In recent days, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has, ahead of COP27, reaffirmed his country’s support for the EU’s stated aim of climate neutrality by 2050.
As world leaders gather in Egypt for the COP27 climate change conference, Romanian broadcaster Digi24.ro has spoken with the Minister of Environment, Water and Forests, Tanczos Barna.
In the interview, Barna states that Romania is going to COP27 with the hope of maintaining support for the goals that were negotiated with difficulty and accepted in Glasgow last year [at Cop26].
He adds that being part of an EU negotiation strategy is an important feature for Romania, given that whilst national targets are significant, combating climate change is not something that can be done by individual countries on their own. Emphasising this point, Barna explains that Europe “is the flag bearer in the fight against climate change”.
With reference to the specific policies pursued by the Romanian government since the last COP conference in Glasgow, the minister has pointed to a number of schemes set up by Bucharest.
One of these is the REPowerEU schemes through which Romania will increase its capacity to harness renewable energy via solar, wind and hydropower. In particular there have been 30,000 financing applications approved for the installation of solar panels at homes across the country.
There are also plans in place to expand recycling possibilities, particularly with regards to industries.
In terms of the Ukraine war, Barna claims rather than slow down progress on climate policies, Putin’s invasion has accelerated it. He states that as a result of the war there has been an increased need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and not to rely on Russian gas and coal.
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