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The Civil Society and Think Tank Forum (CSF) within the framework of the Berlin Process will be held on October 14-15 in Tirana. The main objective of the FSB is to facilitate constructive and inclusive discussions on regional challenges. The forum is structured around seven thematic working groups, each led by civil society organizations from the region. These working groups actively engaged in a comprehensive consultation process, involving civil society and regional experts, to collaboratively formulate policy recommendations.
During the Civil Society Forum in Tirana, experts from the region will have the opportunity to discuss the topic of energy and the region’s energy transition. As part of the CSF, the Thematic Working Group led by the Renewable Energy and Environment Regulatory Institute (RERI) has developed recommendations related to two key areas of action: the rule of law and the transition fair and inclusive energy.
Mirko Popovicthe director of RERI, explains for European Western Balkans that the Treaty establishing the Energy Community expires in 2026, and that it is necessary to consider extending the Treaty on the basis of a report on its implementation, which will also include recommendations to overcome the challenges encountered by the Energy Community and the signatory parties during the previous period.
“The European Commission should prepare a report for the European Parliament and the Council. The previous report was published in 2011. It is necessary to ensure an appropriate response to violations of the Treaty by Western Balkan countries, i.e. to establish mechanisms to enforce the Treaty and prevent pollution , human rights violations and unauthorized state aid,” Popović said. .
It adds that civil society organizations recommend a greater role for the European Parliament and national parliaments in discussions on the extension of the treaty, aimed at strengthening the democratic capacity and accountability of all signatory parties in the implementation of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community.
By 2030, Western Balkan countries are expected to make many decisions to align more closely with EU decarbonization standards and targets. These commitments were made by countries in the region when they adopted the Green Agenda, a regional development strategy aimed at addressing the challenges of climate change and the green transition. It also aims to help the Western Balkans align their environmental regulations with European norms and standards.
However, Popović emphasizes that after almost 20 years of implementation of the Energy Community Treaty, the region’s problems are almost the same as in 2006. He recalls that the United Nations General Assembly recognized the right to a healthy and sustainable environment as a human right. RIGHT.
According to Popović, there are significant differences in the energy sector between countries in the region, but there are also many common challenges. He explains that highly dependent economies and coal-based electricity generation have faced difficulties in implementing the Large Combustion Plants Directive and the Industrial Emissions Directive, making it difficult to reduction of pollution from thermal power plants.
The Western Balkans’ energy transition must be fair and inclusive
“This has resulted in a situation where countries are violating their international obligations (the Energy Community Treaty), thereby putting the health and human rights of their citizens and those of the EU at risk. Within the Energy Community, there has been no appropriate response to contract violations by the signatory parties. Respect for the rule of law is a crucial issue in the energy transition and at the same time constitutes an essential precondition for the Western Balkan countries to join the EU,” believes Mirko Popović from RERI.
Nevertheless, Popović emphasizes that the region’s energy transition must be fair and inclusive, taking into account the problem of extreme energy poverty and addressing the challenges faced by the most vulnerable groups and regions economically dependent on exploitation. coal.
“Energy poverty is a problem that hinders and prevents the decarbonization of the Western Balkans region. Therefore, the decarbonization process must encompass three key features: democratization, demonopolization and decentralization, mainly in electricity production, with an active role for households and businesses as producers and consumers of electricity. , explains Popović.
Speaking about the role of the EU in developing the region’s capabilities in this area, Popović believes that the EU integration process is the main driver of change in the region, which makes the role of the EU crucial.
He said the EU should facilitate the gradual inclusion of the Western Balkans into the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), adding that this would be a clear indicator of the countries’ prospects for membership. from the Western Balkans to the EU.
“An important prerequisite for the region’s inclusion in the ETS is the establishment of a regulatory framework and effective implementation of monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions in each of the Western Balkan countries,” emphasizes Popović.
According to him, the EU must provide the necessary conditions for emissions trading for the region, with guarantees that financial resources will be used to increase renewable energy production capacity and reduce pollution from thermal power plants. .
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