The Evolution of the Romanian Local Administration Budget between 2014-2023 for Environmental Protection

Abstract

This study analyzes the Romanian local administration budget for environmental protection from 2014 to 2023. Positioned as the second-most significant budget within Romania's consolidated financial structure, the local administration budget has faced increasing demands to meet environmental objectives. With international pressures, particularly from the European Union, environmental budgeting is essential to align with sustainability goals and counter environmental degradation. This paper explores the evolution of budget allocations at the national, regional, and local levels, focusing on disparities among development regions, including a detailed case study of the Centre Region. Using descriptive statistics and comparative analysis, the study assesses environmental spending by administrative units, distinguishing between communes, cities, and municipalities. Furthermore, the research employs ANOVA and Tukey tests to identify significant differences in budget allocations across regions and within the Centre Region, emphasizing variances between urban and rural funding levels. Findings reveal fluctuations in funding consistency, regional disparities, and trends in per capita allocations that underscore the differences in budgetary emphasis on environmental protection. This analysis highlights the critical role of localized environmental protection spending in supporting Romania’s environmental and public health outcomes and contributes to broader discussions on sustainable public finance strategies.