The European Commission is urging Albania to improve environmental legislation and strengthen the institutions that implement the law.
In the 2025 progress report, the EU notes a lack of progress in chapter 27 on the environment, highlighting serious weaknesses in planning, investment and public transparency.
The report highlights that institutional capacity for strategic planning, investment and coordination on environmental issues remains weak.
Environmental impact assessments are considered to be of low quality and institutional recommendations are rarely implemented or monitored. Public participation in decision-making is considered minimal, while environmental law is only partially implemented.
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The changes to the law on "Protected Areas" are seen with concern for the environmental situation. According to the report, they led to the destruction of natural habitat areas and the weakening of inspection capacities for environmental crimes.
As an example, the Commission cites the construction of a resort in the Bunë-Velipoja Protected Landscape, despite local protests and the listing of the area to become part of the Natura 2000 network.
The report criticizes the extension of the Strategic Investment Law until 2027, linking it to increased pressure on protected areas. It also highlights the construction of Vlora Airport in the Pishë Poro-Nartë area, despite repeated requests by the Berne Convention to suspend the works.
“Despite the request of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention in December 2023 and December 2024 to suspend the works until a new and sufficient EIA procedure is carried out,” highlighted in the report.
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According to the Commission, limited funds, frequent staff dismissals, and a lack of expertise have weakened the central administration.
The investigations into the Tirana incinerator and the issue of hazardous waste returned from Thailand remain, according to the Commission, examples of a crisis of credibility in environmental management.
"An investigation into 102 containers of suspected toxic waste returned from Thailand in October 2024 is still ongoing," the report states.
Other environmental concerns
The mountain package is described as a law that endangers forests and pastures, paving the way for large-scale construction. Illegal logging and hunting, according to the report, have increased even within protected areas.
Albania has not yet banned single-use plastics, while waste separation projects remain limited to just one pilot project in Berat.
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The report says urgent action is needed against waste dumping.
Water management also poses problems. According to the report, out of seven river basin plans, only five have been implemented (Drin-Buna, Semani, Ishmi, Erzeni and Mati), while two (Shkumbini and Vjosa) are still pending.
According to the Commission, Albania has not made any progress in terms of air quality.
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The quality monitoring system is recommended to be expanded and improved, as there are currently only seven automatic stations throughout the country and most are out of order.
On the other hand, the report notes that Albania has not yet prepared strategic noise maps and has no publicly accessible data.
In the field of chemicals, the report highlights the lack of an adapted regulatory framework for their registration, evaluation and restriction.
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Similarly, adaptation to EU climate norms remains limited without any particular development.
The report notes that the climate law needs to be updated to match the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, while the decision to build a new power plant in March 2025 risks meeting these goals.
According to the Commission, Albania needs to develop a low-carbon development strategy and integrate climate change into sectoral policies. At present, only eight municipalities have prepared local adaptation plans.
Read also:
- Waste Draft Law: Between Limited Transparency and Risk to Private Interests
- IUCN urges Albania to review the law on Protected Areas
- Exclusive, Jim Puckett's testimony about toxic waste from Durrës in Thailand
Erisa Kryeziu has completed higher studies in Journalism and Communication and Master of Science in Public Relations at the University of Tirana. She has been a journalist and project manager at Citizens.al for five years, where she reports on social issues and human rights, especially on issues of rights at work, in education, gender equality, marginalized groups, people with disabilities such as and for environmental issues. At the same time, she works as a project coordinator with a focus on youth and media education. User of new reporting techniques such as "Mobile Journalism" and citizen engagement tools in reporting (ECR-Engage Citizens Journalism).
