March 2021

Strengthening Climate
Change Resilience in Rural Moldova
Intervention Strategies on Sustainable
Biomass Use, Forest and Water Management

A study by:

Petru Vinari,
Evgheni Camenșcic,
Constantin Borosan
and Julian Gröger

Supported by:
Contents
Introduction 3

Chapter 1 4
Energy from biomass in Moldova 4
1. Data and trends 4
2. Stakeholders on biomass in Moldova 8
3. Socio economic opportunities in the biomass sector 10
4. Good practices and recommendations 11

Chapter 2 13
Water management in the Republic of Moldova 13
1. Data and trends 13
1.1 Water resources 13
1.2 Use of water 14
2. Stakeholder mapping 15
3. Today’s challenges and opportunities 16
3.1 Climate change 16
3.1.1 Water supply system 17
3.1.2 Sewage system 18
3.2 Migration 21
3.3 Threats 21
4. Good practices 22
5. Recommendations 27

Chapter 3 28
Forest management in the Republic of Moldova 28
1. Data and trends 28
2. Stakeholder mapping 36
3. Socio economic opportunities 40
4. Good practices and recommendations 42

Conclusion 43
Introduction

The 2020 drought with its immediate consequences for the Moldovan economy has reminded
the country that climate change is not something abstract that can be left to some global ne-
gotiation processes, but has become real also locally. The coming decade will decide whether
the turnaround towards a world with an increase in global warming limited to 2°C will be
possible. The European Union has made the European Green Deal its central and cross-cutting
flagship project to achieve the overall goal of decarbonisation of the economy as part of the
global fight against climate change. The success of the Green Deal, among many other factors,
also depends on its outreach and wise interplay with neighboring countries. The cooperation
on this end is necessary both for achieving effective emission reductions and for closing or at
least not widening further the welfare gap between the EU and its neighborhood.
With this background in mind this paper intends to take a closer look into the perspectives for
sustainable development in rural Moldova. This is particularly relevant because the Moldovan
economy is largely shaped by small scale rural and agricultural businesses. Energy poverty is
widespread among the rural population. The effects of climate change like droughts and over-
all water scarcity make the rural areas more vulnerable and threaten the basis for sound rural
development – fertile soils and a healthy environment with clean air and water. Agricultural
products hold a relevant share in the trade relations with the European Union.
For Moldova, this topic is full of challenges and threats but also opportunities and “low hang-
ing” fruits as this paper wants to show. In the three chapters - biomass use, forest management
and water management - we describe trends, stakeholders, challenges and opportunities. For
each chapter the authors will show good practices and give recommendations. We hope that
this paper contributes towards fostering a deeper understanding and a substantive discourse
both in the Moldovan public discourse and in the governmental and civil society dialogue with
EU partners for shaping future cooperation on this matter.
I would like to express my gratitude to the authors Julian Gröger, Petru Vinari, Evgheni Camenșcic
for all their passionate efforts and profound contributions to this project.

Berlin, March 2021

Robert Sperfeld
Senior Program Officer
East and South East Europe Department
Heinrich Böll Stiftung

3
Chapter 1
Energy from biomass in Moldova
In a country with less than 11% of its surface covered with forest, firewood in inefficient
stoves in poorly insulated houses, shouldn’t be a normal situation, but it is. In this chapter
we will take a look at the situation of energy markets in Moldova and give recommenda-
tions for steps to take connected to this. The political setting gives various incentives and
pushes for improvements. Moldova is committed to climate protection based on the Paris
Agreement. Moldova is highly dependent and vulnerable due to gas imports from Russia.
Plus, there are a lot of low-hanging fruits to be harvested by implementing simple energy
efficiency measures.

1. Data and trends

In the 90s, Moldova’s emissions dropped, similar to all post-soviet countries. It is conve-
nient for Moldova to have the year of 1990 as a baseline for climate negotiation. Setting
the year of 2000 as a baseline, would be more honest and show real ambition:
https://www.climatewatchdata.org/countries/MDA?calculation=ABSOLUTE_VALUE&source=CAIT

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Emissions Targets

4
 Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2017

The first graphic (on the previous page) shows that Moldova’s emissions have been quite
stable over the last 20 years. Given the fact that over the same period the country lost
about 10% of its population, that means that the per capita emissions even increased.
The two yellow dots on the 2030 show the mitigation targets. The unconditional target
of 70% (to 1990) means maintaining the status quo and no ambition. A 88% target,
however, would mean some serious measures and societal ambition. The government
promised to go for this 88% target only with the condition that Moldova receives foreign
aid in implementing the transition.
The second graphic shows the shares of the emissions in 2017. More than 70% go back
to the energy sector. Hence, without tackling the energy sector, climate protection will
be impossible. That is the case in all countries around the globe but we will analyse
further what makes Moldova a special case and what is the role of biomass.

5
 Total energy supply (TES)
by source, Moldova

In the 90s the usage of coal and oil went down

Energy supply by source,
together with the end of many industrial plants
Moldova, 2018
in Moldova. What was a disaster for the econo-
my, was good for the climate. Graphic number 3
shows that the usage of natural gas, however, is
quite stable. The production of mostly all elec-
tricity (more than 90%) and also a big share of
the heating system is based on gas.
For the heating supply, biomass has always
played a big role, especially in the rural areas
where only 41% of the households have access to
gas. According to theInternational Energy Agency
20% of the total Moldovan energy supply is rep-
resented by “biofuels and waste”. In the graphic
number 3 it seems that biofuels started to play
a bigger role in 2009 only but that doesn’t quite
represent the reality. Before 2015, the data on
firewood burning was basically not quantified. In
2015 Moldova received technical assistance from
Energy Community Secretariat (in frames of the
“Energy and Biomass” project (EU money, imple-
mented by UNDP)), within which the biomass
consumption was recalculated for the previous 5
years, but still these numbers are based on esti-
mations.

6
The 25% share of “biofuel and waste” might look like a reasonable number for an agricul-
tural country like Moldova. We could assume that a lot of agricultural waste was turned
into biogas or pellets and used in efficient boiler systems. The tragedy however is reflect-
ed in graphic number 4.

Biofuel and waste

The vast majority of this “biofuel and
waste” is represented by wood, 86%
represents firewood and 7% constitutes
waste wood. Other sources are almost
nonexistent or are only in a very incipient
phase like, for example, pellets from waste
and biogas. Moldova suffers from droughts,
soil erosions and floods. Forests cover less
than 11% of the country and yet forests
are used to supply heating in a significant
amount. These numbers differ between the
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the
agency that is responsible for the forest,
Moldsilva. The number of m3 timber that
is taken out from the forest according to
NBS and the number that Moldsilva has in
its annual report 1 diverge a lot. Moldsilva
claims an annual amount of 400 to 500
thousand m3 of timber being cut. According
to the NBS, based on data from surveys,
this amount could be up to 10 times higher.
The NBS methodology will be revised and
experts say that the real amount of timber
taken out from Moldovan forests is around
1-1.2 Mio. m3 - so 2 to 3 times higher
than Moldsilva reports. The suspicion is
that a lot of timber is taken out illegally. A
country with such little forest surface and
a vulnerability to climate change shouldn’t
put so many trees in stoves, and a big part

1 http://moldsilva.gov.md/pageview.php?l=ro&idc=192&t=/Activitati/Valorificarea-padurii/Produse-lem-
noase&, last seen 29.01.2021

