Republic of Moldova

With a population of around 2.59 million[1] (2022), Moldova contributes as little as 0.03% to the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is amongst the lowest range of the per capita footprint per region with 4.4 t CO₂e[2]. The key emitter sectors in 2020 were[3]:

The energy system in Moldova faces serious challenges, prompting a need to develop alternative sources of energy and secure an alternative energy import source, particularly given the unstable situation in Ukraine.
The total national direct GHG emissions (without LULUCF) had decreased in the Republic of Moldova during the 1990-2020 period by 69.8%, from 45.25 Mt CO₂ equivalent in 1990 to 13.66 Mt CO₂ equivalent in 2020 (the lowest level was registered in 2000 with 10.97 Mt CO₂ eq.). At the same time, net direct GHG emissions (with LULUCF) had decreased by 68.7% in the same time period, from 43.59 Mt CO₂ equivalent in 1990 to 13.66 Mt CO₂ equivalent in 2020 (the lowest level was registered in 2000 with 8.84 Mt CO₂ eq.). From 2000 to 2020, the consumption of primary energy resources had increased in the Republic of Moldova by 54.1%; while the intensity of emissions (CO₂eq/GDP) decreased by 42.6%, indicating signs of economic growth decoupling from the increase in GHG emissions by 24.6% over the period 2000-2020[4].
In its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the Republic of Moldova has committed to more ambitious targets than in its first NDC. The country’s new economy-wide unconditional target is to reduce its GHG emissions by 70% below its 1990 level in 2030, instead of 64-67% as committed in the first NDC, which could be further increased to 88%, if international low-cost financial resources, technology transfer, and technical cooperation are ensured.
The Fifth National Communication of the Republic of Moldova to the UNFCCC[5] reports that over the last 133 years, the Republic of Moldova has experienced changes in average values of temperature and precipitation. The country had become warmer, with an average temperature increase of more than 1.2°C, while the increase in precipitation was only 51.3 mm[6].

Moldova is highly vulnerable to climate change and variability, and the socio-economic costs of climate change related to hazards such as (1) droughts, (2) floods, (3) late spring frost, (4) hail are significant.
Increasingly erratic weather patterns have resulted in loss of life and income through rising food and energy prices[7]. The most vulnerable sectors are agriculture, human health, water resources, forestry, transport and energy.
Climate change is streamlined into the main strategic planning document of the country – the National Development Strategy “European Moldova 2030” (2022). Moldova approved in 2016 its Low Emissions Development Strategy for the year 2030. The National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan of the Republic of Moldova will outline the climate change mitigation in the sector until 2030 and 2050 horizontal. The Republic of Moldova is advancing in the second cycle of its National Adaptation Planning process (NAP2) and the National Climate Change Adaptation Programme until 2030 and the Action Plan for its implementation[8] is developed and is under promotion.
Moldova is set, for the next years, to ensure the country’s energy independence and the citizens’ supply with accessible energy, both in terms of source and price. This goal is seen in the Concept of Moldova’s Energy Strategy till the 2050 year, approved by the State Chancellery – a document of policies, which establishes priorities in the energy sector by the middle of the 21est century (2022).

[1] National Bureau of Statistics of the RM, Statistical data base
[2] http://clima.md/lib.php?l=en&idc=81
[3] www.clima.md/doc.php?l=ro&idc=82&id=5357
[4] http://clima.md/doc.php?l=en&idc=82&id=5801
[5] http://clima.md/lib.php?l=en&idc=81
[6] http://www.meteo.md/index.php/en
[7] National Development Strategy “European Moldova 2030”
[8] http://mediu.gov.md/ro/content/4196
https://mediu.gov.md/ro/content/consultarea-proiectului-planuluiprogramului

Climate policy development and advancing cooperation with the EU in Moldova

The EU-Moldova Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA), fully entered into force on 1 July 2016 after being applied – since September 2014. The Agreement significantly strengthens the political association and economic integration between Moldova and the EU. During the European Council on 23 June 2022, EU leaders granted EU candidate status to Moldova. With extensive support from the EU, Moldova is making gradual progress on the approximation of the EU environmental and energy legislation to ensure energy security and diversify supply sources, including renewable energy. The EU has supported climate change related actions in the transport sector as well, amongst others, by improving clean public transport in the largest cities and restructuring and modernizing the Moldovan railway sector. Moldova is moving forward on its low-carbon and climate resilient development pathway, with strong support from the EU and international financing institutions.

