EU High Level Adviser on Environment says Moldova in European Green Deal provides for overcoming challenges, turning to account opportunities, capacity of local actors

The European Green Deal (EGD) represents a comprehensive plan for sustainable growth in Europe, focused on the efficient use of resources. Although it regards the European Union’s transformation, the Deal provides also an opportunity of evolution for Moldova, which aspires to the accession to EU. Given that Moldova is set to align with the European standards, significant social and economic changes are needed, which impose a close cooperation between all sectors of the society. The governmental institutions, civil society and the private sector play an essential role in the promotion of these changes.  

Justina Grigaraviciene, High Level Adviser on Environment and Green Transition of the EU High Level Advisers’ Mission in Moldova, commented on the plan for MOLDPRES, as part of the project, Green Agenda for Moldova, implemented by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and backed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida/Asdi).    

Benefits of the European Green Deal

EGD is s strategic roadmap meant to stimulate the sustainable development and improve the quality of life through approaching the environmental and health challenges.  

Justina Grigaraviciene: For Moldova, the transition to the green economy, besides the modernization of its infrastructure, brings also long-term benefits. Through aligning with EGD, Moldova is heading to the achievement of higher living standards, without compromising the integrity of the environment. EGD is focused on the ensuring of conditions of cleaner air, safer drinking water, advanced public transport systems and better living conditions – by transforming these goals from abstract concepts into concrete realities.     

Role of local actors

For these benefits to become reality, it is essential that the local actors understand and actively support the initiatives.

Justina Grigaraviciene: Without their involvement, the efforts might face resistance or even fail. The promotion of a culture of dialogue, mutual understanding and joint action is fundamental. The development of skills and capacities at all administrative and society-related levels is crucial for overcoming the challenges dealing with the reforms and to ensure the long-term success. In the context, the local actors must be both participants and leaders in the process of green transition.      

Priority sectors and perspectives of development

Justina Grigaraviciene: The EGD’s comprehensive field of enforcement imposes the integration of its principles in all social and economic sectors of the country, especially in the agriculture, energy and infrastructure. These sectors must make efforts to achieve the climate neutrality, to enhance the resilience and improve the efficiency of the resources’ use. Special emphasis should be put on the promotion of the circular economy and on the principle ‘’leave no one behind.’’   

To achieve the EGD’s goals in Moldova, strategic reforms and significant investments are necessary. The efforts should focus on the cutting of the greenhouse gas emissions, enhancement of the share of renewable energy and the ensuring of a clear national road towards sustainability. This strategy does not regard only economic gains, but also the conformity with the EU’s environment standards, thus enhancing Moldova’s global competitiveness. In essence, the strategy pursues the getting of a higher level of prosperity at present, without compromising the capacity of the next generations to meet the needs.     

Importance of public perception

Justina Grigaraviciene: The EGD’s success does not depend only on the systemic changes and strategic reforms, but also on the perception and support of the public. The efficient communication of the EGD’s objectives and benefits plays a crucial role in the shaping of the understanding and acceptance among the citizens. This effort does not boil down only to the formal observance of the EU’s acquis, but also implies the carrying out of concrete improvements in the daily life, such more ecological heating technologies, a better quality of the air, cutting the pollution and enhancement of the resilience to the disasters triggered by the climate changes.    

The initiatives of strategic communication are vital, in order to start both changes of mentality and behavioral ones among the residents. The sharing of the best practices and the getting of support on behalf of EU member states can serve as a success model, making the EGD benefits clear and easy to understand for Moldova’s citizens.   

(For conformity, Lilia Grubii)