In the context of global climate change, the transition to green economy and energy efficiency are becoming top priorities for the Republic of Moldova as well. In an interview with IPN, Denmark’s Ambassador to Moldova Søren Jensen stressed the importance of involving the citizens and the Government in this process.

According to the Danish diplomat, a key factor for the success of the green transition is public awareness. In Denmark, the green transition was driven by society, not politicians, and the same is needed in Moldova. “The changes in climate will produce more and more violent and weird, as we say, weather phenomena. And this will affect people everywhere. So, I think if people need to understand that this is going to affect them, if they don't act, that's the first thing. In Denmark, we for many years had a movement which came from the people. It wasn't the politicians who set the pace in the green transition,” said Søren Jensen.

The ambassador stressed that Moldova is already making some progress, including by increasing energy efficiency and developing renewable energy. A recent example is the opening of a solar park in Boldurești, financed by a Danish investor, which will provide sustainable energy for thousands of households. Moldova also has considerable potential for wind and solar energy and can cooperate regionally with Romania and Ukraine.

The diplomat noted that while investments in green technologies are crucial, education and public awareness of the benefits of these processes are equally important. “If we can negotiate together as a group, as the European Union, with maybe 30, 40 countries one day, we can have a lot more impact. We can help make changes in the global emissions in the United States, in China, in India, in other countries and in our own countries. We cannot do this on our own. We need to work together. And this is another advantage of being part of the European Union that we actually have influence. Small countries like Denmark, like Moldova, has influence because we sit at the table where the decisions are made,” said Søren Jensen.