Public Opinion Barometer: The green transition has public support in Moldova, but depends on infrastructure and costs
Seven out of ten Moldovans are concerned about the state of the environment in the Republic of Moldova. Among the reasons for their concerns are, first and foremost, the impact on health and family, as well as on future generations, followed by the impact on agriculture, natural resources, the frequency of extreme weather events, and rising prices.
Thus, people react more strongly to the effects on health and the future than to economic issues perceived as abstract.
People are more receptive to adopting simple, low-cost behaviors, but need to be convinced when it comes to practices that require infrastructure and investment.
These are some of the conclusions of the Public Opinion Barometer on Green Transition, launched on 18 March 2026, on Global Recycling Day. The research was conducted with the support of the European Union and UNDP Moldova.
“The study presented today is very valuable because it helps us understand how citizens, businesses, and institutions perceive environmental changes. At the same time, it reminds us that the green transition must go hand in hand with investments in infrastructure and practical solutions that make sustainable choices easier,” said Adam Grodzicki, Deputy Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.
“The Public Opinion Barometer shows that green transition is increasingly recognized as a priority in the Republic of Moldova. Public awareness of environmental challenges is growing, while businesses are showing greater commitment to responsible resource use and sustainable practices. At the same time, the survey results reveal that progress depends not only on awareness, but also on available infrastructure. That is why UNDP and partners invest in green solutions,” said Seher Ariner, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.
More than half of respondents (55%) consider themselves informed about environmental issues, according to the Public Opinion Barometer on Green Transition, while 44% say they are not at all or only slightly informed. The major disparity lies in the level of education. There is a high level of awareness of major environmental issues, but information is unevenly distributed. Perception of these issues is stronger in areas associated with visible and direct effects (climate, forests, water), and less so in technical or systemic domains.
Perceptions of the environment are shaped by direct experience with local infrastructure and services. Thus, nearly 80% of respondents rated water supply services favorably, 74% rated wastewater and waste management services favorably, and 65% rated the cleanliness of local areas and the maintenance of green spaces positively. The overall perception is moderately positive for “basic” services, but “heavy” infrastructure (sewerage, roads) represents the core of the structural problems perceived at the local level.
The Public Opinion Barometer on Green Transition reveals a high potential for social acceptance of eco-friendly behaviors and solutions in the Republic of Moldova. The data show that simple, low-cost practices that are easy to integrate into daily routines predominate. As a practice requires additional infrastructure, investment, or organizational changes, the frequency of its adoption decreases.
Thus, among the behaviors adopted by 7 out of 10 respondents are walking, the rational use of energy and water, and disposing of waste in designated areas. In contrast, infrastructure-dependent practices are less widespread: plastic recycling (34%), separate waste collection (30%), more frequent use of public transportation (31%), and repairing household appliances (27%).
Regarding circular practices, the analysis finds that some solutions are already relatively widespread, but most are still adopted by only a minority of the population. “Household” solutions (especially composting) are easier to adopt, at 50%, while practices that depend on external supply chains (return, energy recovery) remain more limited: recycling (38%), energy recovery (27%), and packaging return (23%). Thus, the authors note that circularity is present but fragmented.
The study recommends that public policies and communication be grounded in the principles of health, safeguarding the future, and resource security, with economic considerations serving as a complementary rather than a dominant factor. Furthermore, interventions should focus on the infrastructure sectors that cause the most frustration (sewerage, roads, and sanitation) and inequalities in access.
The public opinion barometer on the green transition was conducted by the CBS-AXA Center for Sociological and Marketing Research on behalf of UNDP Moldova through the project “Enabling an Inclusive Green Transition in the Republic of Moldova”, funded by the European Union. The survey was conducted on a sample of 1,335 adults, with data collected between 21 November and 9 December 2025, through in-home interviews in Romanian and Russian. The survey has a margin of error of ±2.7%.
