Building Climate Resilience and Smart Energy Systems in the Western Balkans
Tirana, Pristina, Skopje, Belgrade, Banjaluka – September 23, 2024
Countries in the Western Balkans are experiencing climate change impacts through extreme weather events. Heatwave periods are stronger, longer, and even more extreme. On the other hand, once normal rainy periods occurring every few days are now shorter with modest precipitation, while heavy rains are causing damaging floods. This is among other factors causing young farmers in North Macedonia to pivot from agriculture, while many youngsters from the whole region seek opportunities abroad. At the same time, the fact that 37% of Albanian citizens live in poverty is putting pressure on the country’s energy sector to ensure that energy remains at an affordable price. Kosovo too faces significant energy challenges, including high levels of energy consumption and reliance on aging coal-fired power plants. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, particularly through increased heatwaves and demand for cooling.
These were just some of the messages coming from participants in the workshop series entitled ‘Building Climate Resilience and Smart Energy Systems’ organised by Ecocivilisation and led by Dr Violeta Bulc and local partners in Tirana, Pristina, Skopje, Belgrade and Banjaluka between the 16th and 20th of September 2024. This initiative is aimed to foster meaningful dialogue among participants, enhancing understanding and raising awareness of the urgent need to advance the energy transition and strengthen climate resilience in the region. Based on this, participants coming from different sectors (connected to energy and climate issues) took the climate-energy discussion from theory to practice during the workshops.
These were just some of the messages coming from participants in the workshop series entitled ‘Building Climate Resilience and Smart Energy Systems’ organised by Ecocivilisation and led by Dr Violeta Bulc and local partners in Tirana, Pristina, Skopje, Belgrade and Banjaluka between the 16th and 20th of September 2024. This initiative is aimed to foster meaningful dialogue among participants, enhancing understanding and raising awareness of the urgent need to advance the energy transition and strengthen climate resilience in the region. Based on this, participants coming from different sectors (connected to energy and climate issues) took the climate-energy discussion from theory to practice during the workshops.
Key highlights:
- None of the countries has a well needed energy mix; all depend on one dominant source and even though that some have hydro energy source as the dominant one, it is challenged by unstable water conditions. Recommended action: Ongoing projects to support investments in energy mix (solar, water, wind, coal (in a transitional period) with investments in filters to lower the impact of emissions on health).
- Energy infrastructure is old and not fit for editing renewable sources of energy to it even if available. Recommended actions: support projects in the region to modernise the transmission and the access grid to be fit for the energy mix.
- All countries in the region are missing an effective cross-border energy connectivity, therefore, none can fully utilise the regional Energy Community; there is no energy storage unit to be able to maximise the renewable energy sources. Recommended action: encourage a more efficient cross-border collaboration with a possible joined investment in an energy storage device that could serve the Regional Energy Community.
- The level of awareness of the general public about climate change is low. Recommended action: ongoing workshops on raising climate awareness, possibly sector focus (agriculture, energy, transport, health)
- There are reliable and professional partners in the region that could help delivering more targeted project related to the mitigation of climate change in the future.
Key Takeaways:
- All Western Balkan countries are increasingly vulnerable to climate extremes, such as heatwaves, floods, and erratic rainfall, driving a need for resilient energy systems and adaptive solutions across sectors.
- Renewable energy initiatives are gaining momentum across the region, particularly in Albania and North Macedonia, as countries transition from coal and embrace solar, wind, and other sustainable sources to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Experts emphasise the importance of integrated, multi-sectoral approaches that link energy, infrastructure, public health, and mental well-being to address the broader social, economic, and environmental impacts of climate change.
- Climate impacts are pushing young people to reconsider traditional livelihoods, such as agriculture, towards opportunities abroad, further emphasising the need for sustainable development and job creation within the region.
