The Council has published an annex to a proposed implementing decision that would amend the assessment of Latvia's recovery and resilience plan, originally approved on 13 July 2021, detailing specific reforms, investments, milestones, and targets for the green transition and digital transformation components. The document, dated 30 July 2026, sets quantified goals for sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and public administration modernisation, with deadlines extending to 2026.
The annex updates Components 1 (Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability) and 2 (Digital Transformation) of Latvia's plan under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. For the green component, it outlines sub-components on sustainable mobility, including the Riga metropolitan transport system, energy efficiency upgrades for multi-apartment, municipal, and public buildings, and climate adaptation measures such as disaster management and flood risk reduction. Specific milestones include electrifying 100 km of rail lines and deploying 17 electric buses by the third quarter of 2026, signing contracts worth at least EUR 40,097,400 for multi-apartment building energy efficiency by the third quarter of 2024, and installing 2,060 electric vehicle charging connection points by the third quarter of 2026. The digital component focuses on modernising public administration processes and services, with the reform to be implemented by 30 June 2022. The document also stipulates that no measure in these components should cause significant harm to environmental objectives, in line with the DNSH Technical Guidance.
The Council's approval of this annex follows the original approval of Latvia's plan in July 2021, which allocated EU recovery funds to support the country's post-pandemic recovery. The amended assessment reflects updated operational details and targets, providing a framework for monitoring implementation. The annex is part of a broader EU effort to ensure that recovery spending aligns with green and digital priorities, as outlined in the Recovery and Resilience Facility regulation.
Stakeholders affected include Latvian public authorities responsible for implementing the reforms, construction and transport companies bidding for energy efficiency and mobility contracts, and residents who will benefit from improved public transport and building renovations. The quantified targets create clear compliance obligations for Latvia, with potential financial implications if milestones are missed. The emphasis on DNSH ensures that projects do not undermine environmental goals, which may add administrative costs but also supports long-term sustainability. The digital reform, though already due, signals a push for more efficient public services, potentially reducing bureaucratic burdens for citizens and businesses.
The next step is for the Council to formally adopt the implementing decision, after which the European Commission will monitor Latvia's progress against the milestones and targets. The annex provides a detailed roadmap, but its success will depend on Latvia's capacity to meet the deadlines, particularly the 2026 targets for electrification and charging infrastructure.