Legislation in the field of environment and climate change in North Macedonia and Serbia

In the recent years North Macedonia and Serbia have been rated among top most polluted countries in the world. North Macedonia, being a candidate country since 2005 and awaiting a date to start negotiations for EU membership for more than ten years after receiving a positive recommendation to open negotiations in 2009, has been criticized for having limited progress in the harmonization of policies and legislation regarding water quality, nature protection and waste, which both directly and indirectly affect the energy sector, the industry, the labor force and the healthcare system in the state. Also, comprehensive strategy on climate-related action and a National Energy and Climate Plan, in line with Energy Community obligation have not yet been put in place. For Serbia, the strategic goal to become an EU member state became an important driving force for legislative activities in the field of climate change. Although the first set of environmental legislation was adopted in 2004, followed by another wave of legislation in 2009-2012 period, significant progress was made with the opening negotiations in 2014, when the interest for alignment with EU acquis increased and negotiation chapter 27 has been prepared in January 2020, but it is not open yet. For both countries, further efforts are still needed to comply with EU policies, like the adoption of Law on Climate Change and Strategy for Combating Climate Change. Since the next EC Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027 is expected to include significant part dedicated to climate change activities. In this regard, both Serbia and North Macedonia will be obliged to align their national legislation with the EU acquis. At the moment, the current EU 2030 climate and energy targets and the objectives of Paris Agreement seem unreachable for the two countries. The complexity of EU acquis and the necessary reforms that need to be implemented in order to achieve the aforementioned goals will require strengthening of institutional capacities and additional financial means. This paper will analyze ways to improve reform processes in the field of environment and target key areas that require immediate actions.