Welcome to the Earth.Org Global Sustainability Index, where Earth.Org examines the policies and actions regarding the environment of every nation on earth. Combining the most respected global indexes on pollution, climate change, policy, energy, oceans, biodiversity we have produced an overall Global Index, which will be updated annually. This is the Global Sustainability Index scorecard for Romania.

Romania is following the EU clean energy transition targets. The EU has set binding climate and energy targets for 2030: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40%, increasing energy efficiency by at least 32.5%, increasing the share of renewable energy to at least 32% of EU energy use and guaranteeing at least 15% electricity inter-connection levels between neighbouring Member States. To ensure that the EU targets are met, EU legislation requires that each Member State drafts a 10- year National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), setting out how to reach its national targets, including the binding national target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). 

Romania’s overall renewable energy contribution is significantly below the share needed. Considering its draft plan of ‘becoming an important player in achieving the EU 2030 energy efficiency targets, the ambition level of the foreseen contributions are very low.

However, Romania has considered setting up an energy efficiency investment fund funded by private, public and EU funds to co-finance auction revenue and new support mechanisms, as well as decarbonisation technologies and processes. Depending on its implementation, this fund could efficiently pool resources to trigger needed investments in those sectors. 

The government also intends to promote transport via waterways as a more eco-friendly form of transport.

Overall, the government says that it will ‘try to promote policies to drive growth at EU level as well as increase the financial feasibility of implementing new sustainability measures in smaller economies within the EU.

Global Sustainability Index scorecard Romania

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References:
Earth.Org Global Sustainability Index Ranking image description: Romania Rankings – Policy: 86, Pollution: 24, Climate Change: 170, Oceans: 170, Biodiversity: 159, Energy: 3, Earth.Org Global Sustainability Index Ranking 125.