On September 4th, FICIL and CSR Latvia met with the Minister of Economics, Viktors Valainis, to discuss strategies for strengthening Latvia’s position in achieving the EU Green Deal objectives and creating opportunities for businesses to view sustainability as an opportunity. During the meeting, the need for a memorandum of understanding was discussed, which would help to create a shared understanding of future actions related to driving forward sustainability initiatives between the state and business industries.

During the discussion, the FICIL Energy and Green Economy work group leader, Dace Cīrule, and CSR Latvia emphasised the importance of strengthening local business capacity and aligning various sectors with national climate goals. 

FICIL also stressed the need to focus on implementing circular economy principles, including reusing materials, which is an important topic in the context of climate policy. The Minister Valainis acknowledged these concerns and expressed support for a structured approach, including through the climate council working groups, and for a potential conference at the Latvian Parliament on the green issues. 

The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue discussions and work towards a memorandum of understanding that outlines specific actions and timelines. FICIL and CSR Latvia are committed to fostering a constructive dialogue with the government, aiming to position Latvia as a leader in sustainable innovation and economic growth.