Publicación: Air Quality Management in the Western Balkans

https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/8cdc091d-f1bf-49ab-9229-684808ecf27a The Western Balkans have achieved steady economic growth over the past decade, but this progress has been accompanied by significant environmental challenges, particularly air pollution. The region remains highly carbon intensive, with widespread reliance on coal, solid fuels for residential heating, outdated industrial assets, and aging transport fleets. Air pollution imposes substantial public health and economic costs, with particulate matter concentrations exceeding recommended levels across many cities. Residential heating is the primary source of fine particulate pollution, while industry and transport also contribute significantly. Despite a strong evidence base on pollution sources, the most significant obstacles to cleaner air are institutional, including weak governance, fragmented coordination, insufficient financing, and limited enforcement. The report highlights the need for coordinated regional and national action, strengthened implementation of EU air quality standards, targeted hotspot-based interventions, and greater integration of air quality and climate policies. It emphasizes that achieving cleaner air will require stronger institutions, sustainable financing, regional cooperation on transboundary pollution, and a shift from planning to effective implementation to improve public health, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability.