In the context of Kosovo’s efforts to align with EU environmental and energy standards, UNOPS has provided critical legal and technical support to the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIET) in drafting the Administrative Instruction on biofuels and bioliquids. Following the adoption of Law No. 08/L-018 on Trade of Petroleum and Petroleum Products in 2022, MIET required assistance to meet the deadline for drafting and approving the bylaw in line with EC Directive 2009/28 with a key focus to ensure that biofuels used in transport contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security and support rural development.

The main goal of the assignment has been to help MIET incorporate sustainability provisions for biofuels into Kosovo’s legal framework – a crucial step towards meeting the EU requirements and the country’s European Reform Agenda. By establishing legal and technical foundations for biofuels, UNOPS has aimed to address the transport sector’s negligible renewable energy share, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security.

UNOPS provided training to the Government working group responsible for drafting the biofuels instruction. The training sessions covered key aspects of EU Directive 2018/2001, focusing on the role and trade of biofuels in the EU and Western Balkans, as well as the impact of greenhouse gases, sustainability criteria and alignment with EU standards. Next, the UNOPS expert developed a new draft of the Administrative Instruction on Biofuels for Transport.

Finally, the UNOPS advisor organized a study visit to Madrid, where seven members of the working group met with the Sub-directorate General for Hydrocarbons and New Fuels at Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge for practical knowledge exchange aimed to refine the draft legislation.

The work of the K4R programme has had a significant impact on enhancing Kosovo’s capacity to regulate and promote the use of biofuels, aligning national policies with EU standards. Through training, government officials gained valuable insights for building the foundational expertise needed to draft effective legislation and advance the country’s renewable energy goals, contributing to a more sustainable energy sector. The development of the Administrative Instruction on Biofuels for Transport, alongside the study visit to Spain, have further underscored the role of the K4R programme in supporting policymakers to review best practices, helping them refine the legislation and strengthen their approach to sustainable biofuel adoption.

Overall, the work of the K4R advisor has promoted greenhouse gas emissions reduction and created new economic opportunities in the renewable energy sector, ultimately benefiting the environment and everyday lives of people of Kosovo.

The assignment directly supports SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy by enhancing infrastructure and adopting effective policies for biofuels and bioliquids, therefore fostering sustainable energy practices.

The assignment also supports SDG 13: Climate Action by aligning with EU sustainability criteria and focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.