Albania
The GMI Secretariat prepared this profile using publicly available information. If you are an official representative and wish to submit edits or additions, please contact the Secretariat at secretariat@globalmethane.org.
Albania joined the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) in 2013.
Albania has taken steps to mitigate methane emissions, committing to a 30% reduction by 2030. Additionally, the country has sector-specific methane emission reduction targets and has committed to international methane initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to methane reduction.
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Methane Emissions Summary
According to Albania’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, published in 2021, methane emissions are the second highest contributor to total greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. In 2016, methane emissions accounted for approximately 23% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in Albania.
The treatment and disposal of municipal and industrial solid waste is a significant contributor to Albania’s methane emissions and overall greenhouse gas emissions. Solid waste disposal at unmanaged disposal sites is the most common form of waste disposal in Albania and is the main source of emissions in the waste sector.
Trend of Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Gas (GgCO2e), 2009-2016
Trend of Methane Emissions from Solid Waste Disposal, 2009-2016
Source: Ministry of Tourism and Environment, National Greenhous Gas Inventory Report, November 2021. https://www.undp.org/albania/publications/albanias-national-greenhouse-gas-inventory-report
Methane Commitments and Plans
Methane mitigation efforts in Albania are guided by national and international commitments and plans.
National
- Albania’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), revised in 2021, supports the expansion of methane capture at landfills and establishes a targeted 10% landfill methane capture rate by 2030.
- Released in July 2021, Albania’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report under the country’s First Biennial Update Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, documents the latest data on methane emissions and summarizes progress made towards greenhouse gas reduction goals.
- Albania’s Third National Communication, published in 2016, summarizes the country’s methane emissions trends with a particular focus on the waste sector, Albania’s main source of methane emissions. Other methane sources include enteric fermentation, manure management, and fugitive emissions from oil and gas processing.
International
- Albania joined the Global Methane Pledge in 2021, agreeing to take voluntary actions to contribute to a collective effort to reduce global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
Methane Actions
The following highlights a sampling of actions taken by Albania to address methane, organized by GMI sector.
Coal Mines Sector
- Albania joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance, committing to support the collective coal phase out and transition to clean, renewable energy. (2024)
Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions
Explore the following websites to learn more about the government ministries addressing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in Albania.