Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Republic of Moldova until 2020 and the Plan of its implementation activities.

Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Republic of Moldova until 2020 is a cross-sectoral policy document, which examines planned sectoral climate changes for the Republic of Moldova based on an analysis of the risks and benefits caused by climate changes in specific regions of the country. This analysis was carried out in order to determine the “hot spots” of climate risks, where immediate action is required to adapt to this phenomenon. Risk levels are classified as follows: 1) high - a high probability of risk due to possible climate changes, which requires immediate attention from responsible persons to develop urgent adaptation measures; 2) medium - the average probability of risk caused by possible climate change, which is subject to monitoring; and 3) low - low probability of risk due to possible climate change, which is subject to monitoring. It is expected that existing adaptation measures will be sufficient and no additional measures will be necessary if the circumstances remain unchanged.
Strategy presents a comprehensive vision of the development opportunities of the Republic of Moldova in the way of counteracting these changes, based on an in-depth study of future climate risks and the impact of climate change on various vulnerable sectors. In this regard, it will strengthen and lead a sectoral review of climate risks, the impact of climate change on vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, water, forestry, health, energy, transport and road infrastructure, as well as adapting these sectors to potential climate change.
The scope of the Strategy is to ensure less vulnerability and to gradually increase the sustainability of the social and economic development of the Republic of Moldova to climate change. The goal of the Strategy is to increase the ability of the Republic of Moldova to adapt to the real or potential consequences of climate change and to take response measures in this regard.
The objectives of the Strategy shall be as follows: (a) the creation by 2018 of an institutional framework in the field of climate change, capable of ensuring the effective implementation of adaptation measures at the national, sectoral and local levels; (b) creation by 2020 of a mechanism for monitoring the effects of climate change, the socio-economic vulnerability associated with these changes, and managing climate risk and disaster information; and (c) ensuring the development of resilience to climate change by reducing by at least 50% the risks of climate change by 2020 and promoting adaptation to climate change in six priority sectors.
Long-term climate change, coupled with an increased frequency of extreme climate events, will have a negative impact on the agricultural sector, often causing unwanted side effects at the macroeconomic level. For example, direct impacts on agricultural products and ever lower yields as a result of increased problems associated with pests and plant diseases could, in turn, lead to fluctuations in market prices and a change in crop structure. Climate change is projected to entail both benefits and damage to crops in the Republic of Moldova. Although elevated temperatures will increase the growing season, they can also increase losses due to thermal stress, changes in rainfall patterns and pest problems. Nevertheless, it is assumed that in the Republic of Moldova a significant part of the impact on agriculture will be unfavorable. Changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme events (for example, droughts, floods and torrential rains) are identified as the most significant problem facing the agricultural sector due to climate change. Extreme phenomena that are difficult to predict and which are difficult to prepare for, can disastrously affect the normal course of agricultural work, which has repeatedly happened in the past. The risks identified in will be the highest priority: (a) high risk of drought and water shortages; (b) great need for irrigation; (c) erosion; (d) salinization of the soil, desertification; (e) the appearance of pests, agricultural diseases and weeds; (f) decrease in production of major crops (wheat and corn). Three of these risks relate to the consequences of potential changes in precipitation patterns, more abundant in winter and lack of water in summer.
Adaptation to climate change requires planning at national level: (a) identifying vulnerable zones and sectors and assessing the need and feasibility of crop rotation and variety replacement as a response to climate change; (b) support for agricultural research and pilot production for crop breeding and the development of better varieties that are most suitable for the new climatic conditions; (c) improving adaptability to the effects of climate change by raising stakeholder awareness through the provision of agricultural advice and relevant information on farmland management; (d) providing increased investment to improve the efficiency of irrigation infrastructure, water technologies and improve water management; (e) development of irrigation plans based on a thorough assessment of their impact, future water resources and meeting their needs, taking into account the balance between supply and demand; and (f) creating risk and crisis management tools to counter the economic impacts of climate change.