7
2. Stakeholders on biomass in Moldova

The situation is challenging but there are stakeholders who are working to improve it.
International Aid tries to stimulate people to invest in pellet production from waste.The
government tries to motivate its citizens to invest in better insulation and more efficient
heating systems. First pioneers are producing biogas. I include below a stakeholder map
of the biomass energy sector in Moldova.
The government has the institutions neces-
sary to improve the situation in the forests
and within the households but lacks human
and financial capacities. It is financially unat-
tractive for talented, honest people to work
in these governmental agencies. There is a
high fluctuation in staff and few long-term
concepts that hold longer than one election
period, due to political instability. Hence, the
public sector is weak.
Foreign players try to step in in order to
enhance capacities or stimulate markets. A
UNDP initiative with EU money managed to
help first pellet producers to step into the
market (“Energy and Biomass”, 23 Mil. € 2).
The Swedish Agency SIDA supports local CSOs
(civil society organizations) to raise aware-
The consumers are the ones suffering mostly
from the situation in the Moldovan energy
sector. There is no exact data, but according
to experts, an average Moldovan household
pays around 20% of its income for electricity
and heating - in urban areas, about 15% and
in rural areas, about 25% (compared to Ger-
many: 4% 3). In villages, houses are mostly
poorly insulated as energy was extremely
cheap when they were built. In the cities of
Chisinau and Balti, many families live in bad-
ly insulated flats where they can’t regulate
their heating. It is possible to regulate room
temperatures only by opening windows. In
the context of additional investment in ener-
gy efficiency, the average Moldovan house-
hold has little money to spend and bank in-
2 https://ec.europa.eu/budget/euprojects/moldova-energy-and-biomass-project_en,
last seen 29.01.2021
3 https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/166449/umfrage/ausgaben-der-haushalte-fuer-ener-
gie-ohne-kraftstoff-seit-1990/, last seen 29.01.2021
9
ness about environmental challenges. A re-
cent study by UNDP “The People’s Climate
Vote” revealed that only 50% of Moldovans
believe in the Climate Emergency. Of all 50
participating countries Moldova is by far the
last (behind countries like Iraq, Nigeria or
USA). Local CSOs like EcoVisio, Eco-Contact or
Eco-Tiras try to spread more awareness and
information around these issues.
The biomass energy business sector is young
and in a pioneering phase. Biogas is still not
a wide-spread technology but in some re-
gions this technology gains significance (e.g.
in the district Anenii Noi). A growing number
of about 75 solid biofuel producers are well-
spread in the country - with a slight focus on
the wealthier central part of the country:
terest rates start at 7,5%. Moldovan citizens
do not tend to plan for longer than 3 years.
This leads to little engagement in medium
or long term investment in the house (insu-
lation, changing heating systems, solar en-
ergy).
The civil society organizations are mostly
small (3-30 people) and, as reflected in the
overall society, energy has not yet become
a focus area of their work. “Renasterea Ru-
rala” is probably the only grassroot initiative
with a focus on energy, implementing small
scale solar and biomass projects in the rural
area and they are a team of 5 people. The
Civil Society sector is unstable because of
the dependence on external financing.
 3. Socio economic opportunities emissions. One cultural opportunity lies in the
in the biomass sector fact that Moldovans like their forests and appre-
ciate them. Also planting activities could reach
many more volunteers if they are well commu-
Parallel to all these described challenges that the nicated and insure long-term care.
Moldovan energy sector has (dependency on im-
Insulation is probably the easiest and fastest way
ports, lack of forested areas, poor infrastructure
to decrease emissions. First entrepreneurs start-
and little financial possibilities), there are many
ed to offer their services. The material they use
opportunities to start improving the situation.
for insulating is mostly imported. Insulation ma-
The possibilities of existing biomass “waste”
terial could also be produced from organic and
are not fully harnessed. For instance, instead of
locally produced biomass materials. Here circular
composting for soil improvements, many Moldo-
concepts are to be stimulated. With simple and
van households, in rural areas, burn their organ-
first insulation activities (for example insulating
ic waste in the garden. In autumn the fresh air
all roof tops), people could raise their trust in this
from the countryside smells rather smokey. This
technology and see positive effects.
is just one example demonstrating the lack of
consciousness, on one side and the potential for A boiler heating system using pellets is about
low-hanging fruits to be harvested, on the other. 5 times more efficient than the wide spread
stoves in rural area houses, which use firewood.
For about 10 years, first pellets and briquettes
An average Moldovan countryside household
producers have been collecting waste and press-
with an average Moldovan house eager to make
ing it into efficient biofuels. Heating systems can
the transition from the firewood burning stove
be automatized and become more efficient with
to a boiler system with solar thermal support
the help of pellets. In an agricultural country like
and pellet burning, would need to invest about
Moldova there is still much more organic waste
4.000 €. According to average numbers, this in-
to be harnessed. Processes could be developed
vestment would be returned through savings in
in a decentralised way.. Each district (“raion”)
approximately 8 years. This seems to be fast and
could develop its own biomass concept. This con-
easy. Without external impulses it’s still too diffi-
cept would specify how the villages collect the
cult for the households, because of the planning
resources, where biofuel material is produced
horizons but also because of credit interest rates,
and how it gets to the households. This should
which start from 7% in the beginning of 2021
include biogas. Each village could feed its biogas
(the lowest for a long time) and range from 15%
station. The Western model of big scale biogas
and up to 30% in crisis years.
plants, based on monoculture, does not have to
be repeated. The opportunity to create jobs and One more big challenge in urban areas is the
incomes in the regions (where people still emi- structure of property and responsibilities. After
grate from) is enormous and would have multi- gaining independence in 1991, all state-owned
ple positive effects. flats were privatized. This decentralised property
model together with lack of financial power and
Overheating a house to 25 degrees or more, is
lack of trust causes inefficient activities on the
still a sign of non-efficient stoves but culturally
(mostly block) buildings. Most residential asso-
it is also a sign for wealth and, sometimes, good
ciations are ineffective. Laws should be imposed
hospitality. Here, informational campaigns and
to raise efficiency, together with social cushion-
awareness building could help save costs and
ing for those who need it.

10
 4. Good practices and recommendations
The biomass sector is promising in Moldova. Its
development can lead to many positive effects:
climate protection, more independence, decen-
tralised, circular and regional economic flows.
Still, at the same time, many worrying facts are
attached to the biomass sector. Right now the
forests pay the price and are suffering from il-
legal, excessive cuttings. There is the danger of
monoculture and over-exploitation of soil if bio-
mass gets a bigger share of the Moldovan ener-
gy supply.
Here is a list of recommendations:
1. As 50% of all energy is consumed in residen-
tial buildings, these households need infor-
mation and incentives. The existence of local,
Moldovan funding sources for free and inde-
pendent energy consulting services can help
stimulate the demand and create reliable
good practices. Such an externally financed
initiative existed in 2015 but it ended when
the European project funding finished 4.
2. There have been many financial incentives
already trying to stimulate the market. None
of them were a big success. This is mainly
because they only offered better conditions
with credits and still expected a lot of the
household’s own resources. Here comes the
question, can we still afford waiting until
consciousness spreads. An example from
Romania has shown that a post-factum 50%
subvention of investments into energy effi-
cient homes worked well (the program “Casa
4 http://old.aee.md/primele-stiri/buletin-comunicat-anun/363-un-centru-unic-de-informare-pen-
tru-consumatorii-de-energie-durabil-n-moldova, last seen 29.01.2021
5 hhttps://www.afm.ro/casa_eficienta_energetic.php, last seen 29.01.2021
6 https://gov.md/sites/default/files/document/attachments/intr14_168.pdf, last seen 29.01.2021
11
Eficienta Energetic” 5). As the saved money is,
otherwise, money that goes to Russia’s Gaz-
prom or into destroying the forest, the Mol-
dovan government and its partners should
think about investing more money directly,
as well.
3. Soon there will be a law that demands more
initiative from house owners regarding insu-
lation and energy certificates 6. House own-
ers and their associations should receive se-
rious support for this unpopular step. CSOs
have to play an important role in facilitating
neighbourhood meetings or explaining nec-
essary measures and investments. Here a
lot of proactive communication with citizens
will be necessary to win the trust and good
will of citizens. The need for energy audits
and certifications of houses is obvious. The
danger of non-transparencies and corruption
exists as well.
4. As 50% of all energy is consumed in residen-
tial buildings, these households need infor-
mation and incentives. The existence of local,
Moldovan funding sources for free and inde-
pendent energy consulting services can help
stimulate the demand and create reliable
good practices. Such an externally financed
initiative existed in 2015 but it ended when
the European project funding finished.
5. As 50% of all energy is consumed in residen-
tial buildings, these households need infor-
mation and incentives. The existence of local,
Moldovan funding sources for free and inde-
pendent energy consulting services can help
stimulate the demand and create reliable
good practices. Such an externally financed
initiative existed in 2015 but it ended when
the European project funding finished.
6. There have been many financial incentives
already trying to stimulate the market. None
of them were a big success. This is mainly
because they only offered better conditions
with credits and still expected a lot of the
household’s own resources. Here comes the
question, can we still afford waiting until
consciousness spreads. An example from
Romania has shown that a post-factum 50%
subvention of investments into energy effi-
cient homes worked well (the program “Casa
Eficienta Energetic”). As the saved money is,
otherwise, money that goes to Russia’s Gaz-
prom or into destroying the forest, the Mol-
dovan government and its partners should
think about investing more money directly,
12
as well.
7. Soon there will be a law that demands more
initiative from house owners regarding insu-
lation and energy certificates. House owners
and their associations should receive serious
support for this unpopular step. CSOs have to
play an important role in facilitating neigh-
bourhood meetings or explaining necessary
measures and investments. Here a lot of pro-
active communication with citizens will be
necessary to win the trust and good will of
citizens. The need for energy audits and cer-
tifications of houses is obvious. The danger
of non-transparencies and corruption exists
as well.
 Chapter 2
Water management in the
Republic of Moldova

