1
1.1
Albania
Policy and legal framework
Albania published the Second National Communication for Albania in 2009 and it includes a
vulnerability assessment and adaptation options for the Drini River Cascade due to its importance for
hydroelectricity generation. The current climate, future climate change and sectoral impacts for
water resources, agriculture, forestry, energy tourism and human health. Finally there is a list of
projects for adapting to climate change and a short list of these are proposed for financing. Albania is
currently working on its Third National Communication.
According to “South east European Climate Change Framework Action Plan for Adaptation” an
Intersectorial Action Plan on Adaptation for the period 2008 – 2011 was developed and this included
a table of proposed adaptation policies and measures. (Also see Annex 5.1.)
There are also initiatives by sector in the Climate Change Adaptation in South Eastern Europe A
Background
Report.
http://www.unep.at/documents_unep/ENVSEC/Climate_Change/CCSEEFinal.pdf (Also see Annex 5.2).
1.2
Impact, vulnerability and adaptation information and assessments
There was no trend in average air temperatures during the period 1961–90, however there has been
an increase in average temperature over the past 15 years. The total annual precipitation has
decreased slightly. Observed sea surface temperature in the western Mediterranean showed a slight
warming over the past 15 years. Observed climate extremes show that floods accounted for the major
share of disaster events (32 %), followed by extreme temperature (10 %), windstorm (10 %), drought
(5 %), and landslides (5 %). The incidence of climate related disasters accounted for the major share
of disaster events (62 %).
According to the climate scenarios for Albania, developed within the 2nd NC, milder winters, warmer
springs, hotter and drier summers and drier autumns are likely to be expected. A dramatic increase in
temperature (+4.0°C to +7.3°C) is projected for summer according to the high-resolution regional
climate projections SRES A2 scenarios were provided by the Hadley Centre, UK for the project
"Climate Change Projection for South Eastern Europe”, WB. Within the South East European
Climate Change Framework Action Plan for Adaptation report. http://www.seevccc.rs/CCFAPA/CCFAP-A.pdf. The projections show a decrease in annual precipitation and a drastic decrease in
summer precipitation (~40%). Sea level rise of between 30–45 cm is projected by 2100 for the
Adriatic Sea.
According to the 2nd NC the projected change in climate extremes show more hot days and heat
waves are very likely in almost the entire territory of Albania. There are likely to be more frequent
and severe droughts with greater fire risk. An increase in the wind speed is expected for the 2080s. A
decreased number of frost days (temperatures ≤–5°C) in high altitudes is likely to occur. Owing to
higher average temperatures in winter more precipitation is likely to fall in the form of rain rather
than snow, and this will increase both soil moisture and run-off. Although total precipitation is
expected to decrease, the number of days with heavy precipitation is likely to increase resulting in
greater risks of soil erosion and landslides.
The Second National Communication also includes some sectoral impacts including for:
Water Resources: Increases in temperatures and decreases in precipitation (combined with higher
evaporation) would probably result in a lower river flow by up to 40%.
Agriculture: Drought could be a major concern in the future. The total growing season may be
reduced for some crops due to temperature increase. The length of the grain-filling period
particularly for spring cereals could shorten and cereal harvest dates would occur sooner. Lack of
cold days during winter could lengthen the growing season for winter wheat. Higher temperatures
will be probably beneficial to grasslands, early in the season through increased early biomass
1
production but during the summer may decrease the growth of grass. The risk of crop damage from
pests and diseases is likely to increase under a warming of climate.
Forestry: In general, evergreen species and oak forests are expected to expand, while the area of
beech forests that are more important for production of wood would reduce. Common spruce forest
(Picetum) is expected to disappear by 2025 while the alpine pasture on the top of high mountains
would be reduced tenfold in size (from over 20% of forest area to 2%).
Biodiversity and coastal areas: The low lying coastal National parks of Kune-Vain (Lezha District)
and Velipoja (Shkodra District) are at risk of sea level rise and the coastal forest area (Lezha coast) is
likely to decrease in area by 2100. Lagoons are likely to expand resulting in an increase in their
holding capacity for migratory birds and a change the range of species. A change in water fauna and
flora in favour of species that like more warmth and salinity is likely.
Energy: Rising temperatures, changes of the amount of precipitation, and variation in humidity,
wind patterns, and the number of sunny days per year could affect both consumption and production
of energy in the whole Drini River Area (DRA). In terms of energy consumption space heating
demand for households is likely to reduce, while cooling energy demand is likely to increase. In
terms of energy production there is likely to be a reduction in hydroelectricity generation by 2025, in
contrast the increase in the hours of sunshine will lead to an increase of solar energy generation.
Coastal areas and tourism: The increase in temperature during summertime, may direct tourism
towards the mountains or the lakes, instead of the beaches. Coastal tourism would be better during
spring and autumn. However, coastal tourism is expected to suffer consequences of sea level rise for
example at Shengjin. Many newer coastal settlement are on reclaimed land that are continuously
threatened by flooding due to sea level increase or rivers overflowing.
Health: An increase of frequency and intensity of heat-waves could lead to additional summer heat
related cardiovascular and respiratory deaths. Also, an increase of extreme precipitation events could
aggravate current problems for water related diseases, accidents and injuries. Albania is subject to
potential disease outbreaks of tropical origin such as Chikungunya, dengue and other diseases. The
2nd NC also states that climate change will further aggravate air quality related health problems in the
major cities of Albania, but in particular in Tirana.
Disaster Risk Reduction: Increased frequency of extraordinary events (heavy rains, strong winds,
droughts, flooding) might have a great influence in the settlement and tourist infrastructures.
Climate Services/Met Office
The key institution that conducts systemic observation of weather and climate is the Institute of
Hydrometeorology Albania (today merged into the Institute of Water, Energy and Environment of
the Polytechnic University of Tirana), that maintains a national monitoring network, consisting of a
meteorological network (165 stations) and a hydrological network (107 stations).
The Institute of Water, Energy and Environment of the Polytechnic University of Tirana is the main
research institution that is regularly conducting basic and applied scientific studies related to climate
change. Currently their main activities are vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. Climate
change related research is also conducted at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University in
Tirana and at some other Academia related centres.
Additional information on climate variability and change, the related impacts and vulnerabilities, and
some adaptation possibilities can also be found in the following documents:
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/albnc2.pdf
http://www.seeclimateforum.org/upload/document/regional_cva_synthesis_report_final.pdf
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/drr/projects/SEE/documents/SEEPhase%20I%20%20FinalReport.pdf
1.3
Priority sectors for adaptation action
The following actions are proposed in the 2nd National Communication
2

