An overview of the environmental situation in Albania, addressing the current state of the environment, pressures on the environment, and describing current initiatives for improving the environmental situation.

Environmental issues and environmental management in Albania.

During the week of 17-24 September 2000, a UNEP mission visited Albania to assess environmental conditions in the aftermath of the Kosovo conflict. During the mission, UNEP's team of international experts worked closely with national experts from Albania. The "hot spot" subgroup visited nine industrial sites throughout the country. At the sites, UNEP experts met with company or local officials, inspected facilities and environmental conditions, and took samples, as appropriate. The following report summarizes and interprets UNEP's sample results and contains expert observations on site conditions.

Although a small country, Albania is distinguished for its rich biological and landscape diversity. The basic law on environment has existed since 1967, but the development of a modern legal system for environmental protection based on democratic principles began only in 1991. Albania signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in January 1994.

The report focuses specifically on refugee impacts relating to solid waste, wastewater, water supply, forests, biodiversity, agricultural lands and recreational areas and urban green space. The report concludes that the environmental impacts of the refugees in the Albania are minimal. The UNEP mission observed only minor instances of refugee-related environmental degradation caused by improper disposal of solid waste and wastewater and inadequate rehabilitation of lands used for refugee camps. These minor impacts could have been largely avoided or minimized with a greater degree of environmental planning, management and cooperation between the Albanian Emergency Management Group and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The use of life-cycle management in refugee camps may have also minimized rehabilitation costs and maximized redevelopement opportunities.

This report continues the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) investigation of the impacts of the Kosovo conflict. It extends the body of knowledge about the environmental impacts of the conflict, and about the urgent environmental challenges facing Albania. The report should provide a useful tool for international community members seeking to assess Albania's needs and assist the country. It also underscores the importance of environmental management during humanitarian assistance efforts.