1. Data and trends. History

of agriculture and water
resources in Moldova / General
background regarding water in
Moldova.

1.1 Water resources

Surface water
Moldova is a land locked country, with limit-
ed access to water resources. There are two
main sources of surface water: Dniester and
Prut rivers. Dniester is the biggest river, and
has an annual discharge (10.7 km3) nearly 4
times higher than Prut river (2.9).
The basin of the Dniester river with its tribu-
taries occupies 67% of the country’s territo-
7
ry, and Prut river occupies 24% .
Besides the main rivers, the are 3500 small
Fig 1. Water reserves8
and medium reservoirs and ponds, with an
overall surface of more than 300 km2 9.

The hydrographic network occupies about 2.7% of the country’s territory and has a total
length of about 16 thousand km.

7 https://www.climatechangepost.com/moldova/fresh-water-resources/#:~:text=In%20the%20Re-
public%20of%20Moldova,of%20circa%2010.7%20km3, last seen 29.01.2021
8 http://apelemoldovei.gov.md/pageview.php?l=ro&idc=134&id=187, last seen 29.01.2021
9 https://www.climatechangepost.com/moldova/fresh-water-resources/, last seen 29.01.2021

13
The water of Dniester and Prut is relatively clean
to moderately polluted. At the same time, the
water of small rivers is medium to highly pollut-
ed. Around 44% of the population do not have
access to sources of safe drinking water 10. All
towns and around 65% of villages have a cen-
tralised drinking water supply and only 50% of
this system is in satisfactory conditions. There is
a need for repairs and reconstruction.
Ground water
The groundwater reserves are located in deep,
confined aquifers with a total debit of 1.3 km3,
of which 0.7 km3 are drinking water. There are
around 7 000 boreholes for water withdrawal.
The natural recharge capacity is limited and
the risk of overexploitation persists. In 2019
around 13% of the water came from ground
resources, and 87% from surface resources 11, of
which 90% come from the Dniester river.
At the same time, only 50% of the under-
ground water reserves comply with quality
standards.
From 1990, surface water use was reduced by
four times and ground water resources use was
reduced by more than two times. This was most-
ly caused by economic decline, particularly on
the industry side.

1.2 Use of water

For the past 20 years, the volume of used water remained the same. The share of different types of
consumption is presented in Figure 2.2 below.

12
Use of water

10 https://www.climatechangepost.com/moldova/fresh-water-resources/, last seen 29.01.2021

11 https://statbank.statistica.md/PxWeb/pxweb/ro/10%20Mediul%20inconjurator/10%20Medi-
ul%20inconjurator__MED020/MED020100.px/table/tableViewLayout1/?rxid=b2ff27d7-0b96-43c9-934b-
42e1a2a9a774, last seen 29.01.2021
12 http://mediu.gov.md/ro/content/c3-utilizarea-total%C4%83-apei-%C3%AEn-republica-moldo-
va-2000-2018, last seen 29.01.2021

14
As it can be seen from the picture, the water resources are mostly used for production activities.
It is not clear where exactly the water for production purposes is used, as it is not specified by the
statistics.
The main rivers can be used for irrigation purposes. Water from the inland rivers and lakes should be
used only after purification in order to exclude salinization and alkalization of the soils.

2. Stakeholder mapping
Ministry of Agriculture Regional Development
and Environment (MARDE) 13- is responsible for
the development of the laws in the area of the
water supply, sanitation and water protection.
Apele Moldovei 14 - administrative authority re-
sponsible for the implementation of the state
policies in the field of the water resources, water
supply and sanitation, irrigation;
Agenția de Mediu 15- administrative authority
responsible for the implementation of the state
policies in the field of environmental protection,
including water;
AMAC 16- NGO, association of the water supply
companies. Provides technical support for the
Municipal Water Supply companies;
LPA - Local Public Authorities, responsible for
the water and sanitation infrastructure develop-
ment;
GIZ 17- German development agency, provides
technical and financial support to local authori-
ties in the implementation of the water and sa-
nitation infrastructure;
ApaSan - Swiss development agency, provides
support for local public authorities in the field of
water supply.

13 https://www.madrm.gov.md/, last seen 29.01.2021

14 http://www.apelemoldovei.gov.md/index.php?l=ro, last seen 29.01.2021
15 http://mediu.gov.md/ro, last seen 29.01.2021
16 http://www.amac.md/, last seen 29.01.2021
17 https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/67751.html, last seen 29.01.2021

15
 Stakeholders

3. Today’s challenges and opportunities

3.1 Climate change

The main challenges related to climate change in the water sector are intensive droughts. In
2020, because of the lack of the snow during the winter of 2019 and lack of rains during 2020,
Moldova suffered an extremely heavy drought.

16
3.1.1 Water supply system
As it was already mentioned, the use of water for domestic purposes is around 15-
20%. Around 51% of the country’s villages still do not have access to the public water
system. The figure below shows the share of localities that have public water supply

Population’s access to water supply

As it can be seen from the figure, Chișinău
and Gagauzia have the highest share in
terms of connection to the water system,
while the north region has the lowest
share.
At the same time, around 82% of the
country’s population has access to the
water supply system. It is due to the fact
that the majority of the population lives
in cities and towns. For the past 4 years
around 14% of people were connected
to the water supply and the length of the
water networks increased by more than
10%.
The share of the water, distributed to con-
sumers that have installed water meters,
is 85%.

17
3.1.2 Sewage system

According to the public opinion 18, lack of access to sanitation is the second biggest
environmental problem in Moldova.
Only around 8% of localities (95% of cities and 5% of rural areas) - have some sewage
systems. However, only 40% of the population is connected to the sewage system. The
total length of the sewage network represented circa 2.9 thousand km, of which, de
facto, only circa 2.8 thousand km were operational (97.5 per cent).

Access to sewage system

71,4

15,6
7,6 7,3 5,4 4,7

Total Chișinău UTA Center South North

Găgăuzia

Only 23% of the population in Moldova has access to a sewage system: 2% of the
rural population and 50% of population in urban areas.
Nr. of functional and non-functional wastewater treatment facilities Only 14% of the
sewage pipes have sewage treatment facilities, from which, 85% are functioning.
The World Bank Sustainability Assessment for water and sewage system is presented
below and compared to the Danube region 19.

