Kosovo – EC Library Guide on Country Knowledge: Selected publications

Selected international publications

Circular economy roadmap of Kosovo
Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, March 2023.
The global surge in resource extraction and processing has reached unprecedented levels, resulting in significant greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. This necessitates a transition towards a circular economy to mitigate these impacts. Kosovo faces substantial environmental challenges, including pollution and biodiversity loss, exacerbated by climate change. However, Kosovo’s commitment to addressing these issues is evident in the signing of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.
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The Kosovo Climate Change Council advocates for decarbonization beyond the energy sector, emphasising the potential for climate mitigation in other industries. The Circular Economy Roadmap launch marks Kosovo’s shift towards a sustainable economic model, aiming for resource efficiency, environmental health, and economic resilience. With a vision for a green, healthy, and prosperous future, Kosovo seeks to leverage its natural and human resources for continuous sustainable development. The Circular Economy Roadmap identifies key transition areas, demonstrating Kosovo’s potential to drive transformative change.
Energy strategy of the Republic of Kosovo 2022-2031
Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Ministry of Economy, 2023.

The new strategy is designed to enable the Kosovo energy sector to serve as a vehicle for the country’s economic growth and increased business and employment opportunities.
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This strategy is significant in that it:
1. Moves beyond the possibility of building any new lignite capacities
2. Introduces carbon pricing in keeping with the EU mandates
3. Foresees an ambitious deployment of renewable energy sources, specifically wind and solar PV
Exploring climate change challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a carbon neutral economy in Kosovo
United Nations Development Programme. Septembre 2022.
UNDP Kosovo commissioned this research, including a Public Pulse survey, to explore people’s perceptions about the climate change challenges that Kosovo faces, and about possibilities and initiatives for transitioning to a carbon neutral economy. The topic is approached from the perspectives of Kosovo’s central institutions, businesses, civil society organizations and general public. The study also provides details on people’s knowledge and attitudes towards climate change and decarbonization. The analysis can be used as an input by Kosovo institutions in drafting environmental and climate policies and in addressing challenges related to climate change.
UN Secretary-General’s Reports on Kosovo
S/2023/735. Security council report. 2023.
These periodic reports cover political and security developments in Kosovo, with a focus on the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and the progress toward normalization of relations. The latest report from October 2023 provides updates on the situation.
Western Balkans Competitiveness Outlook 2024: Kosovo, Competitiveness and Private Sector Development
OECD Publishing, 2024.
Inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the six Western Balkan (WB6) economies depends on greater economic competitiveness. Although the gap is closing gradually, the standards of living in WB6 are well below those of the OECD and EU. Accelerating the rate of socio-economic convergence will require a holistic and growth oriented approach to policy making.
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This is the fourth study of the region (formerly under the title 'Competitiveness in South East Europe') and it comprehensively assesses policy reforms in the WB6 economies across 15 policy areas key to strengthening their competitiveness. It enables WB6 economies to compare economic performance against regional peers, as well as EU-OECD good practices and standards, and to design future policies based on rich evidence and actionable policy recommendations. The regional profile presents assessment findings across five policy clusters crucial to accelerating socio-economic convergence of the WB6 by fostering regional co-operation: business environment, skills, infrastructure and connectivity, digital transformation and greening. Economy-specific profiles complement the regional assessment, offering each WB6 economy an in-depth analysis of their policies supporting competitiveness. They also track the implementation of the previous 2021 study's recommendations and provide additional ones tailored to the economies’ evolving challenges. These recommendations aim to inform structural economic reforms and facilitate the region’s socio-economic convergence towards the standards of the EU and OECD.