TRATOLOW: Ministerial Conference on Climate Transition for the Western Balkans and Turkey
Environment and climate ministers and other high-level representatives from the Western Balkans, Turkey and the EU will meet in Vienna from 31 May to 1 June 2022 to discuss climate protection, energy transition and adaptation to climate change in the region. The meeting is organized by the Austrian Ministry of Climate Protection, the Directorate-General for Climate Policy (European Commission) and the Umwelbundesamt, the Environment Agency Austria, within the framework of the TRATOLOW project.
Through the TRATOLOW – Transition towards lower emissions and climate resilient economy in the Western Balkans and in Turkey – project, the European Commission/Directorate-General for Climate Policy is supporting Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey in their climate transition. At the TRATOLOW Ministerial Conference from 31 May to 1 June 2022, the agenda will include climate change mitigation and adaptation, its financing, energy efficiency and energy independence, and EU taxonomy.
At the conference, the ministers and experts will also exchange views on the state of implementation of the EU's "Fit for 55"-package. This package provides the legal framework for a climate-neutral Europe in 2050 and includes a series of proposals to help reduce the EU's emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990.
“In Austria, the Western Balkans, Turkey and around the world, we are massively affected by the impact of the climate crisis. The dependency on fossil fuels is still high. It prevents the path to a climate-friendly future. Especially now, it is all the more important to ensure more climate protection and independence and to focus on key issues such as adaptation to climate change, energy efficiency and energy independence. With the "Fit for 55"-package, we are strengthening international efforts to fight the climate crisis together with our neighboring countries and are working together towards a climate-neutral future," says Federal Minister for Climate Action Leonore Gewessler.
The "Fit for 55" package makes the Western Balkan countries and Turkey fit for achieving the climate targets, for resource-efficient economic management and for their convergence with the European Union.
"The "Fit for 55" package makes the Western Balkan countries and Turkey fit for achieving the climate targets, for resource-efficient economic management and for their convergence with the European Union," explains Environment Agency Austria´s managing Director Georg Rebernig. "The ministerial conference in Vienna is a strong signal for the common European goal of climate neutrality."
TRATOLOW: Together towards climate neutrality
In the TRATOLOW project, a network of experts led by the Environment Agency Austria and the project partner NIRAS has been supporting the Western Balkan countries and Turkey in the development of a low-emission, resource-efficient and climate-friendly economy since October 2021. The aim is to create framework conditions for the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and the development of a climate-neutral economy, as well as to strengthen regional cooperation. This cooperation is financed by the European Commission.
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.
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* 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.