18 https://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/iri_moldova_may-june_2019_poll_final.pdf (p.13)
19 https://sos.danubis.org/eng/country-notes/moldova/, last seen 29.01.2021

18
 Sustainability Assessment

Sustainability assessment of water and sanitation

To update all the necessary infrastructure, €705 million
are needed over the next 15 years.

To update all the necessary infrastructure, €705 million are needed over the next 15
years 20.

20 https://sos.danubis.org/eng/country-notes/moldova/, last seen 29.01.2021

19
3.1.3 Irrigation
The share of water consumption for irrigation is around 10% from the total amount
of used water. Compared with 1980-1990, the share for irrigation was reduced by
more than 15 times 21, see the figure below:

Water consumption for irrigation, mln m3.

The overall potential for irrigation was estimated at 1.5 mln ha. Around 30% of this
potential (0.5 mln ha) is located in the Dniester river basin, 0.2 mln ha are located near
Costești reservoir, and another 0.2 mln are located in the south, using water from Ial-
pug and Cahul lakes (source same as below).
In 2013-2015, with the aim to give a push to performant agriculture, 6 irrigation systems
were rehabilitated to irrigate 0,06 mln ha of land (15 villages and 7000 landholders)22.
However, the use of irrigation is limited due to low water quality. As analysis showed23,
soils, irrigated for 10-15 years, are highly alkaline.

21 https://www.legis.md/cautare/getResults?doc_id=102659&lang=ro, last seen 29.01.2021

22 https://www.legis.md/cautare/getResults?doc_id=102659&lang=ro, last seen 29.01.2021
23 http://www.fao.org/3/w6240e/w6240e15.htm#:~:text=The%20irrigation%20potential%20has%20
been%20estimated%20at%201.5%20million%20ha.&text=About%2070%25%20of%20the%20coun-
try’s,crops%20comes%20from%20irrigated%20land, last seen 29.01.2021

20
3.2 Migration
The number of people leaving the country is constantly growing and 63% of those who
leave is working age population 24. Even if people do not leave the country, they are
most likely to move to the city.
This situation contributes to the fact that the population in villages and towns is de-
creasing. This situation puts additional pressure on the water supply system. The water
and sewage systems, in order to be feasible, need to have the population that pays to
maintain the system.

3.3 Threats
The agriculture sector is the most affected by Climate Change. 2020 registered one of
the most severe droughts Moldova has ever had. This situation will further exacerbate,
as the Fourth National Communication shows 25.
According to latest National Determined Contributions (NDC), water sector presents the
following Climate Change impacts and vulnerabilities 26:
-- water shortage increase for agriculture, particularly for irrigation purposes;
-- depletion of underground water resources due to increase of underground
waters extraction for irrigation;
-- water deficit increase due to high demand and limited availability in surface
and underground waters;
-- deepening of groundwater;
-- water quality degradation (mineralization, hardness etc.);
-- increased requirements of additional drinking water treatment;
-- limited availability of water for the population;
-- floods.

Low income of the population

Due to migration and low income of the population, there is a threat that investment
in water supply and sewage networks will not be feasible. People, having low levels
of income, are not able to pay for these services. Due to migration and continuously
decreasing population, the number of people who will be actually paying for these
services may be low. Therefore, the situation should be carefully evaluated.

24 http://bma.gov.md/sites/default/files/media/ra_pme_2014-2018_0.pdf, last seen 29.01.2021

25 http://www.clima.md/doc.php?l=en&id=4256&idc=81#:~:text=Fourth%20National%20
Communication%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Moldova%20has%20been,Climate%20
Change%E2%80%9D%20implemented%20by%20Ministry, last seen 29.01.202
26 https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Republic%20of%20Moldova%20
First/MD_Updated_NDC_final_version_EN.pdf (p.24)

21
 4. Good practices
Water supply and sewage
As one of Moldova’s main issues is access to
water and sewage systems, further develop-
ment of this infrastructure is needed.
The development of the regional water supply
systems in Cahul rayon can be considered a
good example. The aim of this project is to
connect all rayon towns and villages to the
main water supply system and bring water
from the
Prut river. This will help to improve the
water quality and reduce the cost for water
treatment, as, currently, the majority of the
population has access to underground waters,
which are heavily mineralised.
Below is included the map of regional water
supply systems. Currently, the project was fully
implemented only in one region (Hîncești).
Continuing the implementation of these

Map of regional water supply systems in Moldova 27

27 http://www.apelemoldovei.gov.md/pageview.php?l=ro&id=188&idc=135, last seen 29.01.2021

22
 Implementation of the water supply system brings the additional need of sewage systems con-
struction. This is an even more challenging and expensive activity, as it is more complicated to
centralize it, especially in rural areas.
However good projects can be developed: implementing alternative, low-cost solutions, for exam-
ple, wetlands. A wetland for 50 families was constructed in 2007 in the village Rusca (Hîncești) see
the figure below.
Wetland in Rusca 28

This might be the most cost-effective measure for the majority of villages. There are other mea-
sures, such as the set up of local septic systems:

Septic system 29

28 https://www.zdg.md/reporter-special/reportaje/zona-umeda-construita-la-rusca/, last seen 29.01.2021

29 https://indiana.clearchoicescleanwater.org/pledges/septic/septic-impacts/, last seen 29.01.2021

23
While the sewage system will be developing, there is a need to take temporary actions. One of them
can be introducing special sealing requirements for sinkholes. Below is included an example of a barrel
for sewage. Municipalities also should be encouraged/obliged to organize regular evacuation of the
sewage from sinkholes.

Special tank for sewage 30

Agriculture
Taking in consideration the increase in droughts and shortages in water supply, the agriculture
sector should adapt. One of the good practices that can be used, are the mini till and low till. These
technologies help to keep up to 60% of water in the ground.

30 https://kraft.dp.ua/uk/production/vigribni-yami, last seen 29.01.2021

24
 Mini-till (left) and low till (right) 31

The benefits of these methods are:

-- Increased permeability.
-- Reducing soil erosion.
-- Plant debris contributes to water conservation in the soil,
growth of soil fauna and flora.
-- Reduction of processing time by 2-4 times.
-- Reduction of fuel consumption by 30-50%.
The effects of different ways of soil treatment are presented below:

Water penetration in soil; tilling(right) vs no-till(left) 32

31 http://www.adapt.clima.md/public/files/Ghid__Agricultura_2015.pdf, last seen 29.01.2021

32 http://www.adapt.clima.md/public/files/Ghid__Agricultura_2015.pdf, last seen 29.01.2021

25
While the sewage system will be developing, there is a need to take temporary actions. One of them
can be introducing special sealing requirements for sinkholes. Below is included an example of a barrel
for sewage. Municipalities also should be encouraged/obliged to organize regular evacuation of the
sewage from sinkholes.

Rain water collection 33

Collected water can be used for irrigation, which may help to save up to 40% of water.

Rural drip Irrigation 34

By using the technologies mentioned, we will not only increase the productivity of the soil, but also
reduce the quantity of used water.

33 https://stroy-podskazka.ru/bochka/s-kranom-dlya-poliva/, last seen 29.01.2021

34 http://gangemithinkingdesign.blogspot.com/2010/09/interview-with-driptechs-peter-frykman.html, last seen
29.01.2021

26
4. Recommandations

For the Government of Moldova:

1. Capacity building: reorganisation of the Apele Moldovei is needed, with clear responsibilities
and better function of the governing structures;
2. Speeding up the adoption and putting into effect of all necessary regulations for water and
sanitation, specified in the Action Plan of the Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy (2014-
2030).
3. Approve and put into practice the National Strategy for Irrigation Development 2030.
4. Improve and increase the funding for water supply and sewage.

For the civil society:

1. Develop and implement communication/education activities for population on efficient wa-
ter use and sustainable agriculture, such as:
-- Develop and implement communication/education activities for population on efficient
water use and sustainable agriculture, such as:
-- rain water capturing;
-- drip irrigation;
-- no-till, low-till;
-- use of sealed sewage tanks and use of dry toilets;
2. Develop training and capacity building programmes for Local Public Authorities:
-- river protection;
-- practices to increase the forest area and forest belts.

