Green

Environment and climate/Clean energy

Climate change is the defining crisis of our time. Our environment and ecosystems are under ever-increasing pressure. The Western Balkans is one of the regions in Europe most affected by climate change, and this trend is expected to continue. The EU has been supporting programmes on the environment in the Western Balkans for many years.

Explore more in our Climate action, Environmental protection and Energy thematic section.

But much more is needed – and this is where the EU Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) comes in. In line with the ambitions of the European Green Deal to reach climate neutrality by 2050 – meaning that we will produce no more greenhouse gases than our ecosystems can absorb – protecting the natural environment and tackling climate change are at the heart of the EIP, and the flanking Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.
With the EIP, we will:

• Invest in clean energy, renewable energy and phasing away from coal
• Roll out green public transport solutions and infrastructure for low emission vehicles
• Make buildings and homes more energy efficient
• Invest in eco-friendly technologies and businesses
• Improve water, air and soil quality and protect biodiversity
• Promote eco-friendly farming, and sustainable rural development and food systems
• Reduce waste and plastic litter, and step up recycling to encourage the 'circular economy’