AGP Executive Report

Wildlife: Lithuania says 50 to 100 raccoons now roam the Curonian Spit, raising concern about pressure on local wildlife; trapping could begin by spring. Climate: September was Earth’s second-hottest on record, with January–September also ranking second-highest. Circular Economy: The EU selected 46 strategic raw-material projects across 16 member states, including Lithuania; 19 focus on recycling to strengthen local supply chains and cut reliance on imports.

Climate: September 2026 was the planet’s second-hottest on record, with the year so far also ranking second; another reminder of the pressure climate change puts on Lithuania and the wider region. Wildlife: Some 50–100 raccoons now roam the Curonian Spit, and trapping could begin by spring to curb the invasive population. Clean Energy: Lithuania is among 16 EU countries selected for new strategic raw-material projects, including recycling and materials needed for clean-energy technologies. Power Links: Lithuania and Poland have agreed technical arrangements for the Harmony Link interconnector, with construction in Lithuania planned from 2027 and commissioning targeted for 2030.

Wildlife: An estimated 50 to 100 raccoons now roam the Curonian Spit, prompting plans to begin trapping by spring. The invasive animals could threaten native wildlife. Climate: September 2026 was the planet’s second-hottest September on record, with January–September also ranking second hottest. Circular Economy: The EU selected 46 new strategic raw-material projects, including 19 focused on recycling. Lithuania is among the 16 member states covered, though no Lithuanian project was specified.

Climate: September was the planet’s second-hottest on record, with January–September temperatures also second-highest, according to global climate agencies. Circular Economy: The EU selected 46 new critical-materials projects, including projects in Lithuania; 19 focus on recycling to reduce reliance on imported minerals. Energy Links: Lithuania and Poland agreed technical arrangements for the Harmony Link electricity interconnector, with construction in Lithuania planned for 2027 and commissioning expected by 2030. Wildlife: An estimated 50–100 raccoons now roam the Curonian Spit, raising concern about the invasive animals’ impact on native species; trapping could begin by spring.

Critical Raw Materials: The EU has selected 46 new strategic projects across 16 countries, including Lithuania. Nineteen focus on recycling, part of a push to build more circular supply chains and reduce reliance on imports. Climate: September was the planet’s second-hottest on record, with 2026 also tracking as the second-warmest year to date. Curonian Spit Wildlife: Lithuania says 50 to 100 raccoons now roam the protected area, raising concerns about the invasive animals’ impact on native wildlife; trapping could begin by spring.

Climate: September 2026 was Earth’s second-hottest September on record, and January–September was the second-warmest year-to-date period, according to NOAA, NASA and Copernicus. Energy Links: Lithuania and Poland agreed on the connection arrangements for Harmony Link, a 220kV interconnector planned to begin construction in Lithuania in 2027 and enter service by the end of 2030. Wildlife: An estimated 50–100 raccoons now roam the Curonian Spit; trapping could begin by spring, as authorities move to address the growing wildlife concern.

Invasive Wildlife: Lithuania is assessing an estimated 50–100 raccoons on the Curonian Spit, where the animals threaten eggs, chicks and mollusks. The Environment Ministry is preparing a management plan, with trapping or hunting potentially starting next spring.

Environmental Crime: Ukrainian prosecutors say an organized group moved more than 4.7 tonnes of illegally mined amber abroad between April and June, disguising it as Lithuanian-origin goods through companies in both countries. The organizer and three alleged members have been charged. Invasive Wildlife: Lithuania is preparing a management plan for an estimated 50 to 100 raccoons on the Curonian Spit. The animals prey on eggs and chicks and feed on mollusks and human waste; trapping or hunting could begin next spring.

Curonian Spit Wildlife: Lithuania is counting an estimated 50–100 raccoons on the protected coastal spit, where the invasive animals prey on eggs and chicks and eat mollusks. Officials are preparing a management plan, with trapping or hunting potentially starting next spring. Climate-Smart Farming: A European study points to heat- and drought-tolerant sorghum as a possible alternative to water-hungry maize as summers grow hotter and drier. Sorghum remains rare in Europe, and researchers say more cold-tolerant varieties and stronger markets are needed.

Invasive Wildlife: Lithuania is preparing to manage an estimated 50–100 raccoons on the Curonian Spit, where the non-native animals prey on eggs and chicks and feed on mollusks and human waste. Trapping or hunting could begin next spring. Sustainable Fuels: A new NATO report, developed with research support from the alliance’s Energy Security Centre in Vilnius, examines future fuel supplies through 2050, including sustainable fuels and energy resilience in peacetime and conflict.

Lithuanian Security & Nuclear Policy: Lithuania’s parliament approved the first reading of a constitutional amendment to lift the ban on weapons of mass destruction on Lithuanian territory, with officials framing it as stronger deterrence and alignment with NATO partners. Baltic Environment & Wildlife: On the Curonian Spit, authorities are counting raccoons and preparing a control plan, with hunting likely from spring as the invasive species spreads and damages local ecosystems. Clean Energy in the Region: A European push for offshore wind is highlighted through Poland’s expanding Baltic fleet of giant turbines, aiming to deliver more clean power and jobs across the supply chain. Climate & Health (Europe): A European study ranks Reykjavik as a top city for sleep, linking rest quality to lower noise/light pollution and cleaner air—an indirect reminder of how environment shapes wellbeing. Maritime Sustainability: The 3rd Sagarmanthan dialogue in New Delhi (Oct 7–9) brings 1,200+ delegates to discuss the future of the global maritime sector, including sustainability and cooperation at sea. Space for Security: Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions reached a milestone in Germany’s SPOCK 1 program, giving armed forces dedicated all-weather radar satellite access for monitoring NATO’s eastern flank.

