This petition is an urgent civic appeal for the recognition of the state of climate emergency in Romania and for the assumption of a national strategy that responds proportionately to the current existential risks. There is no more time for declarations. It is time for action. We are already in the midst of a climate crisis. Recent events this year – the Praid disaster, the frost and hail that destroyed orchards, the devastating floods, the prolonged heat wave and the severe drought – have demonstrated beyond any doubt that the climate damage suffered by the state budget, companies, farmers and households is increasing. Romania no longer has the budgetary and logistical capacity to cover losses of such magnitude, and this trend will continue and accelerate if we do not act immediately.
What we are asking the CSAT, the Parliament and the Government of Romania:
- Official recognition of the state of climate emergency Official declaration that Romania is facing a climate emergency, which affects national security, the economy and public health. Integration of this reality in the National Defense Strategy, the National Disaster Response Plan and all strategic government documents.
- Creation of a National Interdisciplinary Working Group This group should include representatives of all parties, ministries, researchers, independent experts and non-governmental organizations with expertise in the relevant fields: environment, security, agriculture, urban planning, health, technology, pedology, finance and local administration.
- Establishment of climate departments in each ministry These specialized structures will ensure the coordination, monitoring and implementation of policies for prevention, adaptation and response to the climate crisis.
- Exchange of international experience Active collaboration with similar working groups from European countries with practical experience in the field, especially regarding climate disaster management, reforestation, adaptive urbanism and energy transition.
- Development and implementation of a National Plan of Measures This should include: Massive reforestation and ecological reconstruction of degraded areas; Hydrotechnical developments (dams, dikes, watercourse regulation); Urban adaptation measures (green infrastructure, urban cooling systems, thermal protection of buildings); Resilient agriculture, soil protection and restoration of irrigation systems; Early warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Allocation of dedicated funds Establishing a sufficient annual budget for the implementation of the plan and a National Fund for Climate Disasters to cover the damage caused by extreme phenomena until the mitigation effects are achieved.
- Use and expansion of existing resources Intelligent use of: Monitoring drones Satellite images The National Anti-Hail System, which must be urgently modernized and expanded Artificial Intelligence and sensor networks for forecasting meteorological phenomena and planning interventions.
- Reform legislation for rapid action Amending legislation where it prevents essential measures from being taken to protect national security, the economy or the health of the population.
- National Pact for Climate Adaptation Signing a Pact between all parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties through which they commit to supporting the implementation of the National Strategy and the Plan of Measures, regardless of political changes, in the interest of present and future generations.
- Proactive and peaceful international positioning Romania must promote diplomatic solutions in all conflicts, as war contributes massively to environmental destruction and the worsening of the climate crisis.
- Rapid transposition of Directive 2024/1203/EU Adopting without delay the provisions of the Directive on the protection of the environment through criminal law, replacing Directives 2008/99/EC and 2009/123/EC.
- Criminalize ecocide Support the inclusion of ecocide as an international crime in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and its adoption in national legislation.
Why is this crucial?
Scientists have been warning for decades that climate change is irreversible in the short term and that its effects can no longer be completely avoided even if all the countries in the world kept their promises. Romania is not spared. On the contrary – it is one of the most exposed countries in Central and Eastern Europe to risks such as severe drought, desertification, extreme storms, agricultural losses and deadly heat waves. If we do not act immediately, the losses will become so costly that no government will be able to cope. Now is the only window of time in which we can reduce the impact and save lives, resources, the economy and biodiversity.
Annex: Some relevant data for Romania (2022–2025)
Estimated agricultural losses in 2024: over 3.5 billion lei, caused by drought, hail and late frosts. Over 280,000 ha affected by severe soil drought in the first 6 months of 2025 alone. Hundreds of localities in the south and east of the country experienced drinking water restrictions in June–July 2025. The National Anti-Hail System covers only 20% of the vulnerable territory and uses mostly outdated technologies. The 2025 heat waves led to over 800 hospitalizations in Bucharest and other major cities. Over 1,200 wildfires recorded between May–July 2025.
Conclusion: it is time to act
The climate crisis is no longer a future danger. It is here, now. It affects everything that matters: life, health, food, water, housing, our safety. It is time for the Parliament, the Government, ministries, city halls and all social actors to act.