A Detailed Look at the Workshops:
As with all Western Balkan countries, Serbia will also experience more regular and more intensive heatwaves. Moreover, heatwave periods will exceed the periods of known weather patterns. These climate changes are already affecting human wellbeing and health, and are further impacting the economy and society, Dr. Vladimir Djurdjevic, a climatologist from the Faculty of Physics, Belgrade, highlighted at the Serbian workshop ‘Building Climate Resilience and Smart Energy Systems’ organized by Ecocivilisation and the Serbian Environment Improvement Center (Centar za unapređenje životne sredine), as a local partner, in Belgrade.
As shown in the Bosnian workshop, Bosnia and Herzegovina will also experience an increase in the number of summer days by the end of this century according to all climate scenarios, while according to climate scenario RCP8.5 (which refers to the concentration of carbon that delivers global warming at an average of 8.5 watts per square meter across the planet), the number of summer days will increase by up to 40 days in the period between 2046-2065 and up to 60 days in the period between 2081-2100, according to Dragan Ostic from Center for Environment – a Banjaluka-based local partner in this project.
As climatologist Oleksandra Heraskina highlighted in the climate part of the workshops, Europe is heating at twice the global rate, but in the 1.5°C scenarios, people in the Western Balkans must be prepared to live with a climate that is 3 degrees warmer. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report confirmed that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the global average near-surface temperature at 1.45°C above the pre-industrial baseline, reminded Heraskina. Showing the comparison between climate risks and vulnerability between the Western Balkans and EU countries, Heraskina highlighted that heat waves across this region are expected to increase in intensity, duration and frequency, possibly by as much as six-to-eight times per year. On the other hand, climate change is a driver for interconnected social-economic security risks, as extreme weather events and groundwater depletion are leading to labour productivity, social fragmentation, water, food as well as energy security challenges, and poverty, which is tightly connected to increasing costs of living and further on political instability and violent conflict.
As climatologist Oleksandra Heraskina highlighted in the climate part of the workshops, Europe is heating at twice the global rate, but in the 1.5°C scenarios, people in the Western Balkans must be prepared to live with a climate that is 3 degrees warmer. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report confirmed that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the global average near-surface temperature at 1.45°C above the pre-industrial baseline, reminded Heraskina. Showing the comparison between climate risks and vulnerability between the Western Balkans and EU countries, Heraskina highlighted that heat waves across this region are expected to increase in intensity, duration and frequency, possibly by as much as six-to-eight times per year. On the other hand, climate change is a driver for interconnected social-economic security risks, as extreme weather events and groundwater depletion are leading to labour productivity, social fragmentation, water, food as well as energy security challenges, and poverty, which is tightly connected to increasing costs of living and further on political instability and violent conflict.
Climate challenges demand a holistic approach
Climate change is increasingly putting stress on mental health, Heraskina added. With this in mind, curator of Ecocivilisation, Dr Violeta Bulc stressed that a holistic approach is a must, and that climate change should be addressed in all possible areas, including the energy sector, where the infrastructure is especially at risk. Having this and human health in mind, trees and green areas are crucial in urban planning, as all infrastructure should be built with climate change in mind, she added. But to address all the key challenges brought by climate change, it is necessary to put the concrete problems ‘on the table’ and discuss them openly – with entrepreneurs, engineers, medical professionals, politicians, educators, environmentalists, scientists, and farmers among others being actively involved.
“When an engineer gets a concrete problem to work on, he will immediately start searching for the solution!” Bulc assured participants of the Macedonian workshop, where a local partner was the Center for Environmental Research and Information -Eko-Svest. As an electrical engineer herself, Dr. Bulc invited participants to discuss painful topics with full transparency. “Next to the future infrastructure planning, it is crucial to act on re-adjusting existing infrastructure as well,” she highlighted.
“When an engineer gets a concrete problem to work on, he will immediately start searching for the solution!” Bulc assured participants of the Macedonian workshop, where a local partner was the Center for Environmental Research and Information -Eko-Svest. As an electrical engineer herself, Dr. Bulc invited participants to discuss painful topics with full transparency. “Next to the future infrastructure planning, it is crucial to act on re-adjusting existing infrastructure as well,” she highlighted.
