Environment & Climate

Environment & Climate

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Environment & Climate

Number of projects

0

Investment value

0

Grant value

0

Loan value

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The Western Balkans faces a common set of environmental challenges, as the land use is changing. People move to cities and coastal regions resulting in the loss of coastal habitats and increasing urban sprawl. Pollution, especially air pollution, in urban and industrial areas, in addition to the discharge of wastewater, are taking a toll on human health and the environment. Municipal authorities in towns and cities are struggling to manage the situation. 

At the same time, the region has unique habitats, home to remarkable biodiversity, which need to be protected and conserved. To improve the situation, sustainable and reliable ways of managing water supply, wastewater and waste disposal are crucial and have a strong impact on environmental protection, citizens’ health, and tourism in the region. Given the EU perspective of the region, EU targets, including to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % by 2030, must frame the systemic modernisation of the region and its future growth.

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Investment Priorities

Latest News

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Bosnia and Herzegovina and World Bank sign €8 million grant
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19-06-2024

Bosnia and Herzegovina and World Bank sign €8 million grant

This finances the first phase of development of the waterway on the Sava River

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Spring updates for WBIF factsheets
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15-04-2024

Spring updates for WBIF factsheets

Overviews by WBIF sector, transport corridor and bilateral donor-funded projects are now available.

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Progress made on North Macedonia’s largest environmental project
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03-03-2022

Progress made on North Macedonia’s largest environmental project

On 1 March, a key step in the implementation of the €136 million EU-supported project was made with the announ...

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Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans

The European Green Deal is underpinned by policies designed to develop modern, resource-efficient and competitive economies where growth is decoupled from emissions of greenhouse gases, resource use and waste generation, where climate resilience is pursued. The Green Deal can only be fully effective if the EU’s immediate neighbourhood also takes action at an early stage. This is all the more valid for the Western Balkans given their European perspective. 

The Commission is therefore presenting a Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. Economic growth and new business opportunities will be linked to more sustainable consumption and production patterns, including promotion of a circular economy, conservation of scarce resources, and better re-use of waste products, linked to all economic sectors, including urban and rural perspectives, and building on ecosystem sustainability as a precondition for success. 

In the environment sector, the Economic and Investment Plan foresees the Flagship 7 - Waste and Wastewater Management.

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Economic growth and new business opportunities

Linked to more sustainable consumption and production patterns, including promotion of a circular economy.

Long-term Climate Strategies and National Energy and Climate Plans

EU support to the Western Balkans in implementing the partners’ strategies and plans.

Boosting private companies

Moving all sectors of the economy towards sustainability, whether in energy, mobility, or agriculture.

Innovative green and digital technologies

Create new business models that allow industry to be more productive decarbonised.

Shift towards the circular economy

Establish the recycling and reuse as the rule while the use of natural resources is significantly reduced.

Protection of biodiversity

Restoration of the natural capital and efficient waste collection systems to prevent the environmental pollution.

Achieved results

2009 - 2022

  • Improved water and sanitation services for 2.4 million people
  • Efficient solid waste services for 337,000 people
  • Over 660,000 people protected from floods
  • Flood forecasting and warning system for 5.4 m people in the Sava River Basin

Expected results

2023 - 2031

  • Improved water and sanitation services for 6.1 million people
  • Efficient solid waste services for 2.4 million people
  • 5.7 million people protected from floods

GREEN AGENDA

The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans builds on the ambitious goal of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. It is embedded in the Economic and Investment Plan, which has a transformative potential to spur the long-term recovery of the Western Balkans and their economic convergence with the EU, backed by a twin green and digital transition.

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Latest Videos

Publications

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WBIF Environment and Climate
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19-09-2024

WBIF Environment and Climate

WBIF Environment and Climate Factsheet (September 2024)

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WBIF Bilateral Donors Factsheet
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25-07-2024

WBIF Bilateral Donors Factsheet

WBIF Bilateral Donors factsheet (last updated in July 2024).

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Economic and Investment Plan: Endorsed Flagship Investments 2020-2024
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22-07-2024

Economic and Investment Plan: Endorsed Flagship Investments 2020-2024

Flagship investments endorsed under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, July 2024.

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Partner Financial Organisations

Western Balkans Partners