Romania

Romania ranks 32nd in this year’s CCPI. It receives a low rating in Renewable Energy and Climate Policy, and high in GHG Emissions and Energy Use.

Romania is not currently meeting its climate targets. The country continues to drill for gas in the Black Sea (e.g. Neptun Deep project) and continues to invest in gas terminals, pipelines, and gas deposits. No phase-out of gas is in sight and the government is using gas as a transition fuel. However, a coal power phase-out is planned by 2032.

Romania’s Long-Term Strategy (LTS) was approved at the end of 2023. The country aims at climate neutrality by 2050. The LTS calculations would leave net emissions of over 3 million tonnes of CO2 per year. The CCPI country experts criticise that this scenario is not truly climate-neutral.

The country’s newly revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) has a more ambitious renewable energy target. It aims at renewables comprising 36% of the energy mix by 2030. The experts demand more transparency regarding climate targets, including timelines for mine closings, fewer gas investments, and more investments for climate-friendly projects.

Transport Sector and Buildings’ Energy Efficiency Need Improvements

More efforts to reduce GHG emissions are needed in the transport, building, agriculture, and industry sectors. The experts hope for more public transport, more bicycle lanes, and creation of low-emission zones in city centres. The new NECP draft adds a 41% GHG emissions reduction target by 2030 in the transport sector. Increasing the share of hybrid and electric vehicles is supposed to achieve this. Buildings’ energy efficiency in Romania still needs improvement. While the Environmental Fund Administration has implemented several programs to increase efficiency, methodological standards are still needed for properly applying the law for energy/emissions performance standards.

In international climate politics, the experts welcome Romania joining the Global Methane Pledge.

The experts demand the Romanian government increase renewable energy capacities, speed up investments in climate-friendly projects, such as energy efficiency measures, and stop climate-harming energy projects.

Key Outcomes

CCPI Experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

• Laura Nazare (Bankwatch Romania)