Message from Serbia: It’s time to ‘walk the green talk’!
Serbia has experienced severe floods in recent years, notably the catastrophic floods of 2014, which caused extensive damage to energy infrastructure, including power plants and transmission lines. In response, the country has implemented several measures to build climate resilience in its energy sector. These include strengthening flood defences around critical energy infrastructure, such as the Kolubara coal mines and power plants, and improving early warning systems for extreme weather events. Additionally, Serbia is increasingly exploring the potential of renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, with a clear goal of reducing its dependency on coal-based power generation, which is not only environmentally harmful, but also highly vulnerable to weather extremes caused by climate change. The shift toward renewable energy also greatly contributes to long-term climate resilience by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and diversifying the country’s energy mix.
In this sense, participants in the Serbian workshop were putting forward key messages connected to the need for deeper environmental education, highlighting that raising climate awareness is a ‘must’ for all generations. They also noted that now is a good time to establish a ministry for community and societal engagement, and finally — that the time has come to really ‘walk the green talk’. What is needed is also:
In this sense, participants in the Serbian workshop were putting forward key messages connected to the need for deeper environmental education, highlighting that raising climate awareness is a ‘must’ for all generations. They also noted that now is a good time to establish a ministry for community and societal engagement, and finally — that the time has come to really ‘walk the green talk’. What is needed is also:
- A systemic approach to tackling the challenges of climate change;
- Wider societal dialogue in the country;
- Citizens’ empowerment in becoming constructive climate agents;
- Addressing climate change issues in relations to mental health;
- Assuring just energy transitions by inventing in new job opportunities and professions aligned with the climate agenda.
Read the article from the magazine eEkolist: IZGRADNJA KLIMATSKE
OTPORNOSTI I PAMETNIH
ENERGETSKIH SISTEMA U SRBIJI
North Macedonia and Albania going (fully) renewable
North Macedonia has historically relied on coal for electricity generation, but the country is making significant strides in transitioning to renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power. The government launched the “National Energy Strategy” to reduce carbon emissions and increase the share of renewables in the energy mix. Notable projects include the construction of large-scale solar power plants such as the 10 MW Oslomej solar plant, built on the site of a former coal mine. This transition not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also enhances climate resilience by diversifying energy sources. By reducing reliance on coal, North Macedonia is less vulnerable to disruptions caused by climate-related events, such as water shortages that affect coal and hydropower plants. On the other hand, renewable energy, especially solar, is recognized as the sector that creates jobs and promotes sustainable economic growth in the country, and even wider region.
In Albania, heat waves are expected to increase in intensity, duration and frequency, possibly by as much as six –to eight times, per year. The lack of green areas in cities overlaps with higher PM2.5 concentrations. Particulate matter is consistently elevated throughout the day in some areas of Shkodra, Tirana, and Vlora, climatologist Oleksandra Heraskina shared, whereas Albanian Deputy minister at the Ministry of Tourism and Environment Almira Xhembulla reminded that in recent years, the country has seen significant investments in solar and wind energy.
The Karavasta Solar Park, which will soon be one of the largest in the Western Balkans, is a clear indication of the country’s commitment to renewable energy. With a capacity of 140 MW, this project will further reduce Albania’s carbon footprint and contribute to the region’s energy stability. In 2023, Albania produced a total of 81 GWh of energy, with a significant boost coming from the country’s largest photovoltaic (PV) plant, which began operations at the end of the year with an installed capacity of 140 MW. Looking ahead, the national regulatory authority has licensed an additional 550 MW of PV capacity, and in July 2024, the government announced the winners of an auction for another 300 MW of PV plants. These developments reflect a significant expansion in renewable energy capacity, which could have a substantial impact on future energy production and investment, according to Albanian Deputy Minister Almira Xhembulla.
