The Energy Community Secretariat has called on Western Balkan countries to accelerate efforts toward a just energy transition, citing a lack of concrete policies and measures in their national energy and climate plans (NECPs).
In newly issued Policy Guidelines on Just Transition, the Secretariat emphasized the need for a people-centred and region-specific approach to phasing out fossil fuels. It urged the region’s six contracting parties to develop dedicated just transition plans (JTPs) aligned with their NECPs, warning that current efforts fall short of meeting climate commitments.
“A just transition means supporting affected workers and communities, addressing energy poverty, and ensuring inclusive governance,” the Secretariat said in a statement. It added that robust JTPs could help attract both public and private investment.
The Western Balkans committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 when they signed the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda in 2020. However, coal remains dominant in the region’s electricity generation mix, with plants averaging 46 years in age—raising concerns about both efficiency and emissions.
Serbia recently took a step forward by publishing a draft Just Transition Action Plan. Meanwhile, the World Bank approved a EUR 79.9 million loan and a EUR 2.89 million grant to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to support its transition efforts.
The Secretariat noted that while no dedicated funding currently exists solely for just transition within the Energy Community, well-prepared JTPs could serve as strategic roadmaps to unlock future financial support.
For comparison, Romania—an EU member—has developed six territorial just transition plans (TJTPs) despite lacking a national JTP. These cover coal-dependent regions such as Hunedoara and Gorj.
The guidelines recommend that Western Balkan authorities conduct detailed socio-economic and environmental assessments to identify the regions most affected by decarbonisation. They also call for targeted support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), startups, and business incubators.
Upskilling and reskilling of workers, as well as support for jobseekers, are also key priorities. Equal participation of women in the labour market, entrepreneurship, and efforts to close the gender pay gap were highlighted as essential for inclusive growth.
The Secretariat stressed that enhanced reporting and planning could significantly improve the region’s readiness for the clean energy transition.