Western Balkans Urged to Embrace Green Transport for a Sustainable Future

A new report, Transport Inputs to the Western Balkans Green Growth Narrative: Strategic Actions for a Greener and More Efficient Transport Sector, published by the World Bank, highlights the urgent need for sustainable transport solutions in the region. It identifies key challenges, including high emissions, outdated infrastructure, and inefficient connectivity, while outlining strategic actions such as decarbonization, digital transport solutions, and policy alignment with the EU’s Green Deal. The report stresses the economic and environmental benefits of a greener transport sector, urging regional governments to act swiftly.

A Pivotal Moment for Western Balkans Transport

The Western Balkans stands at a critical juncture in its transport evolution. A newly released report, Transport Inputs to the Western Balkans Green Growth Narrative: Strategic Actions for a Greener and More Efficient Transport Sector, published by the World Bank, underscores the region’s pressing need to transition toward greener, more sustainable mobility solutions. With an aging infrastructure and a heavy reliance on road transport, the sector remains a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, impeding both environmental progress and economic integration with the European Union.

As the region aspires to align with the EU’s Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals, transforming its transport sector is no longer an option but a necessity. The report provides a blueprint for this transition, outlining key strategies to modernize the sector, cut emissions, and enhance connectivity.

Challenges Hindering Green Mobility

Despite its growing economic ambitions, the Western Balkans transport sector is fraught with inefficiencies that hamper sustainability:

High Carbon Emissions: The dominance of road transport, coupled with outdated vehicle fleets, results in excessive greenhouse gas emissions, making the sector one of the leading contributors to pollution.

Low Efficiency and Poor Connectivity: A lack of integration between transport modes leads to logistical inefficiencies, increasing congestion and travel costs.

Aging Infrastructure: The region’s railway networks remain underdeveloped, limiting the shift from road to more sustainable rail-based transport.

Public Transport Deficiencies: With urban populations heavily reliant on private vehicles, public transport systems remain underutilized, exacerbating congestion and pollution levels.

These challenges not only hinder the region’s green ambitions but also pose economic risks, making it less competitive in an increasingly sustainability-driven global economy.

Strategic Actions for a Greener Future

To address these pressing concerns, the report proposes a multi-faceted approach, focusing on five key pillars:

Promoting Sustainable Mobility – Expanding public transport networks, investing in cycling and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and implementing low-emission zones in urban centers.

Enhancing Rail and Multimodal Transport – Upgrading railway networks to encourage freight and passenger transport via rail, integrating multimodal transport hubs to facilitate seamless transitions between road, rail, and inland waterways.

Decarbonizing Road Transport – Strengthening emissions regulations, promoting electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, and expanding charging infrastructure to support clean mobility.

Improving Transport Governance and Policy Coordination – Aligning national policies with EU environmental goals, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and fostering regional collaboration for cross-border transport projects.

Investing in Smart and Digital Transport Solutions – Deploying intelligent transport systems (ITS) to optimize traffic management and leveraging digital platforms to enhance logistics efficiency.

Economic and Environmental Gains Await

By adopting these strategies, the Western Balkans could unlock a host of benefits:

Lower Carbon Footprint: A shift to green mobility will significantly reduce emissions and improve air quality across the region.

Enhanced Regional Connectivity: A more efficient and integrated transport network will strengthen economic ties within the region and with the EU.

Job Creation and Investment Opportunities: The push for sustainable transport will stimulate job growth in sectors such as clean energy, infrastructure development, and digital mobility solutions.

Resilient and Future-Ready Infrastructure: Investments in modern transport systems will future-proof the region’s economy, ensuring long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Call to Action: A Race Against Time

The report makes it clear: the time to act is now. With climate challenges intensifying and global markets pivoting toward green solutions, the Western Balkans cannot afford to lag behind. Governments, businesses, and policymakers must collaborate to implement the recommended strategies, leveraging EU support and private-sector investments to accelerate the shift toward sustainable transport.

As the region navigates its path toward greener mobility, this transformation will not only be an environmental win but an economic one—ensuring a competitive, resilient, and sustainable future for the Western Balkans.

For a detailed analysis of these recommendations, refer to the full report, Transport Inputs to the Western Balkans Green Growth Narrative: Strategic Actions for a Greener and More Efficient Transport Sector, published by the World Bank.