Infoclima and its partners, EFdeN, ClimExRo and ARMAE launched on Wednesday a new report, “State of the Climate – Romania 2024”, which provides a clear perspective on the need for immediate action to prevent the irreversible consequences of climate change.
“The global climate crisis has reached a tipping point, highlighted by data from 2023 showing an increase in global average temperature of 1.48°C compared to pre-industrial times. Almost half of the days of the year exceeded the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, signaling the alarming direction in which the climate is heading, with profound impacts on ecosystems and society. Romania is already feeling these changes through the intensification of heat waves in the last seven decades. Between 1950 and 2023, their duration and frequency increased significantly, with most regions recording extensions of 10-15 days, and the southwest and east of the country more than 25-30 days. Projections indicate a continuation of this trend until the end of the century, affecting public health and the economy,” say study’s authors.
In addition to heat waves, drought is another major challenge for Romania. Areas affected by moderate, severe and extreme drought increased, with peaks in 2018-2020 and 2021-2023. The 2018-2021 drought is the longest on record, with devastating effects on agriculture and food security. The aridification trend continues, profoundly influencing ecosystems and agricultural production.
Other extreme weather events, such as severe storms, have also become more frequent. Between 1940 and 2023, an increase in favorable conditions for such events was observed, especially in the east and north of the country.
“Projections for 2025-2050 and the end of the century indicate an intensification of these phenomena, with a negative impact on agriculture and infrastructure. In addition, urbanization amplifies the effects of climate change. Cities become hotter and drier than rural areas, a phenomenon known as the Urban Heat Island, and temperature differences can reach up to 7-8°C. By 2040, heat waves and extreme temperatures will affect around 50% of the urban population, especially in cities such as Bucharest and Craiova. Adaptation requires integrated urban policies and nature-based solutions,” the cited work also states.
“With the increase in the global average temperature, we are approaching critical climatic points, irreversible thresholds with devastating effects. The weakening of the meridional circulation in the Atlantic can lead to a decrease in precipitation and intensification of droughts in Romania, affecting agriculture and food security. Anticipating these changes through early warning and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential. Climate policies thus become crucial. The European Ecological Pact and the European Climate Law set objectives for climate neutrality until 2050. Romania has implemented measures regarding energy efficiency and the promotion of renewable energy, but the lack of a national climate law and poor implementation underline the need for an integrated vision.”
The authors also say that the energy sector is central to this transition.
“Although fossil fuels predominate, there are plans to increase renewable and nuclear capacities until 2050. Electrifying the economy and developing energy storage infrastructure are essential to achieving climate neutrality. However, public perceptions are mixed. Although climate change is recognized as a problem, only 4% of Romanians consider it a national priority, economic concerns being dominant. Awareness of the impacts on agriculture, water, the economy and health does not yet translate into a strong demand for climate action. In this context, the “State of the Climate – Romania 2024″ report provides a clear perspective on the need for immediate action to prevent the irreversible consequences of climate change”.
