Environmental sustainability in Lithuania

The environmental sustainability is one of the key issues aiming to sustainable development. To environmental protection, efficient resource consumption and reduced pollution are aiming most of the international and national strategies and policies. Therefore the aim of this work is to analyse and evaluate the changes in environmental sustainability in Lithuania, a country which has undergone cardinal changes in all spheres of the life. Research covers period of 1990 - 2008 and is based on environmental Millennium Development Goals. Indicators like part of forested and protected territories, protection of biological diversity and species, which are at risk of extinction, emission of carbon dioxide and ground level ozone prosecutors and general water consumption in the country and others are analysed. The qualitative analysis on the progress achieved was performed and the some trends of people attitudes in regard to Millennium Development goals were surveyed via pilot study. Though in most cases Lithuania is performing quite well, but transition period led not only to positive environmental changes. Analysis of Lithuania’s environmental indicators showed that the only one aim to reduce greenhouse gases emission is achieved. In general the progress made is satisfactory to reach the environmental of Millennium goals till the indicated time in most cases. However, more attention must be paid for protection of biodiversity as the progress in this area is insufficient. Survey reveals that the majority – 74% of respondents have never heard about Millennium Development Goals. However, most of respondents as the most important goals indicated elimination of poverty and hunger in the world, reducing children’s death-rate and assurance of environmental sustainability. Regarding environmental aims, issues like emission of CO2 (54%) and protection of biodiversity (54%) were named as most important onesAplinkotyros katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta