Environmental technology - lessons learned in Romania and Norway

The Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Norwegian Ministry of Environment cooperate to promote environmental technology and green public procurement. The aim of the cooperation project “Developing Emergent Ecological markets in Romania” is to strengthen the national infrastructure in Romania in order to support eco-innovation and promote emerging eco-technologies and eco-procurement practises.  On the Norwegian side The Climate and Pollution Agency (Klif) and The Agency for Public Management and eGovernment (Difi) play important roles, and contribute with their experiences and network of experts. 

A Romanian delegation is visiting Norway this week to learn more about Norwegian experiences related to the development and use of environmental technology. Representatives from the Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoE), their partners Management Agency of Scientific Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer (AMCIT) and Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIB) as well as research institutions, private enterprises and NGOs are participating. 

Romania, as one of the most recent EU member states, is currently undertaking major investments in the environmental infrastructure with EU funding. At the same time it aims to maximize the results from other important donors, like the Norway and EEA Grants. - The Norway Grants is a very good opportunity to bilateral Romanian- Norwegian cooperation in the field of environment, said Mr. Szabolcs Szepessy, Political Adviser to the Romanian Minister of Environment and Forests. - The cooperation project aims at facilitating this type of partnership between competitive Norwegian eco-innovators and Romanian front-runners.  Another study visit related to green public procurement will take place in February 2011.

Romanian project promoter and partners, from left: MoE: Speranta Munteanu, General Director, Mihaela Batrinca, General Director, Iulia Degeratu, Public Manager, Szabolcs Szepessy, Political Adviser, Sebastian Tanase, Counsellor, AMCIT: Marius Mitroi, IT Director, CCIB: Valentin Militaru, Vice President and Serban Dimitru, Adviser to the President. Photo: Norwegian Ministry of Environment.

Norway and Romania share the same goal of reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and increased resource efficiency. In this context, both the public and the private sector will have to contribute to bring about a more green economy. The EU’s environmental and climate polices give incentives for speeding up eco-innovation and the use of environmental technology in the Member States and trade partners.

- A sustainable future will require major changes in emissions and consumption patterns in all of Europe, also in Romania and in Norway, said Political Adviser Mr. Audun Garberg in his speech to the Romanian delegation visiting Oslo.

The project receives financial support from Norway Grants.  Approximately one quarter of the EEA and Norway Grants Scheme for 2004-2009 benefits projects related to environmental protection and climate change.

For more information:

• Information on projects in Romania and Bulgaria funded by Norway Grants
• EEA Grants