UN Moldova calls on everyone to ACT NOW for a greener future

The campaign highlights the urgent need for action to protect people’s health and life, their livelihoods, and the environment from the accelerating impacts of climate change.

“Moldova is already feeling the effects of a changing climate — more frequent droughts, floods, and heatwaves are threatening food security, livelihoods, health and communities,” underlines Yesim Oruc, UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova. “We must jointly act now to adapt, protect the most vulnerable, and invest in a sustainable and resilient future for all.”

Moldova is among Europe’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Annual average temperatures have risen by 0.58°C per decade since 1981, with record highs of 40.9°C registered in July 2024. Extreme weather events — from droughts to floods – increasingly affect agriculture, rural livelihoods, and public health, disproportionately impacting the poorest and most vulnerable ones. 

Farmers are among the most impacted. Agriculture, employing over 20% of the workforce and generating half of Moldova’s exports, faces declining yields and mounting risks. Yields of traditional staples such as corn, sunflower, and wheat have declined by more than 50% over the past five years. 

According to the Word Bank “Country Climate and Development Report”[1] severe flooding is also a recurring problem. Moldova’s average annual losses from multiple hazards are estimated at USD 164 million[2] equivalent to about 1.3% of its 2021 GDP.

Without decisive actions to safeguard communities against the intensifying effects of climate change, Moldova will not only face mounting economic losses, but also an accelerating decline of rural livelihoods. 

Supporting the ongoing global discussions on adaptation, resilience, renewable energy, and climate finance, the United Nations in Moldova calls for meaningful actions, whether big or small, to protect our communities and environment. Building resilience is a shared responsibility, harnessing the strengths of local communities, civil society, national and local authorities, and Moldovans abroad. 

Jointly led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with other UN agencies in Moldova, the campaign will feature stories of local champions of change, community-led initiatives, TV spots, and social media engagement. 

This initiative aligns to Moldova’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and COP30 priorities which call for urgent adaptation and resilience-building, inclusive climate action, just transition to sustainable economies, and empowering local communities and youth as agents of change. 

***

Background information

• The campaign aligns with the objectives stated in the National Climate Change Adaptation Programme, the National Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development (2023–2030), and Moldova’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable development and EU integration.
• Migration plays a pivotal role in resilience-building, contributing to financial resources, knowledge transfer, and rural innovation. In 2023, remittances totaled USD 1.627 billion, accounting for 11.8% of GDP and supporting 25% of households. Programs like PARE 1+1 and DAR 1+3 aim to engage diaspora communities in climate-resilient economic initiatives, showcasing the potential for participatory disaster risk management.
• COP30 — the annual UN climate summit held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This year the conference focuses on accelerating implementation and action, with particular emphasis on adaptation and resilience, the transition to renewable energy, and climate finance.

[1]Country Climate and Development Report

[2]According to DRF 2022