Environmental protection in Romania under attack: Greenpeace demands clarification

Bucharest, Vienna, 17 October - Greenpeace sees its commitment to climate and nature protection in Romania under threat and demands clarification from Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja and Justice Minister Alina Gorghiu. In an open letter sent to both ministers today, Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) demands clarity regarding an alleged complaint against several environmental protection organisations. According to media reports, this complaint has been received by the Romanian Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) and could have triggered criminal proceedings. 

Greenpeace CEE has been criticising one of Romania’s fossil fuel projects, the Neptun Deep gas project, a joint project of OMV Petrom and Romgaz, in the Romanian Black Sea for some time and is coming under increasing pressure. 

When asked about his suspected involvement in the matter, the Romanian energy minister launched an all-out attack on environmental protection organisations in different public statements. Among other things, he criticised them for using legitimate legal remedies in approval procedures for controversial energy projects. He stated the Ministry of Energy cannot confirm or deny the information stated in the press.

“The Romanian government should do better than using law enforcement agencies to intimidate civil society organisations that defend fundamental rights to health and a clean environment. Greenpeace in Romania works to protect what is dear to all Romanians, the rich biodiversity of the Black Sea, and a safe climate without unbearable heat waves and devastating floods. To guarantee Romania’s economic prosperity in the future, we need to establish an energy system based on renewables instead of pouring money into fossil fuel investments that will only make Romania uncompetitive” - said Vlad Catuna, the climate and energy campaigner of Greenpeace Romania.

There is a growing social resentment towards the Neptun Deep project in Romania. More than forty thousand Romanians have already signed the Greenpeace petition that calls for the protection of the Black Sea from the Neptun Deep project.

Jasmin Duregger, climate and energy expert at Greenpeace CEE: “It is absurd: instead of the Romanian government rejecting OMV's fossil mega gas project, it is now being reported that Greenpeace is being investigated by the criminal and terrorism prosecutor's office. We will certainly not remain silent and will continue to take legitimate legal action against highly problematic oil and gas drilling. We demand clarification from Energy Minister Burduja, and from Justice Alina Gorghiu, as the minister responsible for the criminal and terrorism prosecution. And we demand answers as to how the Romanian government will protect environmental rights in the future.” 

In recent months, Greenpeace has filed several lawsuits regarding the highly controversial Neptun Deep project in Romania. While both the scientific and economic communities call for the urgent halt to the expansion of all fossil fuels, according to Neptun Deep fossil gas project documents, the project would cause 276 million tonnes of climate-damaging emissions over its lifetime, further escalating the climate crisis that is already taking a huge toll on people all over the world. Potential gas leaks and construction noise would pose an additional threat to endangered dolphin species. 

For more info;

Vlad Catuna, Greenpeace Romania Climate and Energy Campaigner, vlad.catuna@greenpeace.org, +40 754 029 180.

Reka Hunyadi, Greenpeace CEE Co-Head of Communications and Engagement, reka.hunyadi@greenpeace.org, +36 20 525 35 00.