This country note features selected environmental indicators from the OECD Core Set, building on harmonised datasets available on OECD Data Explorer. The indicators reflect major environmental issues, including climate, air quality, freshwater resources, waste and the circular economy, and biodiversity. Differences with national data sources can occur due to delays in data treatment and publication, or due to different national definitions and measurement methods. The OECD is working with countries and other international organisations to further improve the indicators and the underlying data.
Environment at a Glance: Lithuania
Lithuania has a small, open and increasingly high-skill economy, driven by innovation, advanced technologies, and a highly educated workforce. Gross domestic product (GDP) more than doubled over the past 20 years, driven mainly by the increased trade in goods and services. Lithuania has a diversified economy based on oil refining and industries such as pharmaceutical and chemicals (especially plastics and fertilizers), cement, wood processing, textile, manufacturing of machineries and electronics as well as food and agriculture products. Transport is an important and growing sector, accounting for approximately 11% of the GDP, and a major contributor to air and greenhouse gas emissions.
With fewer than three million residents, Lithuania is among the least populous OECD member countries. The population is relatively concentrated in small urban areas, with 51% of people living in cities. Lithuania is a highly centralised, unitary state with the territory divided into 60 municipalities. There are considerable disparities between regions. Vilnius is the most prosperous in terms of GDP per person, employment and productivity growth.
Lithuania is located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It is a flat country with abundant agricultural land, water and forest resources. Limestone, clay, sand, and gravel are its primary natural resources, but the coastal shelf offers some unexploited oil deposits. Located within the Boreal biogeographical region the country shelters megafauna like the elk, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx and beaver in forest and wetland habitats.
Lithuania relies on energy imports for almost all fossil fuels. The country hosts the only operating oil refinery in the Baltic States: the Orlen Lietuva refinery complex near Mažeikiai. The refining capacity exceeds domestic demand, so significant volumes of refined fuel are exported. Domestically generated electricity is mostly renewable, produced by onshore wind, hydropower (primarily from one large plant near Kaunas) and solid biofuels. As of mid-2026, a ban on the use of solid fossil fuels will be imposed in resorts and cities with more than 50 000 inhabitants.
One third of the country is forested and forestry and forest products are a significant part of the economy
CO2 emissions from fuel combustion and energy supply have been decoupled from economic growth. Nevertheless, much of this progress has been concentrated in the years following Lithuania’s independence in the context of a rapid transition from a planned to a market economy. By contrast, net emissions have increased by 27% since 2000, both as a result of slowly declining gross emissions (-2.5%), and because less emissions have been absorbed by land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). Although per person production-based and demand-based (or footprint) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have historically been below the OECD averages, overall they have been increasing since 1995. This is mainly due to the continuous decrease of Lithuania’s population.
Following a steep decline in the 1990s and a more modest one in 2006-09, total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (excluding the LULUCF sector) have recently been stable: reduced emissions from energy and, to a smaller extent, industry, have been offset by increased emissions from transport.
Renewable energy sources, dominated by biomass (biofuels), represent a relatively large share of the energy mix, 30.6% of total energy supply in 2023. Oil and natural gas filled the energy gap when the Ignalina nuclear power station closed in 2009. The share of natural gas in total energy supply has since declined, while the share of oil has increased. Fossil fuels represented 68.2% of total energy supply in 2023.
The share of renewables in electricity production has made a spectacular increase in recent years, from less than 20% in 2010 to 81.6% in 2023. Lithuania has committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. The country aims to harness its abundant renewable resources, including wind, solar, and biomass, while adapting its energy grid to support higher renewable energy penetration. The government is also exploring hydrogen production to further decarbonize its industrial sectors.
Lithuania reached its 2020 emission reduction commitments only for sulphur dioxide and particulate matter (PM2,5). Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx) and PM2.5 have decreased since 2000, while emissions of PM10, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and ammonia (NH3) stagnated or increased. This calls for more effective policies in the agricultural sector, notably the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers, manure management and feed balancing.
Road transport is the main source of NOx emissions. They have decreased since 2000 primarily due to the introduction of more stringent vehicle standards. However, emissions’ reductions are too slow to achieve the national 2020-2029 target. To meet national targets for NMVOC it would be necessary to adopt new technologies and improve production processes requiring large quantities of solvents
All emission intensities per person (except NOx) are below the OECD average but higher than the OECD Europe average.
Emission reductions went on par with air quality improvements. Average population exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) nevertheless remains above the 2021 guideline value of 5 µg/m3 recommended by the World Health Organization.
