Beyond Fit-for-55: How can Romania align with the EU’s 2040 climate target?

In 2024, the EU proposed a target of reducing GHG emissions by 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. This target not only secures the pathway to climate neutrality by 2050, but also gives a clear signal of what the 2030-2040 decade will look in terms of fossil fuel phase-out, cleantech development and just transition, among others. The proposed 2040 target underscores the EU’s commitment to aligning with the Paris Agreement while making significant progress towards its long-term goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

To help reach the Union’s climate targets, Member States are required under the EU Governance Regulation to develop long-term strategies for climate change mitigation.

Romania’s Long-term Strategy (LTS), adopted in 2023, sets a target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, provides a framework for interim targets, and proposes policies to achieve a cohesive and sustainable approach to climate change mitigation. It defines a clear interim target of 78% emission reduction by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels), reaching 91% in 2040. The adopted LTS could enhance Romania’s contribution to he EU’s collective emission reduction efforts and achievement of climate neutrality by 2050.

These interim goals serve as benchmarks on the pathway towards achieving Romania’s longterm climate objectives, as they enhance predictability, safeguard against potential setbacks, and enable earlier investments in new technologies and infrastructure. Although the LTS aligns with the proposed EU 2040 target, Romania does not have a legally binding target for 2040 and the strategy still exhibits gaps and uncertainties regarding its implementation. These shortcomings add to other challenges Romania faces in meeting its climate objectives, especially given its reliance on fossil fuels, hard-to-abate industries, regulatory uncertainties and limited fiscal capacity. Uncertainties and risks may also arise from various technological, economic, or political factors, as well as public resistance to climate policies and geopolitical shocks. These risks must be mitigated through clear, robust policies and commitments at national and sectoral level.  

Moreover, Romania has already submitted to the Commission the final version of its updated NECP (which is more ambitious than the LTS) and has adopted other key sectoral strategies (the National Hydrogen Strategy, the National Adaptation Strategy, the National Energy Strategy and the Romanian Industrial Strategy 2024-2030). According to the Governance Regulation, Member States should update their long-term strategies only if they deem it necessary. To align with the latest national and EU policy developments, enhance coherence, and increase certainty in the achievement of existing emissions targets and trajectories, a revision of the existing LTS may be due.


ioana vasiliu - enpg
Ioana Vasiliu, EPG Senior Researcher

Ioana works as a Senior Researcher within the Clean Economy Programme of EPG. She holds a bachelor degree in management for public administration and a post university diploma as expert for sustainable development both from the Economic Academy of Bucharest.

Before joining EPG, Ioana worked for Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests as european affairs advisor within Climate Strategies and Reporting Department.

Over the last years, she has been involved in addressing climate change at national level, by developing policies and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects and impacts of climate change.

At international level she acted as rapporteur for climate change adaptation policies and NECP, is member of UNFCCC expert roster and coordinated Romania’s accession process to the OECD, in the field of climate change.

Contact: ioana.vasiliu@enpg.ro

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