PRESS RELEASE // Analysis Published: "Climate Change and Social Inequalities in the Republic of Moldova: A Climate Justice Perspective"

 

How does climate change affect social inequalities in the Republic of Moldova? An analysis from a climate justice perspective

27 July 2026, Chișinău – Climate change should be understood not only as a series of environmental phenomena but also through its impact on people and social equity. This is the perspective promoted by the concept of climate justice, which is at the heart of the analysis "Climate Change and Social Inequalities in the Republic of Moldova: A Climate Justice Perspective" (RO: „Schimbările climatice și inegalitățile sociale în Republica Moldova: o perspectivă de justiție climatică”), authored by journalist and public policy analyst Eleonora Lisnic with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Moldova.

The publication aims to facilitate the understanding and application of the climate justice concept in the Republic of Moldova and to contribute to integrating social equity into climate adaptation policies.

According to the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Moldova, "climate change is not only an environmental challenge but also a social one. The concept of climate justice highlights that the individuals and communities with the fewest resources to adapt are often those most exposed to the impacts of the climate crisis." Through this publication, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Moldova seeks "to contribute to a better understanding of the social impacts of climate change and to encourage dialogue on developing climate policies that are more resilient, more inclusive, and better aligned with the social realities of the Republic of Moldova."

The analysis shows that the impacts of climate change are not experienced equally across the population. Those most affected are individuals and communities with the fewest resources to adapt. The vulnerable groups identified include low-income households, people affected by energy poverty, rural residents, farmers dependent on agriculture, older persons, rural women, children, persons with disabilities, personal social assistants, and communities with limited access to water, infrastructure, and public services.

Building on these realities, the publication examines how public policies can contribute to more equitable climate adaptation. It addresses areas such as public health, social protection, energy efficiency, energy poverty, access to water supply and sanitation, agriculture, local development, infrastructure, and public transport.

The analysis proposes a number of policy directions aimed at strengthening climate resilience and reducing social inequalities. These include developing cities that are better adapted to heatwaves, mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving conditions in public transport and for commuters during periods of extreme heat, modernising hospitals and other public institutions with smart ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and strengthening support mechanisms for vulnerable households, including the EcoVoucher programme.

The author of the analysis, Eleonora Lisnic, emphasises that the social dimension should become an integral part of climate policy:

"Climate change does not affect everyone in the same way. That is why, when we talk about climate adaptation, we must also talk about people—especially those who have the fewest resources to protect themselves and who often bear the greatest consequences. Strengthening climate policies in the Republic of Moldova requires an approach that brings together environmental, social, and economic objectives. Without social equity, climate action risks being less effective and more difficult for society to embrace. At the same time, recent developments in European and international case law show that protection against the impacts of climate change is increasingly being viewed through the lens of fundamental human rights. I hope this analysis will introduce the concept of climate justice into the public debate in the Republic of Moldova and encourage public policies that protect not only the environment but also the people who are most vulnerable."

The analysis provides a starting point for the further development and integration of the climate justice concept into public debate and the climate policymaking process in the Republic of Moldova. It also offers a framework for reflection for public authorities, civil society organisations, academia, the media, and everyone interested in building climate policies that are both fairer and more effective.

The full analysis is available at: https://collections.fes.de/publikationen/content/titleinfo/1989564

The analysis was written in Romanian.

Author: Eleonora Lisnic