35 https://www.legis.md/cautare/getResults?doc_id=122590&lang=ro#, last seen 29.01.2021

27
Chapter 3
Forest management in the
Republic of Moldova
1. Data and trends
History
According to official historical data, only two
centuries ago the current territory of the
Republic of Moldova, was covered with forests
in a proportion of over 30%. Thus, according
to archival materials and literary sources, the
surface of Moldova forests on the right bank
of Dniester river, at the beginning of the 19th
century, constituted over 600 thousand ha. The
destruction of forests in big proportions started
in the 15th-17th century, and continued in the
18th-19th century through deforestation and
expansion of agricultural land. In those times
oak wood was widely used for the construction
of ships and fortresses and bark was used for
the preparation of fertilizers. Findings indicate
that between 1848 and 1918 the forest area
decreased by 136 thousand ha. Deforestation
quickly caused intensification of erosion
processes, frequent droughts and the decrease
of river levels, etc. Until the establishment of
the first forest arrangement plan in 1861, the
best quality trees were cut down. A forest
arrangement plan is a complex technical-
economic and ecological based tool, used for
the continuous organization of forest production
and harvesting of its products, in order to meet
current and future local and general needs.
This plan must ensure the organization and
28
management of forests to their state of maximum
multifunctional efficiency, in accordance with
the multiple ecological and socio-economic
objectives of forestry, based on the concept of
functional zoning and promoting the systemic
concept in forest management. Later, the clear
cuts began to be practiced on narrow parquet
floors, which were usually left for the purpose
of natural vegetative regeneration (from bine),
which resulted in the transformation of seed
originated tree groups into bine originated tree
groups. The latter are distinguished by lower
growth rates and weak resistance to disturbance
factors.
The first attempts of afforestation were taken in
1825-1827, so in 1848 already the rate of for-
est coverage was about 366 thousand ha. Sub-
sequently, attempts were made to afforest in
open places, in the steppe, where there were
no forests before, or where the forest was de-
stroyed. At that moment, most of the Moldovan
forest came from bines (63.5%), being now at
different generations. This situation largely ex-
plains the current low productivity of the trees
and inappropriate placement of some trees in
different station conditions.
 Bessarabian Governorate Map (19017)

The smallest forest coverage of the country, only 222 thousand ha, was registered in 1945.
Since then, each year the forest cover area was growing with 20-30 thousand ha per year, un-
til 2010, when the official forest coverage constituted 374.6 thousand ha. Since that year, the
forest cover area has grown only to 379.5 thousand ha. According to official information,10.2%
of our country’s territory today is covered by forest.

29
 Forest coverage of the country by years
The numbers above refer to thousands of Ha of forest in Moldova for the particular year.

Forests and trees - basic description
During the forest management works, 65
species of trees were identified and de-
scribed. About 1140 species in total of vascu-
lar plants (representing more than 50% of all
plant species in Moldova) are present on the
land covered with forest vegetation.
Based on main species formation, our forest
consists from trees like: oaks – 44.1%, acacia –
33.1%, ash – 5.7%, hornbeam – 4.3%, willows
and poplars – 3.0%, linden – 1.5% and other
species – 8.3%. Based on species composition
mix, “Moldsilva” Forest Agency oversees 76
types of forests and almost 48% of them are
situated in the central forest plateau. In the
northern part of Moldova, the main forest
mix consists of pedunculate oak (Quercus ro-
bur) and wild cherry (Cerasus avium). In the
forests of the central area, the main tree is
beech (Fagus sylvatica) mixed with sessile
oak (Quercus petraea) and pedunculate oak
(Quercus robur). In the southern part of the
country, there are forest communities made
up of downy oak (Quercus pubescens) and
pedunculate oak.

30
 Moldavian Forestry Map

In the meadows of the Dniester and Prut river basins and in the upper course of small rivers
there are sectors with forest communities of meadow (poplar), white poplar (Populus alba)
and willow (Salix alba). Each species group has its own carbon sequestration rate:

