In the Western Balkans, heating based on fossil fuels is making air pollution worse and is also the source of half of greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable and affordable heating systems based on renewables are no fantasy. They operate successfully in other parts of Europe, and can be implemented in the Western Balkans if decision makers start acting now.
After one year of negotiations, at the beginning of April, the European Commission finally endorsed the sixth and final version of Bulgaria’s recovery plan. According to the Commission, nearly 60 per cent of the projects included in the plan support the green transition of the country, which is the highest percentage among all the recovery plans approved so far.
Amid the possibility of disruptions to Russian fossil gas supply to the EU, CEE governments appear short-sighted on both energy transition and energy security.
How to win energy sovereignty and avoid a gas trap in Poland
April 11, 2022 | Read more
Poland’s energy policy has to change urgently in the face of the war in Ukraine. EU funds must finance Poland’s transformation for energy security and sustainability. There is no return to the business as usual when it comes to energy policy.
The REK Bitola mining and energy complex in North Macedonia is one of Europe’s most lethal polluters – but, despite local protests, and clear evidence of its harm, the authorities have yet to act.
It’s never been clearer that Bulgaria’s dependence on Russian energy needs to be cut right now.
