Croatia Aims for Emissions Cuts and Increased Renewable Energy Use
Croatia has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% below 1990 levels by 2030 and increasing its use of renewable energy sources. Oil and natural gas remain significant components of the country's energy mix.
The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) has released a profile detailing Croatia's energy landscape and climate objectives. As an EU member since 2013, Croatia has set ambitious targets for emissions reduction and the adoption of renewable energy.
The country aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030, aligning with European Union climate policies. For areas outside the EU Emissions Trading System, Croatia targets a 30% reduction. Additionally, the nation seeks to achieve a net removal of 593 ktCO2 in land use and forestry by 2030.
In 2021, Croatia's energy mix was primarily composed of oil (34.6%) and natural gas (29.5%). Biofuels and waste accounted for 20.3% of domestically produced energy. By 2022, 60% of the country's energy supply was imported. Croatia has since invested in an LNG terminal on the island of Krk, enabling it to replace a significant portion of its previous natural gas imports from Russia.
Croatia's renewable energy strategy includes expanding solar photovoltaic capacity, which saw a significant increase in early 2023, despite having one of Europe's lowest per capita capacities. Geothermal energy also presents potential. The nation's overall target is to increase the share of renewable energy sources from 31.7% in 2021 to 42.5% by 2030. In the electricity sector, the goal is to raise renewables' contribution from 53.5% to 73.6% within the same timeframe.