INTERVIEW MOLDPRES/ Environment Minister

Minister of Environment Sergiu Lazarencu gave an interview to MOLDPRES State News Agency

MOLDPRES: Mr. Minister, how would you assess the most necessary environmental achievement of 2024?

Sergiu Lazarencu: Following a Memorandum signed between the National Agency for Environmental Protection of Romania and the Environment Agency of the Republic of Moldova, our country has received from Romania a high-performance mobile laboratory that will be part of the national air quality monitoring network, designed for air sampling, such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and other hazardous substances. The procurement and implementation of the mobile laboratory is part of the efforts to improve environmental monitoring and protection, contributing to obtaining accurate data for air quality assessment and taking the right air quality measures. The mobile station will be used to carry out measurements at various locations, adapting to the needs of field monitoring.

MOLDPRES: And others, which would be among the top environmental achievements of the country?

Sergiu Lazarencu: There are several. In 2024, Law No. 98/2022 on atmospheric air quality, which transposes Directive 2008/50/EC, entered into force. It provides for the establishment of an integrated air quality management system, in line with European Union requirements, which will contribute to the identification and implementation of effective measures to reduce emissions to levels that minimize harmful effects on human health and the environment as a whole and to ensure the provision of information on atmospheric air quality to the public, online.

Also, to reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmospheric air, in 2024, by Government Decision no. 593 was approved the Regulation on reducing national emissions of certain air pollutants, which establishes the legal regulatory framework for achieving atmospheric air quality levels by establishing national commitments to reduce emissions of: sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia (NH3), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) - substances that seriously affect human health. The regulation aims to minimize the impact of air pollution on human health and environment.

MOLDPRES: What is new this year in the field of nature conservation and biosafety?

Sergiu Lazarencu: Approval of the new Forestry Code. The approval of the Forestry Code is essential for sustainable management of forest resources, environmental protection and prevention of illegal deforestation. It also ensures clear regulations on the exploitation, conservation and restoration of forests, contributing to ecological balance and sustainable economic development.

Such a legal framework ensures the implementation of clear risk assessment procedures, promoting transparency in the decision-making process and guaranteeing the application of European standards in the field, in accordance with the precautionary and food safety principles.

MOLDPRES: The year 2024 will go down in history as a particularly important year in the context of Moldova's rapprochement with the European Union. How is the coordination of public policies and European integration in the environmental field going?

Sergiu Lazarencu: We have several achievements in this respect. It is the participation in the strategic planning process at the national level through the elaboration and submission of contributions to the Government Activity Plan 2024, the National Regulatory Plan 2025, the National Development Plan 2025-2027, the National Plan for the Accession of the Republic of Moldova to the EU 2024-2027, the Medium-Term Budgetary Framework 2025-2027, the Growth Plan and others.

Also, I can mention the implementation of the preparatory activities for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union on Chapter 27 "Environment" and other chapters in which the Ministry of Environment has responsibilities - the assessment of the relevance of the EU regulatory framework for Moldova (self screening), participation in the explanatory screening on Chapter 27 "Environment" organized by the European Commission.

Also important is the creation and implementation of the consultative platform for consultation on draft decisions set up by the Ministry of Environment.

MOLDPRES: How active has the Ministry of Environment been in the year in terms of international presence and external assistance?

Sergiu Lazarencu: In this respect we had a busy year. The Ministry of Environment held the chairmanship of the Black Sea Common Maritime Agenda, and under this process the International Conference for Maritime Agenda was organized in Chisinau, attended by representatives of the countries of the Black Sea basin.

A new Environment and Climate Change External Assistance Coordinating Council was created, which met 3 times during the year to discuss external assistance needs in the sector and to discuss progress in the implementation of projects funded by development partners.

Several international cooperation treaties and Financing Agreements/Memoranda for external assistance projects were negotiated, signed and approved with various development partners, such as:

Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Moldova on the Implementation of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention);

The tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova, the forestry society of the deposit and consignment fund and the French Development Agency for the allocation of the grant of 1.2 million euro to ensure the implementation of the forestry reform program.

Three Grant Agreements concluded with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and one in the amount of 530 thousand euro with Swedfund International for the implementation of Moldova Solid Waste project.

Financing agreement with the EIB in the amount of 200 million euro (loan) for the implementation of the Forest Development Program in Moldova.

MOLDPRES: Waste and contaminated sites management remains a sensitive topic. What has 2024 achieved in this regard?

Sergiu Lazarencu: Intensive work is also being done in this area. Among the main ones I would name the extension of the contract on the implementation of the Solid Waste Project until December 31, 2029, the signing of the Agreements for Waste Management Regions (WMR) 1 and 2, as well as the identification of funding for the preparation of a feasibility study of hazardous waste for the purpose of creating a specialized center.