Coastal areas
• Construction of a series of dams parallel and perpendicular to the coastal line and refilling
• Supplying the sea with the sediments to restore beaches (example Sochi/Batumi, Black Sea)
• Building with “nature” techniques

Agriculture
• Land operations (leveling, terracing)
• Conserving moisture (irrigation, adjustment of sowing dates etc.)

Livestock
• Microclimate in farmhouses
• Disease control.

Fisheries
• Warning system for abnormal phytoplankton blooms
• Tests for toxins in shell species

Forestry
• Increasing the area of the protected forest zones to protect biodiversity.
• Preparation of management plans to conserve biodiversity, taking into account the likely impacts of
climate change.
• Optimum Land Use Planning considering the impacts of climate change.
• Likely erosion extension and ways to combat it.

Health
• Health information system (alert information system).
• Civil emergency preparedness at all levels of health care system
• Improvement of the potable water and urban waste water infrastructure coupled with the
strengthening of the monitoring capacities.
In addition, the following projects are underway in priority sectors:
Coastal areas: The Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Clean-up Project for Albania is
designed to set-up and initiate an integrated coastal zone management approach to reduce coastal
degradation and is funded by the World Bank from 2005-2012. The Identification of adaptation
response measures in the Drini - Mati River Deltas is funded by the UNDP from 2008-2012.
Biodiversity/Transboundary: The project Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Prespa Lakes
Basin of Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece was funded by the UNDP
from 2006-2011. The project aimed to catalyse the adoption of integrated ecosystem management
(IEM) in the trans-boundary Prespa Lakes Basin to conserve globally significant biodiversity,
mitigate pollution of the trans-boundary lakes, and provide a sustainable basis for the Basin’s further
social and economic development.
DRR: The Albania Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Project (AL-DRMAP) aims to
strengthen institutional capacities: (a) to reduce Albania’s vulnerability to natural and manmade
hazards; and (b) to limit human, economic, and financial losses due to these disasters and is funded
by the World Bank from 2008-2012.
Sustainable Development: The “One UN Environment Pillar” programme aims to accelerate the
achievement of environmentally sustainable development in Albania (MDG-7) by integrating the
principles of sustainable development into national and local policies and programmes, observing the
commitments EU Environment Requirements Programme. Funded by the UNDP from 2010-2013.
3
1.4
Local action
Tirana is part of a German funded project looking at adaptation in cities in the West Balkans. An
assessment of the impacts and vulnerability of Tirana has been made and adaptation measures for
heat and drought, urban air quality (issues linked to forest fire) and water related issues are
suggested. The project is on-going with a view to assisting with implementation. (GIZ 2012).
1.5
Summary table
Item
National
Strategy
Status
Web links
German)
(information
only
in
Adaptation
Action Plans
Being developed http://www.seevccc.rs/CCFAPA/CCFAP-A.pdf
Impacts, vulnerability and Currently being http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/albn
adaptation assessments
undertaken
c2.pdf
Research programs
Climate Services / Met
Office
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/drr/proj
ects/SEE/documents/SEEPhase%20I%2
0-%20FinalReport.pdf
Web Portal
Monitoring,
Methodologies
Indicators,
2nd
National Submitted
Communication on the UN
Framework Convention on
Climate Change
1.6
2009
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/albn
c2.pdf
3rd NC in progress (UNDP)
Contact details
Please provide an official contact name and organization for the Ministry with responsibility for
Climate Change Adaptation…………
1.7
Gaps in knowledge
The 2nd NC identifies the availability of data as an area for improvement and in particular the need
