Albania has ratified both the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol where it holds the status of a Non-Annex 1 Party. Albania’s contribution to the global greenhouse gas emissions is relatively low, estimated at an average of 9,4 million ton/year of CO2 eqv. This is because over 95 percent of Albania’s electricity is produced from hydro sources and h
igh energy intensity industries are no longer operating. Transportation (mobile sources) followed by agriculture and waste sector are the main categories that are found to have significant contribution to the total greenhouse gas emissions for Albania. If no measures to reduce greenhouse (GHG) emissions are taken, the GHG emissions for Albania will increase in the years to come. While bearing little responsibility for global greenhouse gas emissions, Albania is bearing the majority of the environmental, social and economic consequences caused from climate change. Albania will be highly affected by climate change, at the same rate as the rest of the world with increased temperatures, less precipitation and rising sea levels and if not properly considered and addressed this will undermine the country’s development and poverty eradication progress.