MOLDPRES: What do you have to tell us about integrated water resources management policies?

Sergiu Lazarencu: Water remains a vital natural resource, which is why the harmonization of national legislation with the EU has continued, with new regulations being approved by the government in particular to improve the monitoring of water resources. Thus, the Government has approved regulations on the use of water resources and hydro-technical constructions (HG 403/2024). Under the new provisions, both the state and local public authorities will be able to use their assets, which will allow for the recovery of revenues to the budgets and improved management.

MOLDPRES: Pollution prevention is a current and necessary desideratum, what are the actions of the national environmental authority in this regard?

Sergiu Lazarencu: It is a priority issue, and that is why the draft law on environmental liability with reference to the prevention and repair of environmental damage has been worked out. On December 13, 2024, the draft law on the amendment of certain normative acts, which adjusts the regulatory framework in accordance with the provisions of Law no. 227/2022 on industrial emissions, was adopted in the first reading in the Parliament session.

MOLDPRES: Specifically, on other environmental areas, what makes 2024 stand out?

Sergiu Lazarencu: Approval of the Safety Data Sheet, a document reflecting detailed information on the components, physicochemical properties, hazards and risks posed by the chemical substances and mixtures supplied, as well as ecological and toxicological data, information on exposure and personal protection, first aid and response measures in case of unintentional release into the environment, as well as with other information necessary to protect the environment and the health of the population. Benefits - well-informed users with access to accurate and reliable sources on the hazards and risks posed by chemical substances and mixtures supplied on the market.

Approval of the Regulation on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), a document aimed at complying with procedures to prevent or reduce the negative effects on the environment that can be caused by activities managing persistent organic pollutants.

With the financial and technical support of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, 154 tons of hazardous chemicals were collected and transported to Germany for incineration in a specially designed hazardous waste disposal site.

Approval of the Regulation on Hunting by Government Decision No. 811/2024 approving the Regulation on Hunting.

Approval of Government Decision No. 625/2024 on the approval of the signing of the Financing Contract between the Republic of Moldova and the European Investment Bank for the implementation of Moldova Forest Development Programme.

Approval of the Government Decision No. 785/2024 on the approval of the draft law on the ratification of the Financing Contract between the Republic of Moldova and the European Investment Bank for the implementation of Moldova Forest Development Programme, signed in Chisinau on September 17, 2024.

MOLDPRES: Traditionally at the end of the year, we can't help but ask you about the country's environmental agenda in the coming year, 2025?

Sergiu Lazarencu: It's a long list, but I'll try to state the most important ones briefly.

Priorities - 2025:

In order to develop the air quality monitoring infrastructure - for 2025 it is planned to approve the GD on monitoring and management of atmospheric air quality, which provides for the expansion and improvement of pollution monitoring networks, with the integration of new air quality monitoring stations and real-time reporting of pollution levels to provide transparent and accurate data. For this purpose it is planned for 2025 to procure with the support of the EU-UNDP project - Enabling an Inclusive Green Transition in the Republic of Moldova 11 automatic monitoring stations that will be part of the National Air Quality Monitoring Network.

Development of the National Air Pollution Control Programme - it will have a positive impact on the Republic of Moldova, in particular in the air quality, public health and transboundary collaboration for environmental protection.

Draft law on nature protection, which includes the revision of the legal framework on protected natural areas, and the ecological network. This draft ensures a more effective protection of vulnerable ecosystems, complying with the country's international commitments and contributing to sustainable development by integrating a more rigorous management of protected areas and preventing environmental degradation.

Government Decision on the approval of the Biodiversity Program for 2024-2030. The Program reflects Moldova's commitment under the Convention on Biological Diversity, to which the country has been a party since January 18, 1996, is a policy framework document that aims to reduce pressures on biodiversity, protect and restore ecosystems, and stimulate profound changes to reverse the trajectory of biodiversity decline.

Ensure the implementation of the commitments undertaken in international environmental treaties to which the Republic of Moldova is a party.

Elaboration of the feasibility study for MSRs 2, 4 and 7;

Create and update the legal framework for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility in order to avoid non-compliance by economic operators.

Preparation for the bilateral meeting in Brussels (priority of the Ministry of Environment set by the Minister).

Align the national regulatory framework with the production, placing on the market, export of chemicals, EU regulations on classification, packaging and labeling.

Approval of the government decision on the approval of the Regulation on the financial guarantee for environmental restoration.

Approval of the government decision on the approval of the program on sustainable use of mineral resources.

Elaboration and promotion of the Regulation on the manner and rates of calculation of the amounts of compensation for damage caused by violations of forest legislation (about 20 annexes).

People tell us that the changes that have begun in recent years must continue and they are hopeful that they will continue at a more accelerated pace in the coming period.

MOLDPRES: Thank you for the interview!

Author - Lilia Grubii