There are a number of known environmental issues in the post-communist country of Albania. Issues include air and water pollution, poor waste management infrastructure and deforestation. The Albanian environmental movement includes around 40 active non-government organisations.
Air pollution is a major environmental issue in the bigger cities of Albania, especially the capital, Tirana. The sharp increase in air pollution in bigger cities resulted from a sharp increase in cars' ownership, increasing secondary activity in the area and decrease of urban greenery. Annual average concentrations of PM10 and NO2 in Tirana are above the limit values of National Air Quality Standard and World Health Organization. [1] [2]
Albania is one of the European countries most at risk and vulnerable to natural disasters. [3] Natural disasters, such as floods and forest fires, are increasing in Albania due to climate change, causing significant damage. Albania experiences nearly one natural disaster annually on average, each disaster causing damage equivalent to 1.3% of the country’s GDP and impacting around 5% of the population. [4] Rising sea levels are anticipated to negatively impact coastal communities and the tourism industry. [4]
In 2023 Albania emitted 7.67 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, [5] equivalent to 2.73 tonnes per person, [6] making it a relatively low emitting country. Albania's Nationally Determined Contribution to the UNFCCC, submitted in 2016 and revised in 2021, outlines efforts to enhance climate resilience across key sectors, including energy, agriculture, public health, and biodiversity. The country is prioritizing adaptation through policies, research, and investments in areas such as coastal protection, urban planning, and climate awareness. Albania's climate action is guided by its National Adaptation Planning and its Third National Communication. The country is dedicated to creating a long-term strategy for low-carbon development and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. [7] Albania has pledged a 20.9% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. [8]
Water pollution in Albania is caused by disposal of trash, and discharge of untreated wastewater and sewage. Two rivers which pass through the capital, Tirana, are two of the most polluted rivers in Albania. Lanë and Ishëm (river) are clean at their source, but once they enter Tirana, their water is several times more polluted than allowed standards. [9] Industrial pollution of rivers has been observed in the rivers Shkumbini, Fani, Gjanika and Semani, where toxic organic compounds and metals from mining and industrial activity are heavily affecting these rivers. [10]
The waste management system is composed by a weak collection systems in cities and very little collection systems in rural areas. The Albania’s collection coverage is around 77%. [11] Recycling is done by private companies, which employ poor people to collect plastic, metallic, glass and paper waste which is processed or packed and then sold to other countries. [12] The rest is mostly landfilled. Awareness on waste recycling is low. Littering and dumping trash remains a serious problem for Albania. [13]
Illegal logging is the main threat to Albanian forests. [14] The other threat comes from forest fires which in the last years have intensified. Albania had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 6.77/10, ranking it 64th globally out of 172 countries. [15]
The environmental movement in Albania is represented by around 100 environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It consists of local and national NGOs. Less than 40 NGOs are active due to lack of funding and barriers in influencing the decision makers. The main environmental organizations in Albania are Ekolëvizja, Institute for Environmental Policy in Albania, Regional Environmental Center in Albania, EDEN Center, and Millieukontakt Albania.
