Chancen und Barrieren für eine nachhaltige Energie- und Klimaschutzpolitik in Südosteuropa
Chances and Barriers for a Sustainable Energy and Climate Protection Policy in Southeast Europe

Summary/Abstract: Twenty years after the end of communism, the countries of South East Europe (SEE) are still undergoing a fundamental economic transformation that will hopefully lead to their establishment as full-fledged members of the Western/European order. Parallel to this specific regional process, the global concern of climate change has triggered the implementation of another policy process that the SEE countries have to integrate into their self-restructuring process. In order to meet those demands, they will have to advance their renewable energy sector and introduce modern, low-emission technologies. While this requires increased efforts from politicians as well as entrepreneurs, it offers at the same time an opportunity for an even more elaborated modernization process than a mere catching-up to given standards would. Even as “weaker” partners within the EU, the SEE countries can become a major field for the implementation of measures that are not only useful but figure prominently in the EU’s self-perception of becoming a world leader in environmental technologies and policies. Whether this ambitious goal is going to materialize or not, climate change policy may indeed be one of the few instruments that can propel the Balkans from the periphery to at least near centre-stage in Europe.

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