Sustainable use of fuel wood resources for individual heating system in Latvia

Abstract

Over the past years, increasing attention is paid to sustainability and sustainable development, where three main components – economic, society and environment are not independent but interrelate with each other and seek compromise. Human and environmental wellbeing are goals to be achieved, but economic wellbeing is a factor enabling sustainability and providing it over time. On the way towards sustainability, one of important fields that have not been discussed sufficiently in Latvia is individual heating for households. To evaluate it, one can use quantitative indicators that point towards successful outcomes and conclusions for policy makers?. In the concept of sustainable development indicators play an important role because they indicate the relevant issue timely and based on outcomes it could be determined what needs to be done to achieve the goal. The aim of this paper is to determine the current situation in the energy sector in Latvia in order to establish indicators for monitoring sustainable development in the individual heating sector. The paper presents the results of statistical data analysis for the use of wood fuel in households.

Darbas apima individulių namų šildymo sektoriaus vertinimą. Pagrindinis tikslas – individulių namų šildymo sektoriaus įtakos vertinimas bei svarba siekiant tvarumo plėtros Latvijoje. Siekiant atlikti šį vertinimą buvo išanalizuota literatūra, apimanti praeities ir ateities situaciją Latvijos šildymo sektoriuje.