BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Croatia is
committed to decarbonizing its energy system and accelerating its
green transition, with the International Energy Agency warning of
an imminent peak in in fossil fuel consumption, Prime Minister of
Croatia Andrej Plenković said as he delivered his statement during
the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports.
“Our future depends on how boldly we act. Shifting away from
fossil fuels is not only climate-wise but an economic necessity. We
are doing our part by supporting our neighbors, starting with
Bosnia and Herzegovina, to boost climate resilience and strengthen
mitigation. Our achievements and investments in renewable energy
reflect our dedication,” he said.
According to the PM, in 2022, renewables made up 29.5 percent of
the country’s energy consumption, a figure that continues to grow.
With projects like green hydrogen and geothermal development, the
country aims for 42.5 percent renewables by 2030. To manage
intermittency sustainability, investment in pumped storage
hydropower is crucial, and Croatia has strong potential in this
area. The country’s efforts show that economic growth and
environmental responsibility can coexist.
Andrej Plenković emphasized that Croatia has decoupled its
strong growth from CO2 emissions, maintaining a carbon footprint
well below the EU average.
“We are committed to protecting our environment and
biodiversity, working to safeguard 30 percent of the Adriatic Sea
under the Global Biodiversity Framework. We extend our energy
commitment internationally, exemplified by the Clean Energy for EU
Islands initiative launched during our EU Council presidency,” he
said.
He added that Croatia is advancing cutting-edge technology that
transforms plastic, textiles, sludge, and non-recyclable biogenic
waste into zero-emission hydrogen. This innovation tackles
pollution and energy access while reducing methane emissions.