Romania

Continuing its downwards trend, Romania falls seven spots to 43rd in this year’s CCPI and is again among the low-performing countries. The country shows a mixed performance across the four main CCPI categories, with a high in Energy Use, medium in GHG Emissions, low in Renewable Energy, and very low in Climate Policy.

Romania’s high potential for renewable energy production remains unused

The CCPI experts note Romania’s climate change mitigation measures thus far are not comprehensive and lack strategic coherence. The Romanian government sees fossil gas as a transition technology, with numerous fossil gas investments and plans for new gas-fired power plants, as well as recent approval of fossil gas exploitation in the Black Sea.

Despite a plan to phase out coal by 2030, closure of lignite coal power plants by 2025, and closure of hard coal thermal power plants by 2030, threats of energy security may delay them. Moreover, no oil or gas phase-outs are planned.

The CCPI experts lament that Romania’s high potential for renewable energy production remains unused. This is despite Romania’s committing to the EU targets to reduce GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared with 2005 levels) and to reach net zero by 2050.

More ambitious climate targets are needed

To become aligned with a well-below-2°C trajectory, Romania needs to halt fossil fuels and commit to a just clean energy transition. It must also develop more ambitious climate and energy targets for 2030 and increase transparency and civil society’s inclusion in decision-making.

Faster implementation of energy efficiency measures in all energy-intensive sectors and development of the offshore wind energy sector are also needed.

Key Outcomes

CCPI experts

• Laura Nazare & Alexandra Doroftei (Bankwatch Romania)
• Roxana Bucată (2Celsius)