This briefing analyses the future of the climate policy in the Western Balkans.
Western Balkan countries are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and have signed the Paris Agreement. However, only Albania has ratified it so far. Swift ratification should be the first step that these countries should take to fulfil the commitments made in Paris.
They also have to revise their emission reduction pledges. The most disturbing feature of the current commitments is their lack of ambition: most of the targets account for an actual increase of emissions between now and 2030. Climate action in the region must be ramped up by the end of 2018 at the latest, particularly since the region is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
It is also of utmost importance that the pledges are turned into tangible action on the ground. Coupled with targeted national policies, we need to see a shift of financial flows away from fossil fuel projects without further delay.
Briefing From Paris to Marrakech and beyond: What next for climate policy in the Western Balkans?
