Parliament adopts comprehensive reform of environmental institutions

Parliament today approved in the second reading a draft law aimed at reforming several institutions subordinated to the Ministry of Environment. The document was set by a group of PAS MPs, in cooperation with the relevant ministry.

The initiative seeks the gradual alignment with the European Union’s environmental acquis. The document provides for the transfer of competences in the field of geology and the management of chemical substances to the Environment Agency. At the same time, the State Hydrometeorological Service will be reorganized into a new public institution – the Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Authority, in order to increase efficiency in managing risks generated by climate change and extreme weather events.

Additionally, a subdivision will be created within the Environmental Protection Inspectorate, responsible for immediate response to environmental alerts, which will operate continuously. The Public Institution State Protected Natural Areas will also be established, responsible for the unified management of the protected natural areas fund.

The new provisions also include the partial alignment of national legislation with the EU Regulation on environmental economic accounts, as well as the creation of the necessary framework for the recognition in the Republic of Moldova of organizations registered in the Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) of the European Union member states.

In the second reading, several amendments were put forward, including those regarding the authorization for the use of subsoil for geological research, the exploitation of useful mineral substances, the use of groundwater for commercial or therapeutic purposes, as well as waste management, including hazardous waste.

To strengthen the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions, environmental permits will be required to include this component.

At the same time, amendments were made to the Subsoil Code and the Urban Planning Code, including the introduction of an annual contribution of 0.25% of the value of the financial guarantee for environmental restoration. This will ensure the resources needed for rehabilitation works and will reduce the risks of environmental degradation.

The procedures for environmental impact assessment, as well as those for strategic environmental assessment, have also been clarified, and the Contravention Code has been supplemented with sanctions for non-compliance with the rules on the prevention and remediation of environmental damage.