2015年-世界发展银行全球_Romania_Toward_a_Low_Carbon_and_Climate_Resilient_Economy___Institutional_Capacity_Building_6页_1mb

Summary of Romania: Toward a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Economy

Core Content

Romania has committed to developing a low carbon and green growth path, positioning climate change (CC) as a national priority. The country has established several national strategies, including the National Climate Change Strategy 2013–2020, the National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2013–2030, and an updated National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016–2030, accompanied by an action plan for 2016–2020. At the European level, Romania is aligned with the Europe 2020 Strategy and participates in the process for setting 2030 GHG emission reduction targets. Internationally, Romania is a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol and is part of global efforts to combat climate change.

Main Views

Romania's current institutional arrangements for climate change are marked by significant weaknesses in administrative capacity. Despite legislative and policy progress, the implementation of climate strategies remains inefficient and fragmented, particularly due to:

• Weak cross-sectoral integration: Climate change is primarily managed by the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (MEWF), which has limited authority over the broader policy areas that CC affects.
• Bureaucratic and slow decision-making: The policymaking process lacks consistency and long-term planning.
• Limited monitoring and evaluation tools: There is a lack of effective mechanisms to assess the impact of CC policies, such as energy efficiency in housing.
• Low public and stakeholder engagement: CC is not widely seen as a national priority, except in the aftermath of disasters. Public awareness and participation in climate-related matters are generally low.

Key Information

Institutional Capacity Gaps

1. International Engagement: Romania lacks the capacity to actively participate in global and European CC discussions. It needs to become more proactive and evidence-based in its international climate policy.
2. National Level: CC is not a consistent national priority. The current policy framework is fragmented, and there is no effective system for monitoring or evaluating CC initiatives.
3. Local Level: Local authorities have limited capacity and incentives to implement climate change policies. There is a lack of community engagement and involvement in climate action.

Recommendations

• Treat CC as a national priority: Ensure that climate change is integrated into all levels of policymaking and budget planning.
• Reform the National Commission for Climate Change (NCCC): Create a more functional and powerful body for policy coordination, with a political and technical tier and multiple working groups.
• Enhance cross-sectoral collaboration: Involve multiple ministries and stakeholders in CC initiatives, particularly through the Climate Policy Network (CPN).
• Improve public awareness and engagement: Increase knowledge and awareness of climate change among the public, policy makers, and project managers.
• Strengthen education and training: Integrate climate change and low carbon economy topics into the educational system and promote life-long learning for public servants.
• Efficient use of European funds: Leverage the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) to support CC initiatives, particularly through the OPERA-CLIMA program.

Financing

Romania has access to 6 billion euros from the ESIF for CC-related actions between 2014 and 2020. However, the use of these funds has been limited, often due to non-functional legal mechanisms. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) funds remain largely unutilized, highlighting the need for institutional reform and policy coherence.

Conclusion

To effectively implement its Low Carbon Green Growth Program (LCGGP), Romania must significantly enhance its institutional capacity, cross-sectoral integration, and public engagement. The country needs a reformed governance structure, better policy tools, and stronger stakeholder involvement to ensure that climate change is not only a policy priority but also a strategic national goal.