Environment and Climate in EU Enlargement

At the recent Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation, last 4 June 2024 in Skopje, Claudio Belis from EC Joint Research Centre, Dir. C, Clean Air and Climate Unit, provided an overview of the project Environment and Climate in EU Enlargement he leads.

This project involoves the monitoring and implementation of EU environmental and climate regulations (acquis) in economies undergoing the EU accession process. The key objectives are:

1. Monitoring the adoption and execution of EU environmental laws related to air, soil, and water quality, as well as climate policies.
2. Supporting the execution of environmental and climate components of the EU Green Deal, Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, and various macro-regional and international policies, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international agreements.
3. Enhancing capacity building and promoting scientific collaboration on environmental and climate issues in the enlargement countries.

The project is a collaborative effort involving different units from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and aligns with several JRC initiatives and portfolios, including the “Global Gateway and International Green Deal” and the “Science and Technology in Associated Countries” initiative. Additionally, it supports the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport.

The intervention by Claudio Belis also highlighted the following upcoming reports and activities:

Science for Policy report on:
• Status of environment and climate in the Western Balkans (expanded section on climate change impacts)
• Status of environment and climate in Ukraine (to support a sustainable reconstruction)

Scientific research
Pathways to implement the EU acquis on environment and climate in the Western Balkans.

A scenario analysis based on a set of energy options is further in progress to identify the most efficient and effective pathways to implement the EU acquis on environment and climate in the Western Balkans using indicators for health and ecosystems impacts and analysis of benefits and costs.

• Cost-benefit analysis of future climate and air pollution policies in the Western Balkans

• How to enhance sustainability by improving the interactions between energy connectivity, air quality and health impacts