a new €60M cheese factory in Bauska, with production already started and exports planned widely, aiming for 18,000 tons per year and 100–120M euros in revenue.

Mountaineering Tragedy: Three Latvian climbers died after a fall near Denali Pass on Alaska’s Mount McKinley (Denali National Park), while a fourth was rescued and airlifted to hospital in critical condition. Weather Watch: Latvia is set for unsettled conditions with rain and possible thunderstorms in the east, gusty winds up to 15–17 m/s, and a shift toward warmer, more summer-like weather by midweek. Latvia’s Climate & Energy: The Saeima approved Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ new four-party government, including a dedicated Minister for Climate and Energy, with pledges that include budget stability and stronger economic competitiveness. Aviation Decarbonisation: NorSAF and KBR signed a deal for Europe’s largest SAF/e-SAF plant in Latvia, targeting 100,000 tons annually from 2030, as EU SAF blending rules ramp up. EU Consumer Green Rules: The European Commission opened infringement procedures against 20 member states, including Latvia, for failing to fully transpose the directive on empowering consumers for the green transition. Riga Airport Commercial Update: Riga Airport selected new international partners for terminal commercial areas, including duty-free and food & beverage operators, aiming to boost non-aviation revenue.

Aviation Decarbonisation in Latvia: NorSAF and KBR have signed a licensing deal for PureSAF technology to build what’s set to be Northern Europe’s largest SAF/e-SAF plant in Latvia (100,000 tons a year, production planned from 2030; 100% drop-in fuel ambitions). EU Consumer Green Rules: The European Commission has opened infringement steps against Latvia and 19 other states for not fully transposing the “Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition” directive, aimed at tackling green claims and labels. Weather Watch: Latvia is bracing for unsettled conditions on Friday, with rain/thunder possible in the east and gusts up to 15–17 m/s, followed by more mixed weekend weather. Local Industry & Jobs: Vilvi Group opened a new cheese factory in Bauska (over €60m invested), with production already started and exports planned widely. Riga Airport Commercial Update: Riga Airport selected new international partners for terminal commercial areas (duty-free, food & beverage, convenience retail, and lounges). Energy & Markets: A report highlights Estonia’s electricity price advantage over Latvia, linked to frequency reserve market activity. Cultural Tourism: The Council of Europe officially recognized the Baltic-Nordic “Singing Heritage Route,” spanning Latvia and the region’s traditional singing practices.

Latvia’s New Cabinet: The Saeima approved Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ four-party government (United List, New Unity, National Alliance, Greens and Farmers), with climate and energy, transport, agriculture and other key portfolios named—while security, budget stability, fair elections, and tackling cartels/corruption sit at the top. EU Green Rules Pressure: The European Commission opened infringement steps against 20 countries, including Latvia, for not fully transposing the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition—aimed at cutting greenwashing and improving trust in sustainability labels. SAF Push in Latvia: NorSAF signed licensing deals with KBR for PureSAF tech, targeting Europe’s first large-scale 100% drop-in sustainable aviation fuel/eSAF plant in Liepāja (over €1bn, entry into service planned for 2031/2030 in related releases). Weather Watch: Latvia faces gusty winds with rain and possible thunderstorms, with temperatures mostly in the teens. Energy Market Note: Estonia’s electricity has been markedly cheaper than Latvia/Lithuania recently, linked to successful frequency reserve bids that reserve more interconnector capacity for grid services. Border & Security Context: Latvia continues installing anti-mobility “dragon’s teeth” along the Russian border as part of the Baltic Defence Line.