Romania has significant potential for renewable energy, with regions like Dobrogea attracting investments in wind energy projects due to high-intensity winds.
As the global imperative for sustainable business practices continues to intensify, companies worldwide are facing the challenge of adapting to this evolving landscape.
While circularity has surged into the mainstream, earning the status of a "megatrend," data paints a contrasting picture.
Romania faces a shortage of charging stations, but increasing EV adoption highlights growing demand.
Looking ahead to 2030, Ursus aims for carbon neutrality, reduced emissions, sustainable sourcing, and increased diversity within its leadership.
The effects of climate change and increased transparency in supply chains, diversity, equity or inclusion have led to changing customer and employee demands, investor caution.
Mircea Fechet, Romania's Minister for the Environment, Water and Forests, hopes that Romania will be one of the countries where recycling becomes a way of life.
Together with the RetuRO center in Bontida, RetuRO will process approximately one billion beverage packages annually.
Alexandra Floricică, Head of Sustainable Development at Procredit, talked about ProCredit's goals, strategies and initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental footprint while supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Reducing carbon emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy and the development are the objectives of Roca's sustainability strategy for 2024.
JTI Romania follows the group's strategy to improve its environmental footprint, says Gilda Lazăr, Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications at JTI Romania, Moldova & Bulgaria.
Diageo has set a complex 10-year ESG action plan called “Society 2030: Spirit of Progress” which outlines its commitments and actions for a more sustainable future, says Gergely Abraham, Corporate Relations Director Eastern Europe at Diageo.
Sustainability in office design should be considered as an integral and systemic approach, rather than a series of isolated actions, says Horatiu Didea, Managing Partner of Workspace Studio.
UPS cares about sustainability and aims to become carbon neutral by 2050 globally, says Daniela Constantinescu, UPS Country Manager for Hungary, Greece, Romania, and Slovenia.
Egger Romania applies a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal logging and implements the strictest controls on all its wood suppliers, says Commercial Director Alina Chifan. She talked to Green Forum about the company's initiatives regarding sustainability and the biggest difficulties in implementing sustainability actions.
The total amount of sustainable loans granted by Raiffeisen Bank last year exceeded €500 million and the entire portfolio of green products for corporate customers reached €435 million, says Laura Mihăilă, Director of Marketing, Communication & CX at Raiffeisen Bank Romania. She talked to Green Forum about Raiffeisen Bank Romania's ESG strategy and the measures the bank is implementing to reduce the negative environmental impact.
Lidl Romania proposes to use more and more renewable energy sources, says Maria Mihai, Head of Corporate Communication and CSR. She talked to Green Forum about what ESG means for Lidl Romania, the company's current sustainability targets, and the measures that the company has taken regarding care for the environment, and reduced water and energy consumption.
The future of thermal heating relies on heat pumps and boilers running on hydrogen mixed with gas, says Cătălin Drăguleanu, Senior Director at Ariston Romania. He talked to Green Forum about the consumer expectations in Romania compared to those in other parts of Europe and the priorities of Ariston in terms of sustainability investments.
BRD has strengthened its involvement in financing the transition to sustainability with the total volume of new sustainable financing reaching over RON 1.2 billion (€240 million) in the first half of 2023, says Flavia Popa, Secretary General, BRD Groupe Société Générale. She talked to the Green Forum about the target regarding the reduction of water and energy consumption in the BRD offices and also about the social projects that the bank supports.
At Romania's Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests, priorities and challenges change from day to day, depending on events and issues, says Mircea Fechet, Minister of the Environment, Waters and Forests. He talked to Green Forum about the environmental infringements that Romania currently has about the plastic pollution in rivers and about the plans for accessing PNRR funds.
The European Union has reached a provisional agreement to reduce the scope and stringency of two major ESG regulatory frameworks: Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
Waldevar Energy has begun construction on two utility-scale photovoltaic parks for Doral Energy in Tudor Vladimirescu (Brăila County) and Ștefan Vodă (Călărași County), Romania. The projects will deliver 14 MWp of installed capacity using around 25,000 photovoltaic panels.
Lidl Romania has published its eighth sustainability report for the 2024 financial year, announcing accelerated progress in reducing environmental impact. The retailer has achieved its international 2030 target for transitioning to natural refrigerants, with these now used in 100% of logistics centres and 81.7% of stores, compared to the original goal of 100% of logistics centres and 40% of stores. The company has also increased its green energy usage to 80% of total consumption.
Global law firm Dentons has advised OX2 on acquiring three wind power projects totaling 235 MW in Romania from Future Power. The projects, located in Vaslui and Vrancea counties, are expected to be commissioned between 2028 and 2030, subject to permitting.
Romania is emerging as a key destination for Turkish renewable energy investments, attracting growing interest from industrial and financial groups. Real grid connection opportunities for projects, infrastructure modernisation potential, and investment framework stability make Romania strategic for Turkish capital as Europe accelerates its transition to sustainable sources and energy independence.
