Latvian Economy and the Environment

The period 1991 - 1993 saw a rapid decline in the economy of Latvia. In 1995, GDP was only 49% of the 1990 level. 1996 was the first year with a significant growth of economy (about 2.8%). Accordingly, the pressures on the environment by production and consumption are currently much lower than in 1990. In 1996, water abstraction was 66% and primary energy consumption was 50% compared to 1990. The amounts of non-hazardous industrial waste, hazardous waste, wastewater discharge and the use of pesticides and fertilisers have decreased to a similar extent or even more.…