31
 Carbon sequestration rate by each species group
Even though Carpinus absorbs more CO2, for
Moldova’s climax, the most precious species are
the oaks(Quercus). The most common oaks in
Moldavian forest are: quercus pubescens, petrea
and robur). Climax represents the final phase of an
ecological succession, characterized by a relative
stability of the biocenosis and its correspondence
with climate and soil. Meanwhile, the station
type represents the fundamental systematic
unit, which includes all the similar areas by
ecological variations, productive potential and
problems of use and management. It provides
trees and other organisms of the biocenosis,
the air and underground space for anchoring
the trees in the soil and supplying them with
water and nutrients, thus making possible the
life of biocenosis, the existence and productivity
of ecosystems.
In the process of forest management, 49 types
of stations were described, from which 42.6%
are of medium bonitet, 41.9% of lower bonitet
and 15.5% - of superior bonitet.
According to the forest province, type of station
and productivity, the tree groups are distributed
as follows
-- natural fundamental trees (of higher, middle
and lower productivity) that correspond to
the type of station, with minimal influence
and human intervention, considered as the
32
most productive and economically valuable
- 84073.2 ha (28.0%);
-- natural sub-productive fundamental trees,
which correspond to the fundamental
natural type in terms of specific composition,
but due to the regeneration of aged stumps
and low consistency, their productivity is
lower than the all station bonitet - 15713.0
ha (5.2%);
-- partially derived trees, that arise from the
natural fundamental types, by increasing
the proportion of one or more mixed and
/ or secondary species , but which through
management measures could be restored
with time to a situation of 21676,6 ha (7.2%);
-- total derivatives trees (of upper, middle,
lower productivity), which arose from
the fundamental natural type, but
because the proportion of mixed and /
or secondary species being excessively
high, the respective stands cannot be
returned to the fundamental natural type
through management measures (care and
management cuttings), 24975.3 ha (8.3%);
-- artificial tree group (coming from plantations,
of superior, medium, inferior productivity)
on 153816.5 ha (51.0%);
-- undefined young tree group - 958.0 ha or
0.3%.
The oldest tree groups are made of oak and
fluffy oak (average age of 79 years), as well as
pedunculate oak - 69 years old. The species with
lower average ages are: acacia - 18 years old,
field elm - 30 years old, various soft and exotic
ones - 33 years old, various softwoods - 34 years
old, willow - 36 years old and white poplar and
walnut - 38 years old. It is necessary to mention
the relatively high average age for such species
as white poplar and willow, which, as all soft
species have a maximum production cycle of
up to 40 years, thus, the average normal age
would be in the range of 20-25 years.
Forest management
According to the national law frame, rivers
and lakes are located in the water fund, or
living houses in the housing fund, the most of
Moldovan forests are located in the National
Forest Fund. The coverage of the Fund is 422.8
thousand ha, and only 379.5 thousand ha are
covered with forests. The rest of the area is
occupied by roads, water bodies, buildings,
swamps, agricultural fields and other functions.
However, there is forest vegetation outside
the Forest Fund, covering 50.8 thousand ha.
From those, 30.7 thousand ha are covered with
protective forest curtains and 20.1 thousand ha
are covered with shrub vegetation.
Moldsilva, the central administrative authority
in forestry, manages the forests under its
control, according to the the forest management
plan, established by the Institute of Forest
Research and Management (ICAS -“ Institutul
de cercetări și Amenajări Silvice”). For the last
28 years, forest management work has been
done according to the Romanian system, based
on European standards, completed with local
normative basis and experience. In addition to
this work, from 2006, the forest arrangement
planning included a part of the forests managed
33
by the local public authorities (24000 ha in 181
town halls). That work was expected to improve
the management in the public forestry sector,
managed by the local public authorities. But big
changes were not observed.
All Moldova’s forests are categorized in different
subgroups based on the first functional group
for the environmental protection :
-- For land protection – 7,9%
-- For water protection – 1.6%
-- For climate/industrial (!) factors protection –
47.4%
-- For recreation – 26.4%
-- Scientific interest forest – 16.7%
Currently the forest is managed by the Silvic
code, which was adopted in 1996. From 2018
a working group started to design a new forest
code and on 22.12.20 the Government adopted
the law project. The old code already was in
contradiction with a lot of laws adopted after
1996. Beside that, new international laws from
conventions and association agreement with EU,
severe climate changes, new stakeholders and
other factors, pushed the forest administration
to elaborate a new silvic code. At the same
time, our neighboring countries Romania
and Ukraine, updated their silvic code two or
three times. The new forest code contains
international approaches and regulations,
reevaluated fines and clarifications on the forest
usage. Notions like National Ecological Network
and Ecosystem Services, will be mentioned
and regulated in the new code, as well. In
accordance with the last study done by the
Ministry of Regional Development, Agriculture
and Environment, there are more than 130
thousand ha which can’t be used for agricultural
activity any more. Thus, the forest extension
is planned to be done through the creation of
Agroforestry and Silvopastoral systems for Local
 Forest productivity and regeneration
Forest regeneration is strongly connected to
wood products, which are one of the productive
ecosystem services that we receive from the
forest. Without forest regeneration works,
not only the productivity drops, but the most
important function of protection loses its
maximum capacities. Wood harvesting from the
forests of Moldova is carried out in the process
of cleaning, thinning, hygienic, regeneration,
conservation, and ecological reconstruction
cutting. The respective works are carried out in
accordance with the forest management plan
and the wood volume allocated for harvesting
is approved annually by the Environment
Agency, according to the current legislation.
The average growth of wood mass in Moldova`s
forests is about 3,9 m3/year/ha and now it is
around 39.652.777 m3 (132 m3/ha) of wood
mass in total. The most productive are the
species of sessile oak, white poplar, maple,
ash and the least productive are the species
of walnut, acacia, field elm, softwood, various
exotic species - a fact demonstrated by the
average production class. At the same time,
the forests with scientific interest status, the
forest protection fund and the forest eco-fund
are the most productive, the superior and
middle productivity being registered at 61.2%
Forest health
The anomalous arid climatic conditions, which appeared during the last years, have had a negative
effect on the health of the forests. The analysis of the recent climatic changes, shows that the dry
periods become more extensive and intensive. Thus, the registered droughts in 2011, 2012, 2015,
2019, 2020 were classified as strongest in intensity, based on the affected territory size and the
damage caused.
34
of the respective functional subgroup. The least
productive are the forests planted for anti-
erosional purposes which have the land and soil
protection functions. Official numbers show that
during 2010-2020, treatment and management
cuttings were applied on the 259.095 ha of the
forest fund managed by the Agency “Moldsilva”,
with the total harvested volume of wood in the
amount of 6.080 thousand m3.
From those management cuttings, regeneration
works were carried out on 49.8 thousand
ha of the forest and forest extension works -
on 2.8 thousand ha. From the total area of
regenerations works, forest planting was carried
out on 12.5 thousand ha, assisting works for
natural regeneration - on 32.8 thousand ha and
the natural regeneration was achieved on the
surface of 4.5 thousand ha. The activity of forest
regeneration and extension was more intense
during 2012-2016, achieving 4900 to 5600 ha
per year. The big rate of important assisting
works for natural regeneration support is due to
the fact that during the reference period, main
product cuttings were carried out primarily in
acacia tree groups, which usually have a big
rate of regeneration. Meanwhile, in 2018-2019,
during a project realised by ICAS, around 3000
ha of new unregistered forest were discovered.
These droughts have produced changes in the The negative effect of droughts
soil’s hydrological regime by reducing the levels
of groundwater, thus worsening the conditions
for growth and development of the main spe-
cies of trees and shrubs. The droughts caused
significant weakening of the forest ecosystems,
which is evidenced by reduction of the trees’
biological resistance to the action of negative
factors. This led to tree degradation, intensifi-
cation of drying processes on large areas and
creation of conditions for mass spread of phy-
tophagous and xylophagous pests. The area of
defoliating pest outbreaks was 83.81 thousand
ha in autumn, 2019, according to the results of a
detailed silvo-pathological research. Compared
to the end of 2018 (101.3 ha), there is a de-
crease in the area of defoliating pest outbreaks
by 17.2%. In the spring of 2020, up to 1.820
ha of forest were subjected to air pest control

Biodiversity and conservation
Moldovan forests are populated by 172 species
of terrestrial vertebrates and numerous inverte-
brates (whose diversity is still little researched).
The greatest faunal diversity is found in the eco-
systems of the Central Forests, favored by the
compact forested surfaces, serving as habitats
and shelter. The ecological capacity of forest
ecosystems to maintain a larger number of ani-
mals is diminished by actions like: cutting down
scurvy trees (which are nesting places for many
species of insectivorous birds and breeding pla-
ces for more than 10 species of bats), overgra-
zing of domestic animals, planting of monocul-
tures (acacia) etc.. Sometimes, forest care work
is done during the months of arrival and bree-
ding of birds. Dry trees that serve as shelter for
wild animals are extracted, reducing the basic
food for bird species.
The conservation of forest biodiversity is ensured
by signing of more thematic conventions and by
the existence of the state protected natural areas
fund (based on the Law 1538-XIII/1998) which
includes 189.400 ha or 5.61% of the country’s
territory. Within the limits of the forest fund,
the protected areas occupy 93.500 ha, or about
21% of the total state forest fund. A step in the
process towards expanding protected areas,
was established by normative acts (2013-2014)
of the first national park in the country - “Orhei”
National Park. Unfortunately, until today it has
no administration, tourism infrastructure nor
management plan. The fact that all protected
natural areas are governed without a clear
management plan by Moldsilva (even though
the forest occupies only 93.5 thousands ha out of
189.4 thousands ha of all protected natural areas)
shows that protected natural areas management
is non-productive, untransparent and deficient
in terms of preservation and conservation. As
an example, the official numbers show that
the surface of natural protected areas did not
extend at all in the last decade.

35
 2. Stakeholder mapping The agency is empowered to ensure the
implementation of state policy in the field of
In accordance with Law, the Agency “Moldsilva”
forestry and hunting, in order to achieve their
is the administrative authority subordinated
sustainable development, ensure the protection
to the central environmental body of the
of forests and fauna, as well as maintain and
public administration (in 2021 it is the Ministry
conserve the biodiversity of the Republic of
of Regional Development, Agriculture and
Moldova. According to official numbers provided
Environment). From 1991, Moldsilva became
by the current director, around 1500 persons
financially self-sustaining, which mainly caused
are involved in the forest protection activities.
untransparent overusing of forest timber and
However, they don’t have a legitimate right to
hunting resources. From 2001 the Institute
detect and document forest contraventions and
of Forest Research and Management (ICAS
more so, to have and use fire guns. Their main
- Institutul de cercetări și Amenajări Silvice)
objective is to manage the forest, based on
was established. Thus, ICAS is the successor
ecological priorities, according to the Forest and
of other structures, which, at certain stages,
Hunting Fund management principles. According
were responsible for research and design in the
to the last financial declaration available on
forestry field. Currently, because the Institute
their website Moldsilva declares revenues in
accumulated the necessary practice and human
2018 - 410332664 MDL and 421320742 MDL
potential, it is the plenipotentiary structure in
for 2019. In 2018 - they spent 390845697 MDL
the field of forest management, detection and
and for 2019 Moldsilva declared spendings of
control of forest diseases and pests, as well as
40503267 MDL. In 2018 their total profit was
scientific forest research and design. ICAS is
14077916 and for 2019 their declared profit was
subordinated to the “Moldsilva” Agency. Beside
11543414 MDL. In the same period of time 48
the Institute, Moldsilva manages 19 forest
868 431 MDL was declared as the price of the
and forest-hunting enterprises, 4 scientific
timber products harvested in 2018 and 54 671
reservations, 51 forestry reservations, 9 medical
038 MDL for timber harvested in 2019.
plants reservations and 3 mixed reservations.
The World Bank became Moldsilva’s important financial partner in the last decades, paying for car-
bon offset and financing a number of grants.
From all the forests of Moldova, 85.9% is managed by Moldsilva and 13.5% are owned by Local Pub-
lic Administration territorial units. There is a big difference between Moldsilva and the Local Public
Administration in terms of forest management process and results.