Lithuanian Security Law Shift: Lithuania’s parliament backed a constitutional amendment to remove the ban on weapons of mass destruction on its territory, a move officials frame as strengthening deterrence and aligning Vilnius with NATO norms. Nuclear Deterrence Debate: France’s M51.3 missile acceptance test—watched by President Macron—adds fuel to Europe’s wider discussion about how deterrence signals are evolving amid rising tensions. Aviation Jobs & Footprint: airBaltic plans to cut 500–700 jobs as it restructures around a smaller Airbus A220 fleet and a tighter network centered on Riga, with formal redundancy steps underway across the Baltics. Biodiversity & Invasives: authorities are counting raccoons on the Curonian Spit and preparing a plan to curb the invasive species, with hunting expected to start as early as spring. Circular Economy Research: a study tracking a cotton T-shirt’s journey found most cotton is lost before retail, with recycling potential capped—highlighting why better design and sorting matter for textile sustainability. EU Funding & Rights: the European Commission’s decision to stop funding the European Network Against Racism sparks alarm from NGOs, warning it could weaken the EU’s democracy and equality agenda.

Invasive Species Watch: Raccoons are taking over parts of the Curonian Spit, with authorities counting animals and preparing a control plan that could include hunting from spring. Biodiversity & Wildlife: The raccoons’ spread is worrying because they can raid bird nests and compete for food near settlements, with vehicle collisions already a major cause of deaths. Airspace Alert in Lithuania: NATO fighter jets were scrambled after a drone-like object crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, triggering a “move to a safe location” warning in Vilnius before the alert was cancelled. Regional Security: The incident underlines how contested the eastern flank is becoming, with Lithuania and neighbors reporting repeated drone incursions. EU Renewable Push: The European Commission approved three cross-border renewable projects, including wind and geothermal-linked district heating upgrades, adding to the bloc’s CB RES pipeline. Water Quality: A new study says Europe’s rivers are improving, but too slowly—only Slovenia is on track for 2030 targets. Circular Economy: Researchers followed a cotton T-shirt’s journey and found most fiber is lost before it can ever be recycled, with only a small share realistically returning to new clothing.

Invasive Species Watch (Curonian Spit): Raccoons are spreading on Lithuania’s Curonian Spit, with estimates of 50–100 animals near Juodkrantė; authorities are counting them and preparing a response plan, with hunting expected to start as early as spring. Biodiversity & Waste Link: The raccoons’ omnivorous diet includes bird eggs and chicks, and they’re also drawn to human food waste—raising stakes for local wildlife and waste management. Water & Pollution (EU rivers): A new study says European rivers are getting cleaner, but not fast enough for 2030 targets; only Slovenia is improving at the required pace, while others lag or worsen. Renewables (EU funding): The European Commission approved three cross-border renewable projects eligible for CB RES status, including wind and solar in Poland/Germany and geothermal/heat-pump upgrades in Austria/Germany. Circular Economy (Textiles): Research tracking a cotton T-shirt found 44% of its fiber is wasted before it even reaches stores, and recycling potential is limited—another warning for fashion waste. Security & Environment (Lithuania airspace): NATO fighter jets were scrambled after a drone-like object entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus; officials later cancelled the alert and searched for what it was.

Renewables Boost: The European Commission approved three cross-border renewable projects with CB RES status—WIND (650 MW onshore wind in Ukraine), DEPLoy (180 MW wind+solar in Poland/Germany feeding district heating), and ZEGA-LINNK (5 MW heat-pump upgrade for an Austria–Germany geothermal network)—making them eligible for Connecting Europe Facility Energy support. Water Quality Watch: A new study says Europe’s rivers are improving since 2015, but not fast enough for 2030 targets; only Slovenia is on pace, while many countries’ progress is too slow or even worsening. Lithuania Security & Environment Link: NATO scrambled jets after a drone-like object entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus; the alert was cancelled after about 40 minutes, but authorities are still investigating what it was. Border Pollution/Smuggling Angle: Border guards found remains of two weather balloons near the Belarus border and detained two men suspected of tracking them for cigarette smuggling. Energy Prices Pressure: Eurozone inflation jumped to 3.8% in September, driven mainly by higher energy costs—another reminder that climate and energy policy are tightly tied to everyday affordability.

Baltic Air Safety: NATO scrambled fighter jets over Lithuania after a drone crossed from Belarus, triggering a “find a safe place” alert in Vilnius before authorities cancelled it about 40 minutes later and launched a search. Cross-border Renewables: The EU Commission added three cross-border renewable projects to the CB RES list—WIND (Ukraine–Romania, 650 MW), DEPLoy (Poland–Germany, 180 MW), and ZEGA-LINNK (Austria–Germany geothermal district heating)—making them eligible for Connecting Europe Facility Energy support. Water Quality Watch: A new study says Europe’s rivers are improving since 2015, but not fast enough for 2030 targets; only Slovenia is on pace. Marine Pollution: Researchers highlight pharmaceutical pollution in the Baltic Sea, including diclofenac, and how scientists are trying to cut the damage to marine wildlife. Energy Prices in the Baltics: Estonia saw big electricity price swings in September, driven by maintenance and wind/solar variability—showing how quickly costs can jump when renewables dip. EU Budget for Farming: Seventeen EU leaders urged the Irish EU presidency to protect farm funding in the next long-term budget, pushing agriculture and cohesion as priorities. Lithuania–Belarus Border Signals: Border guards found remains of two weather balloons near the Belarus border and detained two residents suspected of tracking them, with a probe into vehicle ID tampering.