The Karavasta Solar Park, which will soon be one of the largest in the Western Balkans, is a clear indication of the country’s commitment to renewable energy. With a capacity of 140 MW, this project will further reduce Albania’s carbon footprint and contribute to the region’s energy stability. In 2023, Albania produced a total of 81 GWh of energy, with a significant boost coming from the country’s largest photovoltaic (PV) plant, which began operations at the end of the year with an installed capacity of 140 MW. Looking ahead, the national regulatory authority has licensed an additional 550 MW of PV capacity, and in July 2024, the government announced the winners of an auction for another 300 MW of PV plants. These developments reflect a significant expansion in renewable energy capacity, which could have a substantial impact on future energy production and investment, according to Albanian Deputy Minister Almira Xhembulla.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo: Where problems turn into opportunities!
Dr Violeta Bulc reminded attendees that, unfortunately, there is also a lot of disinformation about climate change – some of it deliberate, and some just misinformation. This draws attention to mental health, as natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods tend to lead to negative emotions such as anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while acute stress comes also from the sudden loss of homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. Another challenging form of eco-anxiety and chronic stress comes from fear about the future of the planet and a sense of uncertainty, helplessness or loss of control, Bulc highlighted.
In this sense, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the most important messages from the workshop were that life-long learning and eliminating corruption are crucial when talking about climate-energy challenges. Additionally, the full inclusion of young people, starting with children, in these discussions, alongside the empowerment of all citizens in decision-making processes, is essential to influence political leaders to take the necessary steps toward a more sustainable energy future.
In this sense, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the most important messages from the workshop were that life-long learning and eliminating corruption are crucial when talking about climate-energy challenges. Additionally, the full inclusion of young people, starting with children, in these discussions, alongside the empowerment of all citizens in decision-making processes, is essential to influence political leaders to take the necessary steps toward a more sustainable energy future.
In several cases, it was recognized that obstacles are also opportunities – including in Kosovo. This was shown in the workshop in Pristina, which was co-organized by the Youth Ecological and Security Zone – EcoZ as a local partner. Kosovo has great potential in its human, natural and other resources, and it is crucial to recognise these assets to use them in the smartest way possible. In this sense, the event in Pristina showcased the work local entrepreneur Dugagjin Berisha who, five years ago with almost zero savings, started Kosovo Glass Recycling, a company making a substantial contribution to reducing the country’s waste—another key issue for Kosovo.
And as Lulzim Baumann, a Circular Economy and Waste Management Expert and Albanian partner in this project, stressed: “The only thing we can’t afford is to give up. Whether it’s waste management, clean energy, or any other sustainability challenge, the path forward will be difficult. But we must move forward. There’s no room for blame or shame, only for collaboration and action!”
And as Lulzim Baumann, a Circular Economy and Waste Management Expert and Albanian partner in this project, stressed: “The only thing we can’t afford is to give up. Whether it’s waste management, clean energy, or any other sustainability challenge, the path forward will be difficult. But we must move forward. There’s no room for blame or shame, only for collaboration and action!”
Background: The initiative, titled “Building Climate Resilience and Smart Energy Systems”, is a forward-looking project spearheaded by Dr. Violeta Bulc, founder of Ecocivilisation. This collaborative effort brings together prominent local partners, including the Youth Ecological and Security Zone (EcoZ) in Kosovo, the Center for Environmental Research and Information (Eko-svest) in North Macedonia, RecycAl in Albania, the Center for Environment (Centar za životnu sredinu) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Environment Improvement Center (Centar za unapređenje životne sredine) in Serbia. The initiative is further supported by Climate Strategies.
More information and additional questions are welcome: Dr. Violeta Bulc, founder of Ecocivilisation
More information and additional questions are welcome: Dr. Violeta Bulc, founder of Ecocivilisation
