The second National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for Albania builds on the review of the first NAP, incorporates findings from multiple studies and assessments, aligns with existing national documents, and draws on regional and international guidance. Its vision is to achieve “a dynamic, secure, prosperous and sustainable Albania, anchored in Europe,” with the overarching adaptation goal of creating a climate-resilient country able to withstand the impacts of climate change. The plan aims to integrate climate change adaptation (CCA) into national and local development strategies, sectoral policies, and financial planning, serving as a reference framework for coordination and alignment across sectors.
The NAP focuses on strengthening institutional and technical capacities to support long-term adaptation planning. It aligns with Albania’s commitments under international agreements, including the Paris Agreement, and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The plan identifies priority sectors and outlines strategies to reduce climate-related risks while ensuring socio-economic development remains sustainable and resilient.
To translate objectives into actionable measures, the NAP undertook extensive activities, including institutional and sectoral analyses, capacity gap assessments, vulnerability and risk assessments, and the development of climate scenarios. Adaptation options were identified and prioritized across five key sectors: agriculture and forestry, energy, transport, urban development, and tourism. The process also supported data digitization, financing options, capacity-building tools, and training programs at national and municipal levels, feeding into the NAP’s comprehensive strategy.
The NAP details 151 adaptation measures across sectoral and cross-sectoral levels. In agriculture, 41 measures address areas such as pasture management, fire management, conservation of local genetic resources, promotion of heat- and drought-tolerant species, invasive species control, protection from flooding, climate-smart farming practices, and water efficiency. Forestry includes 30 measures focused on forest management, health monitoring, and reforestation. Tourism, energy, transport, and urban development sectors also have dedicated adaptation measures to enhance climate resilience and sustainability. Key cross-sectoral measures focus on coordination, improved data and information systems, and ecosystem- and nature-based solutions.
At the local level, eight municipalities developed Local Adaptation Plans under the Climate Law, identifying approximately 85 adaptation measures and 45 priority actions per municipality. Common actions include strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, increasing financing for adaptation, establishing steering groups across key departments, and enhancing scientific, technical, and social capacity to generate evidence for informed decision-making. These local measures complement national efforts and aim to ensure effective, context-specific implementation of adaptation strategies across Albania.
