"Climate Change and Development: perspectives for Romania" at Cotroceni Palace

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly acute for Romania's citizens, President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, at the event "Climate Change and Development: perspectives for Romania"."The effects of climate change are becoming more and more evident and acute for the citizens of Romania, whether it is heat waves that have an impact on health, droughts with a negative impact on the economy or violent storms that destroy goods and endanger people's lives," the president said.Klaus Iohannis stressed that "it is essential to ensure that the climate transition will be fair, inclusive and compatible with economic growth".He recalled that the World Bank's Country Climate and Development Report, prepared in collaboration with the Romanian Government and the Presidential Administration is being presented at the event."One of the key conclusions of the report shows that Romania has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of our citizens and, at the same time, to go through the process of decarbonisation, which is necessary to achieve climate neutrality," said the head of state.Iohannis added that the report puts forward a series of recommendations that are in line with the directions he has also supported and promoted at national and international level in terms of addressing climate change."For example, the report highlights that people who are already socio-economically disadvantaged are more exposed to climate risks and less resilient to them, both in Romania and internationally. Measures targeting climate change are in everyone's interest and the costs of inaction or delayed action are enormous. Therefore, we need to create new financial and social instruments that focus more effectively on citizens with a high degree of vulnerability in the context of climate change," said Klaus Iohannis.According to him, strengthening human resources through education and skills development becomes essential for a successful green transition that will benefit the whole society."The report shows the ways in which we can reconcile climate action with the social and economic development of our country through investment, the development of green industries and integration into global green value chains. Areas in which Romania has a competitive advantage are also highlighted, thus expanding national expertise and knowledge in these areas," said the head of state.Klaus Iohannis said that in order to effectively manage climate change, "a cross-party pact is needed to ensure commitment and continuity in achieving medium and long-term climate objectives".A partnership for climate transition between state institutions, civil society, the private sector and academia, research and innovation is also needed, the president went on to say.  (Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)