- 2014
  - Association Agreement with the EU
  - 3rd National Communication submitted to UNFCCC
  - National Adaptation Strategy until 2020
- 2015
  - Intended National Determined Contribution
    (INDC) 2016-2030
  - COP21 Paris Agreement
  - Pledge to Sustainable Developent
    Agenda 2030
- 2016
  - Biennial Update Report 1 (BUR) submitted to UNFCCC
  - Adopted LEDS (2016-2030)
  - Revised National Renewable Energy Action Plan
    (NREAP) (2018-2020)
- 2017
  - Low Emission Development Strategy (LEDS)
    2030 entered into force
  - Ratification of Paris Agreement
  - Third GHG Inventory submitted to UNFCCC
- 2018
  - Environment Agency set up
  - 4rd National Communication submitted to UNFCCC
  - National Measurement, Reporting and Verification
    (MRV) System set up
  - BUR2 submitted to UNFCCC
- 2019
  - EU4Climate launched
  - 3rd National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) (2019-2021)
- 2020
  - Updated NDC (2021-2030)
  - NAP 2 launched
- 2021
  - Draft updated LEDS 2030
  - Enhanced Transparency Framework
  - BUR3 submitted to UNFCCC
  - Ministry of Environment set up
- 2022
  - F-gases Law adopted
  - National Development Strategy “European
    Moldova 2030” adopted
  - MRV implementation capacity building
  - Roadmap for Moldova alignment with climate acquis
- 2023
  - Adoption of the Low Emission Development Programme
    until 2030 and the Action Plan for its implementation
  - Adoption of the National Climate Change Adaptation
    Programme (until 2030) and the Action Plan for its
    implementation
  - F-gases Law adopted
  - Climate law designed
  - NECP designed
  - 5th National Communication submitted to UNFCCC
  - Drafted Climate Law Concept
  - Ministry of Energy set up

EU4Climate key policy interventions and expected impact

Moldova is working towards establishing a strong foundation for low emission and climate resilient growth, being the fourth country to submit to UNFCCC a very ambitious updated NDC (on 4th March 2020). In addition, Moldovan Institutions increasingly recognize the importance of adapting to new climatic conditions and pledge a strong commitment to increasing preparedness to address disasters and climate risks.
However, being a developing country, with limited capacity, Moldova needs additional support to national efforts through international financial, technological, and capacity building assistance.

On 23 June 2022, the European Council adopted conclusions on the membership applications from Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia and has decided to grant the status of candidate country to Ukraine and to the Republic of Moldova, also recognizing the European perspective of Georgia.

EU4Climate in Moldova

The EU4Climate Programme, co-funded by the European Union, aims to support the development and implementation of climate-related policies by the Eastern Partnership countries. The EU4Climate initiative supports Moldova in elaborating its long-term low emission development strategy and mainstreaming climate in the sectoral strategies. A robust domestic emissions monitoring, reporting and verification system will be established, to inform the government and the international
community on the progress of its NDC implementation. Throughout the programme, the best international and EU practices will be applied.

Result areas and timeframe in Moldova

RESULT AREAS

2019

2020

2021

2022

NDC

Long-term LEDS

MRV System

EU Climate Acquis

Climate mainstreaming

Climate investment

Adaptation planning

Result areas and timeframe in Moldova

The EU4Climate substantial activities started in Moldova in the second half of 2019 and laid the footing for a systematic implementation of the requirements of the Paris Agreement and the commitments of Moldova under it. Throughout the programme, the best international and EU practices will be applied, including some alignment with the EU Acquis included in bilateral agreements and the Energy Community Treaty on Climate Action.

Full country profile can be downloaded here.