Lithuania has a dense network of rivers that drain into the Baltic Sea directly, via the Curonian Lagoon or the Gulf of Riga. Many of these rivers are shared with neighbouring countries. Groundwater abstraction has slightly increased during the last 10 years, and over 80% of abstracted groundwater is used for the public water supply. The average intensity of groundwater use in Lithuania is about 11%, but varies from 5 to 80% in individual groundwater basins.
78.1% of the country's population is connected to centralised public sewage treatment plants. All agglomerations between 2 000 and 10 000 population equivalents benefit from secondary or tertiary treatment.
The amount of generated municipal waste per person peaked in 2020 and decreased to 446 kg per person in 2023. Recycling and composting represent almost 50% of municipal waste management, supported by an expanding and improving separate waste collection system. For instance, as of January 1, 2024, mandatory requirements for separate food and kitchen waste collection came into effect. Efforts to enhance the waste sorting infrastructure and tools, alongside public education and information campaigns, are ongoing.
Additionally, the deposit return system for beverage containers has encouraged greater public participation in sorting. Residents return more than 90% of containers through this system (in 2022, approximately 93% of PET containers, 94% of metal containers, and 89% of glass containers were returned)
Lithuania’s material productivity has fluctuated but remained largely unchanged since 2010. This has not been accompanied by improved resource efficiency and therefore material consumption per person continues to increase. In 2023 circular use of material was 3.9%, which is much lower than the EU average of around 12% (Eurostat, 2024[1]). The rate has been relatively stable in the last ten years. In 2023 Lithuania generated EUR 0.79 per kg of material, against the EU average of around EUR 2.4 ((EEA), 2024[2]). As in many countries, construction materials represent the dominant share, followed by biomass. Consumption of construction minerals has grown the fastest, in line with the strong GDP growth. Fossil energy carriers dominate material imports, reflecting the country’s high reliance on energy imports. In June 2023, Lithuania adopted the Guidelines for Lithuania's transition to a circular economy by 2035.
Lithuania is a flat and low-lying country with a maximum elevation of just 300 metres above sea level. It is predominantly agricultural, with arable land constituting 46.2% and grassland/pastures 5.1%. A third of the country (32,9%) is forested, while wetlands and water bodies account for 1.5% and 4,1% respectively. Urbanized areas cover 3,8% (Fund, 2025[3]). Arable land and forest area have increased over the last 15 years, while grassland/pastures have declined. The expansion of more input-intensive arable farming, land use change and fragmentation, and intensive forestry practices are the leading pressures on biodiversity (OECD, 2021[4]).
According to the reporting requirements of the EU Habitats Directive, the conservation status of 37% of Lithuania’s protected species was assessed as good. As far as birds are concerned, 19% of breeding species showed short-term increasing or stable population trends. The main pressures are invasive alien species, forestry and agriculture (BISE, 2025[5]).
Most of the protected areas are mixed-use landscapes or resource management areas (for sustainable forest management). There are three state strict nature reserves and one biosphere reserve. Protected areas are small because the landscape is relatively heterogeneous and fragmented – large areas of continuous natural habitats are rare. Lithuania plans to expand the terrestrial network of protected areas to 30% of land by 2030 (the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) target).
According to the management effectiveness 2007 evaluation (Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Areas Management methodology, Ahokumpu, 2007) Lithuania created a representative network of protected areas that corresponded to its conservation needs, made significant progress with its administrative structures and was successful in preventing threats. After implementation of the evaluations’ proposed measures, the management of protected areas has further improved (Tucker, 2023[6]).
This section shows selected policy instruments based on data available for most OECD countries and does not provide a complete overview of countries’ policy mix to achieve their environment-related objectives. Interpretation should consider the country specific context.
Lithuania’s revenue from environmentally-related taxes as a share of GDP is below the OECD Europe average but above the OECD one. As in most other OECD countries, revenues have declined in recent years and energy products – especially motor vehicle fuels – generate most of the revenues. Transport, pollution and resource taxes do not raise much revenue.
Lithuania implicitly supports the consumption of fossil fuels through favourable tax treatments, such as exemptions from excise duties and partial compensation to households for heating. In 2024, it lifted restrictions on the use of untaxed diesel in agriculture due to significant pressure from farmers.
In total, 53.7% of GHG emissions in Lithuania were subject to a positive Net Effective Carbon Rate (ECR) in 2023. Explicit carbon prices in Lithuania consist of emissions trading system (ETS) permit prices, which cover 20.4% of GHG emissions in CO2 eq. Fuel excise taxes, an implicit form of carbon pricing, cover 40.8% of emissions in 2023. Direct fossil fuel subsidies cover 6.9% of emissions. About 49% of GHG emissions have a Net ECR above EUR 60 per tonne of CO2 eq., a mid-range estimate of current carbon costs. Net ECRs are highest in the road transport sector, which accounts for 29.1% of the country's total GHG emissions. The Net ECR is on average negative in the buildings sector. The buildings sector accounts for 5.8% of GHG emissions (OECD, 2024[7])..
