12 September 2018: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has conducted its third review of Albania’s environmental performance, analyzing progress since the second Environmental Performance Review (EPR), in 2012. This third EPR is the first to integrate the SDGs, and provides recommendations to the government for achieving the Global Goals and implementing climate change commitments.

UNECE’s EPR Programme provides assistance to States by regularly assessing their environmental performance, and reports that in the past 20 years the reviews have led “stronger institutions for environmental management, improved financial frameworks for environmental protection and greening the economy, advanced environmental monitoring and information systems, better integration of environmental concerns into sectoral policies, strengthened public participation and increased international cooperation” in the UNECE region.

Third EPR for Albania reports that the government has aligned its national development agenda, the ‘National Strategy for Development and Integration for the period 2015-2020,’ with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, “a substantial number” of SDG targets and indicators are not covered by the country’s current policy framework. The government is working to develop a national action plan on the SDGs and to align SDG implementation and monitoring efforts with Albania’s EU accession process.

On awareness of the SDGs, the review finds that central government authorities have “insufficient” knowledge, with many government officials reporting that they have heard about the 2030 Agenda but “did not know what their institution was doing on the SDGs.” Further, local government authorities, civil society, the private sector and academia have low awareness of the SDGs.

Albania does not assess the health impact of air pollution, hindering its measurement of progress towards SDG target 3.9.

The review finds improvements in aspects of the country’s environment, including its air quality, with a 35% decrease in sulphur oxide emissions since 2005 and a 10% decrease in emissions of ammonia. The country has reduced its use of fossil fuels in energy production and industrial processes, and introduced EU fuel quality standards. The EPR expresses concern, however, that Albania does not assess the health impacts of air pollution, which means the country cannot measure progress towards the relevant SDG target on reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination (SDG target 3.9).

Also on monitoring, the report notes that Albania has insufficient funding to implement the annual national environmental monitoring programme. Although Albania produces an annual indicator-based “state of the environment” report, the EPR observes, there is not a clear link between the annual reports and policy setting. Further, the country lacks a national integrated environmental management system, and the absence of monitoring data on air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and data on species and habitats has impacted the country’s timely reporting on its international environmental commitments. As an illustration, Albania’s most recent official documents on GHG emissions are based on data up until 2009.

The country’s protected areas (PAs) have increased from 3.6% in 2002 to 16.61% of the country. Albania established the National Agency of Protected Areas in 2015, and has adopted a Law on Protected Areas that allows national park revenue to be used for afforestation and fire prevention, among other park management activities. In addition, Albania has worked to tackle illegal hunting and logging, including imposing a ten-year moratorium on logging, with the exception of fuelwood used by local communities.

On climate change, the review analyzes Albania’s adaptation and mitigation measures and the country’s participation in international mechanisms. The review finds that Albania has set targets to reduce its emissions and increase its share of renewable energy but lacks specific legislation to support and promote the reduction of GHG emissions. The EPR observes that, unlike in many countries, Albania’s forests have become a net carbon dioxide (CO2) emitter due to the reduction in the country’s forests between 2000 and 2009. Albania also lacks data and studies on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems, forests, land and soil cover and water resources.

On energy, Albania is highly dependent on hydropower as a source of energy, and is the regional leader in the number of planned and built hydropower plants. The review notes, however, that the country has not undertaken a cumulative impact assessment of hydropower plants, including on PAs, and that measures related to green economy are “scattered.” The review recommends that Albania reduce its dependence on hydropower and adopt “cleaner solutions for the environment.”

The review identifies municipal waste, rural water supply, and sanitation and wastewater treatment as the country’s key environmental challenges. The EPR further highlights challenges in implementation and enforcement of Albania’s environmental legislation, observing that the legislation is “too advanced” for the country’s administrative, financial and institutional capacities. The review recommends that the government strengthen its waste management efforts, including by constructing modern, sanitary landfills and creating a viable market for recycles.

The report provides recommendations for aligning and implementing the SDGs and specific recommendations for each sector. [Publication: Environmental Performance Reviews: Albania: Third Review] [EPR Synopsis] [UNECE Press Release]