by Cristina


On Wednesday 20th May the Institute for Environmental Policy took part in a citizen’s forum on climate change organized by the French Embassy at the University of Korça. Apart from the University’s students, this event was attended by a fair number of countrymen and farmers aged between 60 and 80 years. During this forum, different aspects of the effects and impact of climate change in Albania were illustrated by several experts, which were pretty much contested, together with the French authorities, by Korça’s inhabitants. The local people were dissociating themselves from climate change as a global issue caused first of all by industrialized countries such as France. Although the individualist attitude of these people could be contested, the passion they stood for their opinions with is remarkable, as well as their participation in the citizens’ forum itself. As a conclusion, it could be said that this event has been a great opportunity for the local people to meet policy makers and CC experts and to share their point of view, by representing at the same time a great occasion of democratic debate.

(permited by Mrs. Alisa Peci)

In the frame of the COP 21 – United Nations Conference on Climate Change to be held in Paris in December 2015,
French Embassy in Albania and the University of Korca, organized jointly with the German Technical Cooperation through GIZ and environmental NGO, the Institute for Environmental Policy,
organize a Citizen’s Forum on the topic of climate change.
On this occasion, several topics will be discussed by scientific researchers of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Korca and farmers in the region of Korca to a civic awareness.

Address: Fakulteti i Bujqësisë, Universiteti i Korcës “Fan S. Noli”,
Salla 221, Kati i 2-të
E Enjte, 20 Maj 2015
Ora 10h00
E hapur për të gjithë
Hyrja Falas

invitation: Forum Qytetar per Ndryshimet Klimatike Korce 20 Maj 2015

Endri Haxhiraj, Edvin Pacara, Institute for Environmental Policy
Translated by Kledina Skendo, Volunteer IEP

The anxiety for the next Mayor of Tirana of 2015-2019 mandates began before the official campaign. This is because the largest municipality in the country will include also the communes with significant populations as Farka, Kashari, Dajtit etc.
Because in these elections the subject is to increase the welfare of inhabitants, the expectations of voters are maximal. This year, residents want to improve the quality of their lives and children. For this reason, the Institute for Environmental Policy addresses to the candidates for mayor of Tirana, 10 environmental issues that have increased sensitivity to residents of Tirana and requiring faster solutions.
Besides environmental pollution or threat to public health, these issues constitute the everyday concerns of residents turned into anxiety and stress:

1. Resolving the issue of parking in Tirana by building parking lots with floors below and above ground. Few parking spaces of Tirana can not be occupied by private individuals to issue profit or depreciated cars;
2. The management of stray dogs through sterilization and release. Residents want the dogs to be cured and managed but not be killed;
3. Greening of Tirana and especially the suburb e.g., opening new spaces with green areas between residential centers, promoting the establishment of plants in terraces, as well as the free use of land in the city to create public parks;
4. A proper management of waste by inserting separate waste collection, education and the obligation of inhabitants to share the remains before they throw them, and close cooperation with recycling business;
5. Creating adequate routes for bicycle because many residents keep their bicycles locked at home and are forced to use the car on security issues, bicycle routes should take precedence and be connected with each other and extend all over the city;
6. Make drinking water available more hours a day and improve infrastructure for residents to save on buying it with bottles, while the water in the source is qualitative, reducing waste and the production of plastic from plastic bottles of water;
7. Creating spaces for recreations e.g., playgrounds for children, for the elderly etc. Children today play football in the streets of neighborhoods, endangering their lifes or damage the vehicles parked there. Municipality should put in the construction permission the obligation for the companies that builds the palace, to construct an open playground angle for children within the territory of the palace;
8. Measures against flooding from the rain in the city or near rivers, paving the bed covered with garbage from the Tirana river and return it at the previous bed which was wide, with gravel that does not cause flooding;
9. Continuous demarcation of the roads, adjusting the lighting, lids of manholes and traffic lights when they break down, to ensure more for the pedestrian life;
10. Education of children with love for the nature and integrating community work in all city schools the idea of gardens and greenhouses for flowers and vegetables.

We think that these suggestions if they were realized would have immediate impact on improving the quality of life in Tirana and will open the chapter of the city’s sustainable development.

The project “Developing Sustainable Water Management Practices to Conserve Environmental Flow in Ohrid Lake Region” is being implemented by the Institute for Environmental Policy (IEP) in Pogradec District. The project focuses on a sustainable water management strategy since Lake Ohrid and surrounding area are part of the key biodiversity area in the Balkan region.
For this reason, IEP invite you to watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02W68Oug2sI

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The population growth trend will lead to increased meat consumption. According to FAO in developing countries where Albania is well positioned, meat consumption will go from 28 kg per person in 2002 to 44 kg in 2050.
However, today it is estimated that agriculture is an important contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are a global problem ëithout boundaries.
To achieve mitigation actions, the life cycle analysis of farming and agriculture, animals, soil and plants is required. The faster accessible technologies that are recommended for reducing the emission of methane gas (CH4) from agricultural animals are through diet.

In the case of Albania, arson common practice in agricultural areas and soil erosion are among the common causes of carbon emissions from the soil.
Leguminous plants can lower nitrogen oxide N2O and give fertilization and doing so to achieve mitigation, farms should consider costs, benefits associated with this variety of plants.
European researchers agree that some mitigation best practices are: forestation (sequestration of carbon (C) in biomass and soils); reduction in emissions per unit; food security; reduction of emissions in agriculture.

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Encouraging young professionals towards environmental practices

Tuesday, 24 February 2015, 10.00 hrs,
Tirana International Hotel, Abret Hall,
Tirana