for a network of automatic meteorological stations, a network of automatic hydrological stations,
monitoring of the sea and shoreline, modernization of hydraulic laboratories and the use of satellite
remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
An
assessment
of
the
requirements
for
Disaster
Risk
Reduction
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/drr/projects/SEE/documents/SEEPhase%20I%20%20FinalReport.pdf highlighted the following:
(WMO)
There is a need for better co-ordination between the organisations in the Albanian hydrometeorological sector (National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (NMHS) of Albania and
the Institute of Environment, Water and Energy (IEWE).
There is a need to establish and invest in fully operational 24/7 hydrometeorological services
(technical and human resources) to support risk assessment and early warning systems and promote
4
operational monitoring, warning, forecasting and mapping of meteorological, hydrological and
climate-related hazards.
It is critical to assess the existing institutional and legislative arrangements for hydrometeorological
services, upgrade and modernize hydro-meteorological observation networks, data management and
forecasting systems and provide sustainable organizational, human and technical resources to
maintain and operate them.
It is also necessary to strengthen the early warning capacity with a multi-hazard approach and
enhanced cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Civil Emergencies and
other key stakeholders and the National Civil Emergencies Plan, to include contributions by the
hydro-meteorological services;
There is a need to Develop Risk Assessment, MHEWS and other capacities to support national risk
management could also benefit from regional coordination and cooperation, leveraging expertise,
capacities, resources and information across the region among IPA beneficiaries and with various
regional centres in Europe.
There is a need





1.8
to develop a climate data management system;
to develop the technical capacities for climate change projections downscaling to local scales;
to develop climate change impact studies in cooperation with DRR, industry and other sectors;
for economic assessments of adaptation; and
for monitoring of progress or possibly an appraisal of effectiveness/efficiency of adaptation.
References
ENVSEC, UNEP. 2013. Climate Change Adaptation in South Eastern Europe A Background Report.
http://www.unep.at/documents_unep/ENVSEC/Climate_Change/CCSEE-Final.pdf
GIZ 2012. Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas in the Western Balkans: Feasibility study,
Abridged report.
Republic of Albania, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration. 2009. 2nd
National Communication to UNFCCC.
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/albnc2.pdf
SEEFCCA. 2012. Regional Climate Vulnerability Assessment: Synthesis report.
http://www.seeclimateforum.org/upload/document/regional_cva_synthesis_report_final.pdf
SEE/VCCC, REC, RHMSS. 2008. South East European Climate Change Framework Action Plan for
Adaptation.
http://www.seevccc.rs/CCFAP-A/CCFAP-A.pdf
WMO. 2012. Strengthening Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems and Risk Assessment in the
Western Balkans and Turkey: Assessment of capacities, gaps and needs.
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/drr/projects/SEE/documents/SEEPhase%20I%20%20FinalReport.pdf
Further reading:
Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into development planning: A guide for
practitioners. 2011, UNDP-UNEP
http://www.unep.org/climatechange/adaptation/InformationMaterials/Publications/Publicatio
n/tabid/6712/Default.aspx?ID=6202
Ecosystem-based adaptation guidance, moving from principles to practice. Draft 2012
UNEP
http://www.unep.org/climatechange/adaptation/EcosystemBasedAdaptation/EBADecisionSupportFramework/tabid/102163/Default.aspx
5
The
economics
of
climate
change
adaptation
2009,
UNEP
.
http://www.unep.org/climatechange/adaptation/EconomicsandFinance/Economicsofclimatec
hangeadaptation/tabid/29586/Default.aspx
6