Photo credit: Leilani/Adobe Stock
In January 2026, Moldova’s Law on Climate Action entered into force, enabling a legal framework for carbon pricing and mandating a monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system that aligns with European Union (EU) standards. The Law also establishes a National Climate Change Committee to monitor the country’s progress and coordinate action on policy implementation.
For an economy dependent on energy imports – and one that emits greenhouse gases at six times the EU average – the Law’s enactment is timely and consequential. It forms part of a broader effort to pursue resilient and inclusive growth, thus modernizing the economy while creating better-quality jobs. By introducing carbon pricing, alongside broader policy reforms, Moldova is laying the foundation for smarter, more resilient development.
The Partnership for Market Implementation (PMI) has supported Moldova with the important first steps toward implementing carbon pricing, working with government agencies to assess carbon pricing options and their potential socio-economic impacts, as well as the country’s exposure to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). In addition, PMI worked with Moldova to develop a carbon pricing roadmap that lays out a clear path for implementing a domestic carbon price.
“The PMI-supported program provided Just-in-Time strategic and technical assistance to the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova in advancing its decarbonization agenda, aligned with EU climate acquis and Energy Community obligations. This included strengthening understanding of the readiness for the MRV system, the design of a national carbon pricing framework, ensuring coherence with the EU Emissions Trading System principles, and developing potential complementary policies including for mitigating the impact on households and businesses,” said Aliona Rusnac, State Secretary in Moldova’s Ministry of the Environment.
“Furthermore, PMI support played a key role in supporting Moldova’s preparedness for the CBAM, by assisting industries in understanding reporting obligations and compliance pathways. This support is essential to mitigate trade risks, maintain competitiveness of Moldovan exports, and ensure a smooth integration into the EU’s carbon pricing ecosystem. We are looking forward to receiving the follow-up PMI-funded implementation support,” Rusnac added.
The planned PMI Implementation Support Grant will focus on several activities. They include the development of legal and policy architecture for a carbon tax, preparation of a revenue use and social protection framework, and the establishment of an installation-level MRV system.
PMI will also support the development of a structured engagement plan aligned with legislative and implementation milestones. That plan includes hands-on technical assistance and training activities for the government and other relevant stakeholders, to bolster the country’s readiness for its carbon pricing journey.
To learn more about PMI’s engagement in Moldova, visit the Moldova program page.
