North Macedonia country compendium: Country climate and development report

This Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for North Macedonia examines the country's development trajectory through the lens of the country’s vulnerability to climate change. North Macedonia is an upper-middle-income country that aspires to join the European Union (EU), but its sustained growth has been achieved at high environmental and health costs. 

The following are some of the highlighted recommended policy actions and investments

• Establish a comprehensive legislative framework for climate adaptation, including (1) adopting the draft Law on Climate Action and the draft Law on Critical Infrastructure, (2) develop a National Adaptation Plan, (3) update the building code and regulations with climate-resilient design and construction standards [with a focus on critical infrastructure], (4) update environmental regulation / environmental assessment acts for EIAs (Environmental Impact Assessments) and SEAs (Strategic Environmental Assessments) to include requirements to assess climate vulnerability and align with the EU Green Deal, and v) define the roles and competencies of the institutions/agencies responsible for managing emergencies and disasters
• Build capacity and support institutional actors at national and local levels to implement the disaster risk finance strategy, including sustainable financial models for budgetary planning
• Modify legislation to strengthen one-off financial assistance to respond to localized shocks rapidly through the social protection system in a transparent manner.
• Develop a comprehensive disaster risk finance strategy supporting diversified financial mechanisms for climate adaptation and resilience