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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Albania

Albania faces moderate environmental challenges with stable air quality, adequate water access, and 34% forest coverage. The country is vulnerable to climate change impacts like temperature rises of 0.8-1.1°C by 2025 and more frequent droughts, but shows progress in waste reduction from 462 kg/capita in 2018 to 295 kg/capita in 2022 and recycling at 18.9%. Sustainability efforts include renewable energy achievements and protected areas expansion.

Air Quality Index

Moderate

5.0/10

Stable trend

Air quality in Albania is rated 5/10 with a stable trend over the past 6 months. National legislation aligns with EU standards, but monitoring needs improvement. Progress in reducing premature deaths from pollution via better mobility and electric vehicles.

Water Quality

Moderate

6.0/10

Water quality rated 6/10 with adequate access but pollution concerns from various sources. Government monitors standards, though full compliance with EU levels is ongoing. Precipitation changes projected: decreases of 2.6-3.4% by 2025 affecting water resources.

Treatment standards in place; access statistics show improvement needed in rural areas.

Recycling System

Municipal waste generation declined from 462 kg/capita (2018) to 295 kg/capita (2022). Recycling rate rose from 18.1% (2020) to 18.9% (2022) for paper, plastic, metals, glass. National strategy aims for 50% recovery by 2035, with urban collection stronger than rural.

Recycling Rate: 18.9%

plasticpaperglassmetals

Green Spaces

Forest coverage at 34%. Protected areas expanded, including Vjosa Wild River Natural Park designated in 2023. Efforts towards circular economy support green spaces preservation amid climate vulnerability.

Forest Coverage: 34.0%

National Parks: 15

Terrestrial protected areas increased over the last decade; Vjosa designation highlights biodiversity focus.

Environmental Policies

Signed Sofia Declaration for carbon neutrality by 2050. Achieved EU 2030 renewable energy targets early. Aligned air quality laws with EU; National Waste Management Strategy 2020-2035 promotes circular economy.

Key Policies:

•Sofia Declaration Green Agenda
•National Waste Management Action Plan 2020-2035
•NDC Mitigation and Adaptation Measures

Renewable Energy: 15.5% energy consumption reduction targeted; already met EU 87% RES by 2030 goal.

Natural Disaster Risk

MODERATE

Albania has moderate natural disaster risk, highly vulnerable due to low GHG emissions but exposure to events like floods and earthquakes.

earthquakesfloodsdroughtsfires

Climate Change Impacts: Annual temperature increase 0.8-1.1°C by 2025, 1.7-2.3°C by 2050. Precipitation decrease 2.6-3.4% by 2025. More frequent severe droughts and fire risk. Frost days reduction: 4-5 days by 2025. Hydro generation down 10-12% by 2025.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Achieved EU 2030 targets for renewable energy sources ahead of schedule. Signed Sofia Declaration committing to carbon neutrality by 2050. Energy consumption reduction target of 15.5%.

Waste Management

National Strategy on Waste Management 2020-2035 aims for 50% recycling recovery of main household streams by 2035. Waste generation per capita reduced significantly.

Protected Areas

Expanded terrestrial protected areas; Vjosa Wild River Natural Park designated 2023. Organic farming increased via IPARD schemes.

Wildlife & Nature

Loggerhead TurtleVulnerable

Dalmatian PelicanVulnerable

Brown BearCommon

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