Support in Climate Impact Assessment and Recommendations for Transboundary Areas in the Western Balkans (CABAMCA)

Summary of project:

The project forms part of UNEP’s broader regional initiatives, including “Climate Proofing for Sustainable Development in the Western Balkans”, the “South-East Europe Pollution Platform”, and “Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation (CAMCA) in the Western Balkans.”

FEA provided technical support to Zoï Environment Network in assessing climate impacts and developing adaptation recommendations for key transboundary protected areas in the Western Balkans. The project addressed the nexus between climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable tourism, with a strong focus on climate risk assessment and the identification of adaptation measures through ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and nature-based approaches (NbA).

The assessment covered three priority transboundary areas (8 PAs; 7 NPs):

1. Albanian Alps National Park (Albania) / Prokletije National Park (Montenegro) / Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park (Kosovo)

2. Šar Mountain – spanning Albania, North Macedonia (Šar Planina National Park), and Kosovo (Sharri National Park)

3. Tara–Drina Corridor – including Tara National Park (Serbia) and Drina National Park (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Through a harmonized methodology, the project ensured regional comparability of results, strengthened stakeholder engagement across conservation, tourism, and local communities, and contributed to building a regional knowledge base for climate-resilient development.

Project objective

General objective:

To support climate impact assessment and deliver actionable adaptation recommendations for transboundary protected areas in the Western Balkans, enhancing biodiversity protection and climate-resilient tourism development.

Specific objectives:

• Collect and analyze socio-economic, climate, and infrastructure data across the Western Balkans

• Develop climate impact chain models based on scientific and official data

• Identify and prioritize adaptation measures, with a focus on EbA and NbA

• Strengthen regional knowledge and collaboration through workshops, study visits, and stakeholder engagement

• Produce national and regional reports to support evidence-based decision-making

• Key project activities:

• Engagement of local experts across the Western Balkans to collect harmonized data through fieldwork, interviews, surveys, and desk research

• Socio-economic and climate risk analysis for selected transboundary areas

• Development and validation of climate impact chain models based on BOKU projections and local data

• Organization of two study visits (Western Balkans and Kyrgyzstan) and preparation of a Lessons Learned Report

• Workshops and stakeholder consultations at local and transboundary levels

• Preparation of site-specific reports and a regional synthesis report

• Formulation of adaptation recommendations, with a focus on ecosystem-based and nature-based approaches linking climate, biodiversity, and tourism

  
  

Expected project outcomes:

• Two study visits (Western Balkans and Kyrgyzstan) successfully implemented, strengthening regional knowledge exchange

• Lessons Learned Report (LLR) capturing key insights and transferable practices

• A comprehensive regional assessment report “Climate Risk Analysis for Transboundary Mountain Protected Areas of the Western Balkans: Ecosystem-Based Adaptation – From Risk Assessment to Management Action”

• Strengthened evidence base for climate adaptation and ecosystem-based management in transboundary protected areas