The New Collective Quantified Goal must address the needs of developing countries to accelerate climate action and achieve global climate neutrality by 2050, said Sergiu Lazarencu, Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Moldova, in an exclusive interview with AZERTAC .

- What do you think Baku's hosting of COP29 will bring to the table?

The main expectation for COP29, held this November in Baku, is to strengthen efforts to mobilize financial resources and establish a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance with a baseline of $100 billion per year. This goal should support the needs of developing countries to advance climate action and reach global climate neutrality by 2050.

- What should be the countries’ climate priorities? In this context, what are Moldova's main objectives?

The Republic of Moldova drafted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2015, which was updated in 2020 to set more ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, increasing from a 64-67% unconditional target. The reduction commitment could potentially rise from 78% to 88% below 1990 levels by 2030 for the conditional target, surpassing the goal in its first NDC. Currently, pressure is mounting for countries to adopt more ambitious targets aligned with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. Moldova, in partnership with the NDC Partnership, GIZ (office in Bonn), GIZ Moldova, and UNDP, is working on revising its updated NDC to set more ambitious targets by February 2025.

It is also crucial to support countries in implementing financial instruments to accelerate the transition to clean energy, adaptation, resilience, global carbon markets, and mechanisms to address loss and damage financing, including frameworks that favor renewable energy sources. Developing national energy and local climate plans, including analytical and energy modeling, is another priority. Private sector involvement should play a more significant role in achieving climate targets.

- Is a global green transformation possible? What challenges stand in the way?

A successful global green transition depends on well-defined climate policies, strategies, national action plans, and effective greenhouse gas emissions modeling. Supporting countries in adopting green technologies, promoting sustainable industry and transport practices, and reducing pollution is essential.

- Will developing countries be able to access a new level of climate finance at COP29?

One of Moldova's key expectations for COP29 is to strengthen international collaborative relationships, create partnerships with other countries (developed and developing) to address shared climate challenges, and secure development partners to support climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. These partnerships are essential to transitioning to resilient, low-emission economies and achieving global climate neutrality by 2050. The world is at a critical juncture for climate science, and COP29 will test the political will for concrete action on mitigation, adaptation, finance, and equity. The outcomes will hinge on the ability of negotiators to balance the interests of diverse stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and vulnerable communities.

 
Emil Huseynli
Special correspondent