This difference is caused by the lack of professional human resources employed by local public
administrations, as well as the lack of maintenance and timely treatment, which is decreasing the
quality and the function ability of the forests owned by Local Public Authorities. Here we need to
mention the UCIP-IFAD (International Fond of Agriculture Development), which in the last years
provided grants to Local Public Administrations (with 10% co-financing) for the establishment of
protective food-forest curtains for up to $ 3,000 per ha as well as for rehabilitation of the forest
curtains, up to US $ 1,200 per ha. The maximum area planted or rehabilitated was 10 ha per year
for both town halls and for private sector players.

37
Besides them, there are civil society projects with planting components, which are being financed
by Austrian Development Agency, Swiss Cooperation in Moldova, Swedish Embassy, USAID and
other international donors. Civil society plays a significant role for awareness building around the
benefits of afforestation of degraded lands and river banks, but not yet in the achievement of the
main goal - to afforestate a significant territory, which can grow the percentage of Moldova’s forest
covered land. Some NGOs have more experience and results in this field, other NGOs keep trying
and some NGOs cooperate with each other. The approaches vary but certainly each initiative tries
to involve volunteers and local communities. Some initiatives benefit from crowdfunding, others try
to fund their work from sales of some products.
At the same time, the private sector owns only 2.6 thousand ha (0.6%) and is limited in initiation
of new forest plantations because
of the legal framework that prioritizes the agricultural management of the land. Only in case the
soil bonitet drops to 30%, the land owner can change the planned use of the land, transforming it
into a forest plantation. That could be a reason why there are only few forest owners and growers
in Moldova at the moment. However, the majority of big land users don’t even plan to plant forest
curtains. Usually they plow the land up to the field road or the water surface, even though this
practice is illegal and the forest curtains would help them to harvest more.
Villagers which heat their houses with wood, pay around 700 MDL (around 33 €) for m3 of wood.
Even though more and more villages are connected to gas, people prefer wood for heating. Illegal
loggers, who, in 2020, officially have stolen from the forests managed by Moldsilva around 3.000
m3 are a major problem in Moldova. Unofficial estimations of these numbers are a few times
higher.

Forest threats and challenges -- changes in the rate of regeneration,

-- changes in the tree groups’ ability to
Because of major climate changes manifested
adapt,
through lack of precipitation and high
-- changes the density of trees and forests
temperatures, forest tree groups are being
in the area.
exposed to massive drying in addition to losing
Those changes will reduce the quality of habitats
biological resistance to pests and diseases.
for flora and fauna species, will decrease the
A part of the problem was caused by Soviet
timber quality and production volume, will
Union when seedlings from Ukraine, Belarus
increase the forest fires and biodiversity losses.
and Kazakhstan were used here because of
According to estimated assessments, aridization,
insufficient seedling material necessary for
reduction of precipitation, intensification
afforestation. Now, when these trees reach
of droughts, etc., will contribute to a more
their mature age, it is clear that they are not
disastrous ecological situation with negative
optimal for this climate and station conditions.
effects on the population and economy, in
Also over 40% of all the trees do not correspond
the absence of appropriate actions to mitigate
to their station conditions type and almost 1/3
their influence. The underdeveloped economy
of all trees are species which were artificially
in line with central, regional and local public
introduced in the local genetical fund. From that
and institutional administration of the Republic
we can observe the climate changes leading to
of Moldova, shows limited capacities and
these main threats:
insufficient resources to counter natural risks.
-- changes in the species composition, Thus in the numerous laws and conventions,
-- increase in the premature mortality of the state should prioritize and streamline the
trees and seeds, use of financial sources and human resources
-- changes in species concurrency, for risk mitigation.

38
 Concerning forecasted vulnerabilities 36

In order to approach the problems of over-exploitation, one can refer to the studies conducted in
the process of developing the National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity, which have made
estimates of the monetary value of forest ecosystems. The studies were based on the comparison
of two scenarios:
(a) “Business as Usual” (BAU), which represents the continuation of current practices - further har-
vesting of timber to feed timber consumption at the current level with high incidence, illegal log-
ging and underuse of the non-wood forest products, while forest ecosystems are susceptible to
degradation and a decrease in their ability to provide their ecological functions.
(b) “Sustainable Ecosystem Management”, (SEM) represents a forest management system with less
orientation on timber production and more exploitation of non-wood forest products at a higher
sustainable level over time. As a result of institutional, legal and technical improvements, illegal
logging is significantly reduced. However, this is not entirely possible if there are no alternative
sources of energy for the rural population, for example short production cycle plantations, energy
plantations, or increasing afforestation areas.

36 EURO-CORDEX (Jacob et al.,2014), EEA, 2016

39
Based on the mentioned research, the value of forest ecosystem services is estimated at 23,5 million
€ per year. Under the BAU scenario, the forestry sector could add to the economy about 0,5 million €
over the next 25 years. However, these revenues will disappear after 27 years, due to degradation
of ecosystems capacity to generate wood and non-wood forest products. This estimation does not
consider losses from other forest ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, soil erosion and
water regularization, as well as the landscape potential and tourism.
SEM scenario implies a decrease of timber and non-wood forest products values ​​in the short term,
but will lead to a significant change in reducing illegal logging, as well as an increase of protected
forest areas with the importance of biodiversity conservation. However, in the SEM scenario, in the
long run, the forest ecosystem services value will recover and thus generate a higher net present
value beyond the horizon of 25 years.
The actual volume of wood used by households was assessed based on studies conducted within
the project financed by the World Bank in the period 2010-2011. The comparative analysis of the
estimated consumption of firewood and logs identified a much larger consumption volume compared
to the volume of harvested timber, as well as differences of these volumes by territory. Especially
large discrepancies are observed in the southern districts of the country. Thus, the estimated
consumption of wood in households exceeds the cuttings by over 415 thousand m3 (approx. 67%
from the volume of all types of cuttings), which proves their illegal / unknown origin.

3. Socio economic challenges forest used for recreational purposes, Moldsilva

and opportunities
Forest ecosystems provide important services,
including the supply of wood and non-wood
products. In 2011 those services were estimated
at about 23,5 million €, annually. Over 30 species
of woody plants represent an important source
of livelihood for the rural population. Currently,
the forestry sector, especially within the local
public administration authorities, is affected by
a set of problems like: illegal logging and low
interest to use the non-wood forest products
(medicinal flowers and herbs, mushrooms,
berries, etc.).
To increase their financing, in 2008, Moldsilva
launched a law that allows everybody to rent
forest pieces for hunting and recreational
activities, at a cheap price. For a hectare of
received 4.025 MDL (about 200 €), while
for hunting purposes, the rent of a hectare
cost 315 MDL (about 15 €). Due to the lack of
transparency, a big mess started to happen. A lot
of politicians and state functioners immediately
started to rent the forest. In 2012, Moldsilva had
already 842 contracts. People who have rented
the forest sectors for recreation, were not
allowed to build buildings with foundation in
the forest. However, they started to sell the land
for construction and construct buildings in the
forest (with all the premises from other state
agencies). After 2016 Moldsilva raised the tax
for recreational purposes up to 19.000 MDL per
ha (1.000 €), the majority of tenants refused to
change their contract, and a debt of over 15 mln
MDL resulted from that. After a number of court
hearings, 2,3 mln MDL were recovered and only
376 contracts remained.

