New regulations on reducing methane, other climate pollutants in Moldova: drafts presented to public

Moldova is preparing new measures to reduce methane emissions and other short-lived climate pollutants through two strategic documents presented to the public in Chisinau today.

The National Plan on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants and the National Roadmap on Reducing Methane Emissions propose measures for the energy, agriculture and waste management sectors. The data analyzed show that these areas concentrate the main sources of methane in Moldova. The 2022 inventory estimates total emissions at approximately 64.96 kilotons, a value used as a reference point for modeling reduction measures. Reported sources include solid waste disposal, wastewater treatment, livestock farming and losses from natural gas systems.

According to the NGO EcoContact, historical data was updated within the project and six scenarios were modeled. They focus on improving energy efficiency in buildings, using renewable energy sources in medical institutions, reducing diesel consumption in agriculture, expanding waste collection and developing composting.

At the event, the discussions also addressed integrating the monitoring, reporting, and verification framework for short-lived climate pollutants into national climate policies, the use of the LEAP-IBC platform for scenario modeling and the inclusion of the proposed measures in national policies. Attending the meeting were representatives of public authorities, research institutions, operators in the energy, water and waste sectors, as well as environmental organizations.

The documents support Moldova’s contribution to the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30 per cent by 2030, compared to 2020 levels. The proposed measures may be included in the updated low-emission development programme  of Moldova by 2030, with a specific methane component, thus aligning it with the NDC 3.0 (updated Nationally Determined Contribution) targets.

The project, Development of the National Plan on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants and of the National Roadmap on Reducing Methane Emissions, was implemented by the NGO ProRuralInvest, in partnership with the NGO EcoContact and in cooperation with the Environment Ministry. The project is financed by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition through the United Nations Environment Programme.