Today, and while finalising a series of votes on resolutions regarding the reports on the enlargement package for the Western Balkans, the European Parliament reaffirmed the urgent need for speeding up the energy transition in the Western Balkans and emphasised the importance of delivering credible and coherent National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) as fundamental tools to set clear pathways for phasing out coal, increasing energy efficiency and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy. The resolutions further highlight the need for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia to align with EU climate goals and contribute towards Europe-wide climate neutrality, as well as to tackle environmental wrongdoings/shortcomings of current energy systems. They underline the utmost importance of transparency, public participation and regional cooperation in/while addressing these issues.
CAN Europe welcomes the European Parliament’s resolutions on Western Balkan countries as they truly capture the pressing concerns in the region. In a context grappling with the fossil fuel crisis, stepping up action towards more renewables and energy efficiency and away from coal is crucial both to mitigate the climate crisis and to break free from fossil fuels while fostering regional cooperation, and driving economic prosperity. This ambition must be reflected in the NECPs through concrete policies and measures that embody principles of just transition, and ensure that citizens are at the core of the process. Policymakers in the region should listen to the call of the European Parliament and seize the opportunity for delivering a just energy transition.
Contacts:
Viktor Berishaj
viktor.berishaj@caneurope.org
WESTERN BALKANS ENERGY & CLIMATE POLICY COORDINATOR