40
Being responsible for good functionality of in-
ternal and surrounding ecosystems, for local
and regional microclimates, forests are strong-
ly related to the agriculture sector, which is the
most exposed and vulnerable to natural risks
and climate change in the national economy
sector. The main factor determining the size,
quality and stability of agricultural production in
the Republic of Moldova are the agro-climatic
conditions of the territory, especially the lack of
moisture, largely conditioned by lack of forest
protection strips between the fields. Ploughing
the soil without respecting the work schedules,
reaching the water corps and the field roads,
with the purpose to increase the chances for
larger amounts of crops, actually causes soil
erosion and landslides, which now represent a
serious threat for Moldova. The same problem
is amplified by the pastures, with about 30% of
them in a serious state of degradation and 65%
being severely degraded with the possibility of
rehabilitation. Only 5% of the pastures corre-
spond to their norms and can serve according to
their functions.
Because of all those phenomena together, in re-
cent years, the area of landslides increased an-
nually by 1.000 ha. The volume of soil excluded
from the agricultural circuit is 10-15 mln. m3.
The damage caused to the national economy
is 83 mln MDL (4 Mio. €) per year. Meanwhile,
in 2021, the Agency of Interventions and Pay-
ments in Agriculture (AIPA) is ready to subsidize
the local land users with another 1.1 billion MDL,
to continue further these practices.
The opportunities of sustainable land and forest
usage are clearly and largely described in the
legal frameworks, conventions and internal
regulations, but due to the high poverty
rate and low administrative capacity, those
opportunities are not used. Usually people want
to profit quickly from their investment and do
41
not take into account the damage they cause
to the environment. Fortunately there are
some projects being implemented by ICAS and
Molsilva, like „Climate change adaptation of R. of
Moldova” (2nd compound - Forest and pasture
management for climate change adaptation).
The project is financed by The World Bank and
it is being implemented from 2018 to 2023,
with the main aim to support climate change
adaptation through intelligent agriculture,
forestry and pasture management practices.
If communities, local, regional and central
public administrations, state agencies and their
departments would take into consideration those
national laws, regulations and international
recommendations on sustainable land and
forest usage, in order to make right decisions,
we could use our opportunities and increase
the quality of natural resource management. If
Forest non-wood products would be considered
more, the interest of illegal logging would drop
and in the end the harvested wood would come
from sustainable cutting treatments.
Today, if we take into consideration that Moldsil-
va is self-financing and that the volume of har-
vested non-wood forest products in the last
years didn’t show clearly a potential for rev-
enue, we can understand why there is a big
number of legal and illegal logging happening
in Moldova`s forests. If local public authorities
(LPA) would be interested to participate in pro-
tections of rivers through afforestation of the
security zone around, the moisture level would
be more favorable for pasturing and gardening.
If LPAs and farmers would be interested in reha-
bilitation and plantation of the forest protection
stripes, it could bring positive impact for soil
preservation and would raise the harvest level.
The problem is the lack of vision and political
will, plus law enforcement.
 4. Good practices and
recommendations
Over 70 forest related national strategies
and conventions were established by
Moldova’s government over the last 30 years.
Nevertheless Moldova is at the stage of
beginning the implementation of all national
and international legal frameworks, agreements
and recommendations of forest management.
The management approach of national forest
administrations is based on productivity and
profit. Changing that approach in order to
increase the ecological functions of the forest,
would bring long term benefits to all. To make
that possible, besides all the good actions
happening connected to trees and forests,
foresters and people should be more careful
when they plant exotic, introduced, unadapted
species in or around forests. Foresters should
promote natural regeneration and extension
with local valuable, adapted species; correlating
the seed basis with the needs of artificial
and natural regeneration. Also, from central
administration to local forestry canton, there is
a need for a risk mapping and risk integration
in management plans. Adopting risk elimination
solutions by maximizing reliability at every stage
of tree creation, management and regeneration,
would improve the quality of climate change
mitigation function delivered by forests.
In the context of severe negative changes,
observed already in forests, adaptation solutions
for the near future could be:
-- Intensifying the dialogue with forest
managers, in order to find out more
details on actual problems of practical
forestry;
42
-- Raising awareness of decision-makers on
climate change and possible adaptation
solutions;
-- Creation of a (national) center of expertise
and an experimental database (national
program for regeneration and extension
of Forest Fund );
-- Updating the seeds bankused in the
regeneration works;
-- Funding specific experimental research
projects;
-- Closer and more transparent cooperation
with LPAs and NGOs.
--
These measures can bring the forest sector to
a more inclusive level and more sustainable
development.
Also it is recommended to adjust the system
of protected areas to the requirements of
representativeness of the entire variable
spectrum of forest ecosystems.
Management of the secular forests should be
made by the principles of the Pan European
Strategy of biological and landscape diversity
preservation. Also, to consolidate the eco
protective and bioproductive potential, which
is still present in Moldova, there is a need to
implement the established ecological network,
which will unite safer and special interest forests,
which will conserve and restore representative
forest ecosystems, as well.
All those recommendations are mentioned
in different national and international legal
frameworks and scientific studies. Due to the
lack of funding, political will and administrative
consequences, those recommendations are not
being seriously considered for application.
Conclusion

All three chapters show their interconnections and similar challenges. The infrastructure for dif-
ferent branches of the national economy was built for different times. Priorities have shifted and
will shift even more. Climate change is a present fact. Adaptation is needed. Energy will get more
expensive and scarce, forests will have to be protected and water might become Moldova’s bottle
neck . 1 for socio-economic development. The development of rural areas will depend on water
and energy management systems.
With better insulated houses we would need less biomass. This would take the pressure away
from the forests and more forests would improve Moldova’s quantity and quality of water. Biomass
usage for energy supply can and should play an important positive role for Moldova. Therefore,
forests have to be managed in a sustainable manner and energy has to be used efficiently. The
three chapters give recommendations and good practice examples.
By the mentioned non-updated infrastructure a social infrastructure is included. The forest chapter
showed Moldsilva as a case of non-transparent power structures. The interdependency between
our given three topics with the agricultural sector is obvious. During the 2020 drought water was
given for free to farmers by political leaders because alternatives, knowledge and methods on
how to disseminate knowledge or give incentives to explore modern methods were not accessible.
Apart from technical questions the bigger question is here: How do we learn as societies? Will we
be fast enough to create hubs of good practices that can spread? How do we keep motivation,
hope and a positive spirit in times that get rougher? In February 2021 the momentum seems to be
good for a trend reversal: the droughts over the last years should have convinced the last climate
change deniers. On a national level 2020/2021 could become a political upheaval starting with the
presidential election results in November 2020. Internationally, there are impulses from the Green
Deal (EU) and Green Climate Finance measures (UN).

The ongoing pandemic is a threat to the focus on climate changes which need to be tackled. At the
same time it is a chance to question national structures and rethink the role of a government. The
basis for all policies will be societal awareness and knowledge. Here, Moldova seems to be behind
other countries. A latest UNDP study “The Peoples’ Climate Vote” from January 2021 puts Moldova
in the last place of the 50 researched countries for climate change awareness. Only 50% of Mol-
dovans state that climate changes are a real existing threat. It seems there is a long way ahead
for state institutions, civil society organisations and media to win the necessary societal backing
for climate change policies. We hope that by this study we could contribute to fruitful dialogues.

43
Interested in more? There are already existing communities of
practice we can recommend, that contribute to knowledge hubs:

EcoVisio: www.ecovisio.org
National Energy Council: https://cne.md/
Renasterea Rurala: http://renasterearurala.vox.md/
Seed it forward: www.seeditforward.org
Parcurile Viitorului: www.parcurileviitorului.md

Chisinau, February 2021

Author paper
Strengthening Climate Change Resilience in Rural Moldova
Intervention Strategies on Sustainable Biomass Use, Forest an Water Management
Commissioned by Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin, Germany, www.boell.de
Contact: Robert Sperfeld, East and South East Europe Division E: sperfeld@boell.de

Authors: Evgheni Camenșcic, Petru Vinari, Julian Gröger, Constantin Borosan

Layout: Sorin Opincă

Preliminary version for Review

Release date: March 2021
Licence: Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the
views of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung.