New Environment Minister Urged to Seek Balance, Build Expertise

The author extends sincere wishes for success to Lithuania's new Environment Minister, recognizing the profound impact her decisions will have. Beyond environmental protection, her role is crucial for the future of Lithuania's regions, the competitiveness of its forestry sector, thousands of jobs, and the state's capacity to harmonize nature conservation with economic prosperity.

With approximately two years remaining in the current government's term, the minister faces a tight timeframe. The author urges her to avoid wavering between different interest groups and instead focus on consistently implementing the government's program. This program emphasizes finding a balance in forest policy, a principle the author deems essential for every decision.

Forests in Lithuania serve multiple functions: preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and providing recreational spaces. Simultaneously, they represent a vital economic resource, generating employment, state revenue, and supplying raw materials for competitive industries. The author argues that balancing these ecological and economic roles is not a compromise of principles but a hallmark of a mature state.

The author cautions the minister against succumbing to pressure from extreme interest groups, some advocating for severe restrictions on economic activity and others for reduced regulation. Decisions, the author stresses, must be grounded in facts, science, long-term national benefit, and respect for those working in forestry. While radical voices may be loudest, they do not always represent the broader public interest; true political leadership involves listening to all perspectives while making independent decisions.

A significant challenge identified is the lack of professional forestry expertise within the ministry's leadership. The author calls for a deputy minister with professional knowledge of forestry, arguing that current forest policy encompasses climate change, bioeconomy, timber industry competitiveness, regional development, and EU regulations. This complex field requires not just political intuition but also professional knowledge, suggesting that a strong team is often more critical than a single capable minister.