TRATOLOW: Important steps
Environment Agency Austria leads EU-funded project for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in the Western Balkans and in Turkey.
With the project TRATOLOW –Transition towards lower emissions and climate resilient economy in the Western Balkans and in Turkey – the European Commission/Directorate-General for Climate Action supports the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation. With the help of a European consortium headed by the Environment Agency Austria, the aim is to promote a resource-efficient, low-emission and climate-resilient economy in the EU accession countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Macedonia, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. With the beginning of spring 2021, the first Steering Committee Meeting with the representatives of the Directorate-General for Climate Policy (DG CLIMA) and the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey took place. The meeting focused on previous results of the countries' climate policies and the work program for the next three years.
Implementation of the Paris Agreement in the Western Balkans and Turkey
Top priority of the project is capacity building for the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement and the development of a climate neutral economy, as well as strengthening regional cooperation. Through the Tratolow project, the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey will benefit from the experience of EU countries in implementing climate targets and will be able to draw on expertise from EU member states in implementing best practices. By promoting the exchange of information within the regions and between the Western Balkan countries, further positive synergies for climate protection are to be released.
TRATOLOW = Transition towards lower emissions and climate resilient economy
In order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, the EU climate and energy policy contains a number of regulations and strategies with different targets for the period 2030–2050. With the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, the EU also wants to involve the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey in these efforts from the very beginning.
The TRATOLOW project is funded by the European Commission and provides the relevant authorities and their stakeholders with a network of experts, led by the Environment Agency Austria and supported by the project partner NIRAS, for a period of three years since October 2020. The cooperation will pay special attention to the current state of preparation for EU accession of the Western Balkan countries and Turkey and all legal, technical and institutional aspects.
Environment Agency Austria in a nutshell
The Environment Agency Austria is Austria’s most important environmental expert institution and a leading adviser on environmental matters in Europe. The Environment Agency Austria stands for a transformation of the economy and society to ensure sustainable living. Our experts provide the basis for decision making at local, regional, European and international level.
The Environment Agency Austria has a demonstrable track record of successful projects in more than 60 countries – from the new EU Member States to the Western Balkans, the Middle East, the Maghreb countries and Asia. The Environment Agency Austria works as an adviser to UN and EU institutions and as a partner in more than 200 national, European and international networks, bodies, and working groups.
Links:
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and it is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
