South Eastern Europe / bneGREEN
North Macedonia's Skopje tackles mounting waste and rodent crisis
Locals say the problems in Skopje's Centar municipality worsened during the local election period when political campaigning took precedence over maintenance.
EBRD invests €16.8mn in Croatia’s first large-scale battery storage and virtual power plant
Development bank to take its first equity stake in a standalone merchant storage project.
EXPLAINER: What is the EU’s CBAM and how will it affect global trade from 2026?
The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will enter its full operational phase on January 1, 2026, marking a major shift in global climate and trade policy.
Global renewables to double by 2030, but IEA warns momentum must accelerate
Global renewable energy capacity is on course to double by 2030, reaching 4,600 GW—comparable to the current combined total of China, the European Union and Japan—according to the International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2025 report.
Econergy acquires full ownership of Romania’s largest solar power plant
After taking over the 155 MWp Rătești PV plant, Israel's Ecoenergy plans to add a 120 MW BESS facility.
Albania launches nationwide cleanup of abandoned car graveyards
Albania has one of Europe's oldest car fleets, and a waste management sector that lags behind those of EU members and other Western Balkan countries.
Greenpeace says Ikea suppliers driving destruction of Romania’s ancient forests
Illegal logging is a "systemic problem in forest governance and timber markets" in the region, Greenpeace's head of biodiversity tells bne IntelliNews.
North Macedonia busts major illegal logging ring causing €104mn forest damage
Police say group devastated 6,000 hectares of forest after corrupt officials accepted bribes to enable the circulation of timber.
Europe’s summer heatwaves killed more than 16,000 people
The heatwaves that swept the Continent were responsible for more than two-thirds of the 24,400 heat-related deaths estimated in Europe this summer, or 16,266 people, according to a new study conducted by scientists at Imperial College London.
Renewables sector warns Croatia risks losing billions in investments
Industry associations say that without rapid intervention, Croatia risks increasing fossil fuel imports, losing market confidence and undermining climate and energy objectives.
Moldova unveils €43bn energy strategy to 2050 focused on renewables and storage
Ambitious strategy aims to strengthen energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and align Moldova with European sustainability standards.
Romania sees surge in extreme weather alerts
Greenpeace Romania study shows an upward trend in storms, floods, and tornadoes.
Moldova briefly covers full power demand with renewable generation
Moldova has invested into solar and wind capacity as it seeks to end dependence on imports from Russia-backed separatist Transnistria.
EU faces worst wildfire season on record as over 1mn hectares burn
The European Union is enduring its most severe wildfire season since records began, with more than 1.01mn hectares of land scorched so far this year,
Bulgaria moves to tackle worsening water crisis
Mostly built during the communist era, Bulgaria's water supply network suffers from chronic underinvestment, ageing pipelines and environmental degradation.
Croatia faces 2°C hike in average temperatures by 2070
Temperatures have been steadily rising across the country since the mid-20th century with cities up to 10°C higher than rural areas.
Montenegrin soldier killed, another injured as wildfires rage across country
Montenegro has been battling multiple wildfires, forcing evacuations as authorities deployed all available resources.
Serbia and EU sign €325mn environment and energy funding deal
Funds to be directed toward sustainable waste management, wastewater infrastructure improvements and energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings and households.
Renewables make up Dutch power supplies for the first time - OWID
For the first time, in 2024, more than half of the electricity produced in the Netherlands came from renewable sources, and almost all of it (45%) from solar and wind.