Environmental & Energy Legal Compliance Group (EELCG)

? What’s Happening with the Deposit Return System (DRS) in Kosovo? The Administrative Instruction No. 07/2023 on packaging and packaging waste, in force since 2023, had foreseen the implementation of the Deposit Return System (DRS) starting from January 1, 2025. However, this legal deadline has now passed and the DRS is still not operational. This delay raises serious concerns about the full implementation of this regulation, especially in a sector crucial for waste management and environmental protection. ? ?far? po ndodh me Sistemin e Rikthimit t? Depozit?s (SRD) n? Kosov?? Udh?zimi Administrativ Nr. 07/2023 p?r ambalazhin dhe mbeturinat e ambalazhit, n? fuqi q? nga viti 2023, kishte parapar? fillimin e zbatimit t? Sistemit t? Rikthimit t? Depozit?s (SRD) m? 1 janar 2025. Megjithat?, tanim? ky afat juridik ?sht? tejkaluar dhe SRD ende nuk ?sht? funksionalizuar. Kjo vones? ngre shqet?sime serioze mbi zbatimin e plot? t? k?tij Udh?zimi, ve?an?risht n? nj? sektor ky? p?r menaxhimin e mbeturinave dhe mbrojtjen e mjedisit. ?

On 22 January 2025, the District Court of The Hague delivered its landmark judgment in the class action case Greenpeace Nederland v. the Dutch State. The court found that the Dutch State acted unlawfully by failing to halt the deterioration of nitrogen-sensitive habitats and not adhering to statutory nitrogen targets. In a decisive ruling, the court ordered the Dutch State to comply with the 2030 statutory nitrogen target, mandating a 50% reduction in national nitrogen emissions by the end of 2030. Failure to meet this target would result in a penalty payment of €10 million. In contrast, the Kosovo Law on Climate Change does not even address specific emissions reduction targets. This lack of clear statutory obligations makes it difficult for parties to seek material relief or ensure meaningful reductions in national emissions. Establishing legally binding targets would be a crucial step for Kosovo in strengthening its climate governance and aligning with international standards.

Ceremonia P?rmbyll?se e projektit - “Promovimi i Qasjes Universale n? Uj? t? Past?r” PANELI 2: Aspektet Institucionale dhe Rregullative n? Sektorin e Uj?rave ?? Njihuni me panelist?t: 1. Afrim Lajqi - Ekspert i Uj?rave 2. Afrim Berisha - Agjensioni p?r Mbrojtjen e Mjedisit n? Kosov? 3. Visar Morina - Ekspert i Legjislacionit Mjedisor N? k?t? panel do t? trajtohen ??shtjet ky?e q? lidhen me kuadrin institucional dhe rregullativ n? sektorin e uj?rave n? Kosov?. Diskutimi do t? ndri?oj? sfidat dhe mund?sit? p?r p?rmir?simin e qeverisjes s? uj?rave, me fokus n? politikat dhe rregulloret q? ndihmojn? n? mbrojtjen dhe menaxhimin e resurseve ujore. Kjo ngjarje p?rkrahet nga Zyra e Bashkimit Evropian n? Kosov? dhe ekzekutohet nga Rilindja Gjelb?r. ** PANEL 2: Institutional and Regulatory Aspects in the Water Sector ?? Meet the Panelists: 1. Afrim Lajqi - Water Expert 2. Afrim Berisha - Environmental Protection Agency of Kosovo 3. Visar Morina - Environmental Legislation Expert This panel will focus on the key institutional and regulatory aspects of the water sector in Kosovo. The discussion will highlight the challenges and opportunities in improving water governance, with an emphasis on policies and regulations that contribute to protecting and managing water resources effectively. This event is supported by European Union in Kosovo and executed by Rilindja Gjelb?r.

?? Landmark Decision on Climate Action ?? The High Court in South Africa has made a groundbreaking ruling, halting the development of new coal-fired power plants. This decision underscores the growing global recognition of the need to prioritize public health and environmental sustainability over economic and infrastructure development. Courts have a critical role in holding policymakers accountable to safeguard our planet for future generations. #EnvironmentalLaw #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EnergyTransition https://lnkd.in/dkdFm4ek

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to commence public hearings on December 2, 2024, to deliberate on the legal obligations of states concerning climate change. This initiative seeks to clarify countries' responsibilities in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and the potential legal consequences for failing to protect the environment. https://lnkd.in/dnCbXWAZ

?? 2024 European Commission Progress Report on Kosovo: Environment and Climate Change Here are some key points raised by the European Commission’s latest report on Kosovo on environment and climate issues: ?? Strategic Action & Legislation: Further efforts are needed to update and adopt strategies and action plans in line with the Green Agenda and the Energy Community’s Decarbonisation Roadmap. ?? Air Quality: Despite some progress, air quality remains a significant health issue due to delays in implementing pollution control measures. ?? Pending Policies: The Strategy for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development for 2022-2033 has yet to be adopted. ?? Noise Legislation: No alignment progress with EU noise standards was made. ?? Industrial Emissions: Substantial work is needed to comply with the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, ensuring proper enforcement and monitoring. ??? Greenhouse Gas Tracking: Kosovo must develop frameworks for monitoring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas emissions, including mechanisms for carbon pricing to align with the EU emissions trading system. #ECProgressReport #Kosovo #ClimateChange #Sustainability #EnvironmentalProtection

The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is the EU's tool to put a?fair price on the carbon emitted?during the production of carbon intensive goods that are entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.? By confirming that a price has been paid for the embedded carbon emissions generated in the production of certain goods imported into the EU, the CBAM will ensure the carbon price of imports is equivalent to the carbon price of domestic production, and that the EU's climate objectives are not undermined. CBAM will apply in its definitive regime from 2026, while the current transitional phase lasts between 2023 and 2025. This gradual introduction of the CBAM is aligned with the phase-out of the allocation of free allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to support the decarbonisation of EU industry. https://lnkd.in/esp5UM2b

The UK is about to stop producing any electricity from burning coal - ending its 142-year reliance on the fossil fuel. Let's celebrate the last coal plant closing - and let's not stop here. The next step is to move away from gas and phase out fossil fuels completely. Read the story: https://lnkd.in/eZ4cJDts

The recent site visit to the #SelacWindFarm provided a valuable insight into green energy applications in Kosovo. I have been fortunate to work with a fantastic team of lecturers, including Visar Morina from the University of Prishtina and experts from Recura and Environmental Consulting Team. I also want to extend my gratitude to our implementing partners: Let's Do It Peja, Balkan Green Foundation, 7 Arte, and EC Ma Ndryshe for their commitment, active participation, and valuable feedback. #EECSOK team and its partners are now looking forward to our next visit in the Sharr Mountains, which is coming up soon.

A representative from the EELCG is attending a Panel Discussion on the National Energy and Climate Plan organized by the Balkan Green Foundation. This important event brought together key stakeholders from both governmental and non-governmental sectors to provide concrete recommendations on the draft National Energy and Climate Plan. The Plan is a critical strategic document aimed at implementing effective legal and administrative measures for de-carbonization and enhancing the use of renewable energy in Kosovo. EELCG is committed to supporting policies that promote sustainable energy and combat climate change through legal solutions. #EELCG #ClimateAction #RenewableEnergy #Decarbonization #EnergyPolicy #Sustainability #BalkanEnergy