The share of environmentally-related government’s R&D budget has declined drastically since 2004-06. It has increasing since 2019 but remains low at 0,53% in 2023. The share of renewables in RD&D on energy has slightly increased 2019-23, at more than 25%.
Lithuania is a marginal eco-innovation performer. The number of patent applications on climate change mitigation and environmental management, filed for protection in at least two jurisdictions by national inventors, remains below 10 per year. The share of environmentally-related patents is below the OECD average, and decreasing.
As an official provider of development co-operation since 2004 and a Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member since 2022, Lithuania’s co-operation focuses on sharing its transition experience and accumulated knowledge in democratic reforms, notably in countries of the European Union’s (EU) Eastern Partnership. Most official development assistance (ODA) is channelled through the European Union. Lithuania’s total ODA decreased in 2024 to USD 193.4 million (preliminary data), representing 0.24% of gross national income (GNI).
In 2022-23, Lithuania committed 21.2% of its total bilateral allocable ODA in support of the environment and the Rio Conventions, up from 14.7% in 2020-21. The DAC average was 39% in 2022-23. Seven per cent of screened bilateral allocable ODA focused on environmental issues as a principal objective, compared with the DAC average of 9.6%. Five per cent of total bilateral allocable ODA focused on climate change overall, down from 9.3% in 2020-21 (the DAC average was 34.8%). Lithuania had a greater focus on mitigation (8%) than on adaptation (3.6%) in 2022-23. Almost zero per cent of screened bilateral allocable ODA focused on biodiversity overall, down from 0.4% in 2020-21 (the DAC average was 7.6%). (OECD, 2025[8]).
References
[2] (EEA), E. (2024), Circular economy country profile 2024 – Lithuania, https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/circular-economy/country-profiles-on-circular-economy/circular-economy-country-profiles-2024.
[5] BISE (2025), Biodiversity information system for Europe: Lithuania, https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/lithuania?activeTab=97fdb996-56f0-4cae-8998-95f8f5fa4514.
[1] Eurostat (2024), Circular economy - material flows. Highlights, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?oldid=655955.
[3] Fund, L. (2025), Data of the Land Fund of the Republic of Lithuania, https://nzt.lrv.lt/lt/statistine-informacija/lietuvos-respublikos-zemes-fondas.
[8] OECD (2025), Development Co-operation Profiles, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/development-co-operation-profiles_04b376d7-en/lithuania_23ca9a20-en.html.
[7] OECD (2024), Pricing Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2024: Gearing Up to Bring Emissions Down, OECD Series on Carbon Pricing and Energy Taxation, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/b44c74e6-en.
[4] OECD (2021), OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Lithuania 2021, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/48d82b17-en.
[6] Tucker (2023), Nature Conservation in Europe. Approaches and Lessons, Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
CBD (2022), Country profiles: Lithuania, https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=lt#facts
IEA (2021), Lithuania 2021 Energy Policy Review, IEA Energy Policy Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/db346bb1-en
UNEP-WCMC (2024), “Protected Area Profile for Lithuania”, the World Database of Protected Areas, www.protectedplanet.net
This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Member countries of the OECD.
This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.
The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law.
Note by the Republic of Türkiye
The information in this document with reference to “Cyprus” relates to the southern part of the Island. There is no single authority representing both Turkish and Greek Cypriot people on the Island. Türkiye recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Until a lasting and equitable solution is found within the context of the United Nations, Türkiye shall preserve its position concerning the “Cyprus issue”.
Note by all the European Union Member States of the OECD and the European Union
The Republic of Cyprus is recognised by all members of the United Nations with the exception of Türkiye. The information in this document relates to the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.
Kosovo: This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/99 and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo’s declaration of independence.
© OECD 2025
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. By using this work, you accept to be bound by the terms of this licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Attribution – you must cite the work.
Translations – you must cite the original work, identify changes to the original and add the following text: In the event of any discrepancy between the original work and the translation, only the text of original work should be considered valid.
Adaptations – you must cite the original work and add the following text: This is an adaptation of an original work by the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed in this adaptation should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its Member countries.
Third-party material – the licence does not apply to third-party material in the work. If using such material, you are responsible for obtaining permission from the third party and for any claims of infringement.
You must not use the OECD logo, visual identity or cover image without express permission or suggest the OECD endorses your use of the work.
Any dispute arising under this licence shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Arbitration Rules 2012. The seat of arbitration shall be Paris (France). The number of arbitrators shall be one.