Thank you all for taking care of our planet

Klaus Iohannis said that Earth Day, marked on April 22 globally, is a new opportunity to sound the alarm to prioritize environmental challenges, a topic directly related to everyone’s well-being and health.

„Our planet faces accelerating climate change, loss of biodiversity, unsustainable development in urban centers, air pollution and plastic pollution. Environmental degradation entails huge human and material costs and, therefore, despite the multiple crises and challenges we are going through, we must find time and resources to prevent it. At the level of the European Union, we aim to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. As President of Romania, I contributed directly to the negotiations within the European Council, as a result of which Romania received substantial funds dedicated to environmental protection and the green transition. There is a need to accelerate the efforts of the Romanian authorities to use this funding and, therefore, I appeal to all central and local public institutions to mobilize so that the Romanians benefit fully and on time from the European green funding“, said Iohannis.

The President adds that by accessing European funds and properly implementing some projects related to waste water, forestry, green energy or energy efficiency, we will contribute to a healthier environment, increasing comfort in our homes, public health and access to energy. Moreover, Romania can invest in production facilities for essential goods and services in the climate transition and generate new jobs.

„An essential investment for an increased degree of environmental protection and a successful green transition is the one in climate change and environmental education. In the last year, Romania made a series of progress in this regard by implementing some measures that we supported: the adoption of the “National Strategy on Education for the Environment and Climate Change 2023 – 2030”, the introduction of the “Green Week” in the structure school year, as well as the development of a digital platform with educational activities and resources regarding the environment and climate change. In the next period, taking full advantage of the European Year of Skills 2023, we must accelerate the process of preparing human resources for the green and digital transitionKlaus Iohannis also said.

According to the President of Romania, effectively combating environmental degradation, limiting and adapting to climate change require a global effort that requires international cooperation, exchange of best practices and mutual support.

„At my initiative, Romania organized at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP27) in the Arab Republic of Egypt the round table “Promoting education on climate change” attended by heads of state and government, a first at the COP, thus marking the importance which education plays as an essential tool for reaching the climate objectives. I was honored to personally host the event and I am glad that we managed to bring this theme to the attention of international leaders. This year is also characterized by the intensification of bilateral diplomatic relations between Romania and countries in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. The discussions I had with the counterparts from these countries show the global nature of concerns related to environmental protection. Romania will cooperate more closely with partner states in areas such as limiting and adapting to climate change, renewable energy, effective management of drought and wildfires amplified by climate change, protection of forests and biodiversity, research and development of industries that support climate transition. Also, a priority field of cooperation in this context is education regarding climate change and the environment“, adds Iohannis.

The President of Romania says that many Romanian citizens contribute to improving the quality of the environment, either through professional activity or through voluntary actions, and probably most through small gestures, but with a big impact, day by day.

„Thank you all for taking care of our planet Earth”, concludes Klaus Iohannis in his Earth Day message.