Vlore, 23 September: Social Good Summit kicked of yesterday in Vlora with a chain of activities. Bike rides, essay contests on wildlife and biodiversity, bio food fair, best photo contest showing climate change impacts, airing of short videos on environment-brought together school students, communities, local authorities, media, civil society and young climate activists.

The events, happening on the sidelines of the UN Climate Summit, and during the Global Goals Week, engaged participants and generated discussions about the impacts of climate change, actions needed by governments, private sector and society at large to prevent a warming world from reaching even more dangerous levels  and the need to step up actions urgently if Albania is to meet the commitment made at the Paris Accord.

Limya Eltayeb UNDP Resident Representative present at the event underlined:” No nation, however large or small, wealthy or poor, can escape the impact of climate change.  Rising sea levels threaten every coastline. The security and stability of each nation and all peoples, our prosperity, our health and our safety are in jeopardy.  And the available time to reverse this tide is running out.  The latest analysis shows that if we act now, we can reduce carbon emissions within 12 years and hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C and even, as asked by the latest science, to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Albanian government committed and is preparing to deliver 11.5% reduction of carbon-dioxide emission by 2030 aiming at reviewing the development of various sectors of economy and determine the de-carbonizing as a new way of growth in line with 2030 global agenda and Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs. UNDP is supporting this agenda with strategic vision and sectorial policies such as the strategy on Climate Change; Renewable Energy Action Plan, and many more as well as establishment of important institutions such the Energy Efficiency Agency and Agency of Protected Areas. I would like to thank the Global Environment Facility, Governments of Italy, Norway and Croatia for having supported our environment work in Albania”.

Albania will be one of the most affected countries in Europe by climate change. Extreme atmospheric events and phenomena such as dense rainfall, prolonged drought periods, but also the rise of the Adriatic Sea level, are expected to be among the core consequences, impacting water resources, energy, agriculture, tourism, health.

UNDP Albania has made available the expertise and convening power to bring partners and stakeholders on board for long term solutions to sustainable development and nature protection, applied technologies for renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, waste and hazardous waste rehabilitation and recycling promotion.

For media inquiries contact: Nora Kushti, UNDP Communications Specialist at:nora.kushti@undp.org