Our Flash News edition of 12 July 2022 informed MindLink subscribers about a new aid programme based on rules recently adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers. In that article we looked at eligible entities, qualifying activities and excluded industries. This article explores the aid instrument and the programme’s status.

The Cabinet of Ministers Rule governing a new aid programme for improving energy efficiency in manufacturers and exporters came into force on 18 June 2022. Businesses can apply for aid to cover their overheads, i.e. for a loan (or a parallel loan) of up to EUR 5 million from the Altum Development Finance Institution. Up to 30% of the loan principal can be cancelled as a capital allowance. The aid can be used on costs associated with improving energy efficiency or introducing renewable energy resources for personal consumption by businesses in non-residential buildings and warehouses. This article explores some aspects of the new aid programme described in the publicly available wording of the Cabinet Rule.

Today’s reality shows that environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters are becoming central to new corporate strategies, increasing the importance of the role ESG leaders and experts play in organisations and their governance structure. A modern ESG leader not only has to understand the interaction between the various ESG matters and their impact on the company’s lines of business but must also be able to integrate ESG in the company’s operations, inspiring the other staff to action. PwC’s latest survey “Empowered Chief Sustainability Officers” offers insights into how the role of an ESG leader has evolved over time and how ESG leaders can make a tangible difference in their companies by combining the various ESG aspects with the company’s operations, thereby helping the company transform and undertake more sustainable operations. A key finding of the survey is that organisations whose governance structure has a clearly defined role of the ESG leader are able to achieve higher indicators in sustainability areas.

We are experiencing the consequences of climate change more and more – through extreme weather conditions and changes in nature. To mitigate climate change and tackle problems associated with environmental degradation, the EU has set ambitious goals to achieve a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to become climate neutral by 2050. The European Green Deal is a strategy designed to help Europe achieve the goal of climate neutrality.

Latvia is committed to reducing its CO₂ emissions. One of the objectives is to cut emissions from road vehicles. This can be done by minimising the overall use of transport and by encouraging the use of vehicles with low or zero CO₂ emissions. This article explores what incentives are available for buying and using electric vehicles (EVs) in Latvia and other member states.
 

Latvia saw a productive autumn in terms of changes to corporate governance rules. On 11 November 2021, Parliament passed amendments to the Public Person’s Shares and Companies Governance Act, effective from 8 December 2021, requiring large central and local government companies to apply corporate governance principles and prepare various statements in this area.