October: The Energy Community is established, supporting Southeast Europe in adopting EU energy legislation, improving energy security, reducing environmental impacts, and integrating into the broader European energy market.

April: The Balkan Renewable Energy Program, BREP, is established to promote renewable energy markets and diversification of the energy mix in the Western Balkans - initially with the participation of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia.

The World Bank and international organizations stress the importance of carbon pricing and markets to help the Western Balkans transition to low-carbon economies and integrate into broader European carbon frameworks, promoting sustainable growth and environmental protection.

April: The Balkan Renewable Energy Program, BREP, expands to also cover the rest of the Western Balkan six, including Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia.

April: The Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP/REEP Plus) is launched, aiming to improve energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy sources in the Western Balkans, helping the region transition towards a low-carbon economy.

August: The inaugural EU-Western Balkans summit is held in Berlin, mark the launch of the Berlin Process, which aims to enhance regional cooperation and support the integration of Western Balkan countries into the European Union.

August: The second EU-Western Balkans summit is held in Vienna, focused primarily on regional cooperation, economic development and energy connectivity.

December: The Western Balkan six commit to climate action by signing the Paris Agreement at COP21.

April: The Paris Agreement is ratified by the Western Balkan six, committing to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

July: The third EU-Western Balkans summit held in Paris announced key energy efficiency initiatives to bolster the region's commitment to sustainability and economic integration with the European Union.

July: During the fourth EU-Western Balkans summit held in Trieste, Italy, the European Commission announced additional financing of €48 million to boost entrepreneurial capacity in the region.

July: At the fifth EU-Western Balkans summit in London, the European Commission, in cooperation with partner financial institutions, puts forward a new guarantee instrument aiming to leverage up to €1 billion in investments under the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

November: Establishment of the “Decarbonisation Roadmap,” guiding the Western Balkans towards a low-carbon energy sector.

December: The Western Balkan countries submit their initial Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), outlining their climate action targets and strategies.

July: At the sixth EU-Western Balkans Summit in Poznań, leaders endorse the “Statement on Clean Energy Transition,” committing to align with EU energy, climate, and environmental policies and support the Paris Agreement’s goals.

July: The European Commission proposed the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

December: The first Law on Climate Change enters into force in Montenegro, highlighting a set of climate policies including a GHG inventory and a national system for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).

February: Montenegro’s regulation on emissions trading enters into force, launching preparations for a national ETS.

October: The European Commission adopts the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, allocating up to €9 billion for the region's green transition, including significant funding for carbon reduction projects.

November: During the seventh EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, the leaders’ declaration endorses the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, promoting sustainable development, reducing pollution, and transitioning the region to a low-carbon economy.

January: Western Balkan countries begin the process of developing their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

March: Serbia adopts its first Law on Climate Change, which includes a system for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of GHG emissions.

July: The eighth EU-Western Balkans Summit in Berlin highlights the EU’s support for the region through the Economic and Investment Plan, which includes substantial investments in green and digital transitions.

December: Albania becomes the second Western Balkans country to submit its draft NECP.

January: Start of the "EU4Green" project, aiming to support green jobs and sustainable development in the Western Balkans.

February: The European Commission announces a €3.2 billion investment package in the Western Balkans to support 21 flagship projects in transport, digital, climate, and energy connectivity.

September: Western Balkan countries submit updated NDCs, reflecting enhanced climate targets and strategies.

November: The ninth EU-Western Balkans Summit in Berlin saw the endorsement of the “Declaration on Energy Security and Green Transition”, including a substantial €1 billion energy support package.

May: The European Union adopts Regulation (EU) 2023/956, introducing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

June: Deadline for Western Balkans countries to deliver their aligned draft NECPs.

October: Western Balkan leaders attend the tenth EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana, reaffirming their commitment to the Paris Agreement. This marked the first summit held in a Western Balkan state.

December: The European Commission announces a €680 million investment package, for five flagship investments in rail transport and renewable energy in the Western Balkans.

January: Kosovo introduces its first comprehensive Law on Climate Change, introducing a legal framework for planning and implementing climate change policies.

July: A €1.2 billion investment package is approved to support eight new flagship investments under the EIP for the Western Balkans, focusing on environment and climate, sustainable transport, and business sector support.

January: The Western Balkans six set the goal to integrate carbon pricing mechanism, crucial for the CBAM.

January: The full CBAM enters into force.