Moldova Hosts Third Municipal Development Cooperation Platform Meeting, Advancing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action

The Municipal Development Cooperation Platform held its third meeting in Chișinău, organized under the Covenant of Mayors-East initiative.

Participants addressed sustainable local development, energy efficiency improvements, green energy adoption for climate change mitigation, and local authorities’ role in promoting sustainable energy and environmental protection. The meeting discussed challenges and solutions in SECAP implementation and incorporated key aspects into the CoM-East national roadmap for energy investments and climate adaptation.

Energy Minister Victor Parlicov outlined the ministry’s priorities for local authorities, highlighting amendments to the Renewable Energy Sources Promotion Law. The changes allow local authorities to create energy communities and allocate capacity quotas within the “net billing” support mechanism.

Parlicov also mentioned an energy efficiency obligation scheme introduced in 2024 will contribute to Moldova’s Residential Energy Efficiency Fund.

“We’ll pilot these investments this year, followed by an ESCO-type investment mechanism for public authorities, managed by the National Center for Sustainable Energy,” said Parlicov.

Environment Minister Rodica Iordanov urged signatories to join the National Program for Forest Expansion and Rehabilitation to enhance climate resilience. The program aims to afforest erosion-prone and agriculturally unsuitable land within local authorities over the next decade and rehabilitate protective forest belts.

Iordanov emphasized that the National System for Monitoring and Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions promotes sustainable energy and environmental protection. Covenant signatories focus on reducing local CO2 levels as a major objective.

Signatories reiterated their need for governmental support to achieve climate neutrality goals.
The event presented opportunities from the “Climate City Gap Fund” supporting Covenant signatories. The fund has already selected Bălți municipality’s project for funding. Additionally, the Covenant of Mayors office supported Strășeni municipality in securing approval for another international program – Urban Transition Mission.

The meeting showcased results from 10 localities participating in the “Energy-Resilient Communities for Moldova with Diaspora and Native Associations Support” project. Funded by the German government through GIZ Moldova, the project aims to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources, lower energy bills, and improve environmental quality.

Four new localities – Gangura, Zaim, Coropceni, and Chetrosu – received flags and accession diplomas to the Covenant of Mayors in a solemn ceremony.

Attendees elected new members to the Platform’s permanent Group representing Covenant signatories. They chose Valentina Casian, Mayor of Strășeni, as President, and Alexandr Petcov, Mayor of Bălți, as Co-Chair.