Marjan Nikolov

Abstract

In order to limit the increase of temperature to 1.5^oC and below 2^oC above pre-industrial levelsthe Western Balkan countries and the European Union, following the Paris Agreement, adopted the 2050decarbonization goal. The green transition approach in North Macedonia remains a top-down processand poses challenges on implementing a just transition that embeds place-based policies. The communicationamong central and local government levels and stakeholders remain vague, opening the researchquestion about the proper mix of just transition, participation, legislation adoption and the quality of policymaking and governance configuration that should be able to serve spatial and social justice to be ableto implement a place-based governance framework. We use targeted survey to assess the green transitionpolicy of the government of North Macedonia if it is just and if it respects the place-based approach.The results suggest that the place-based approach is weakly implemented, decisions remain centralizedand following the top-down logic undermining local participation. We recommend further, more detailedanalyses of the place-based transition and decentralization efficiency with focus on local government barriersto more just green transition.

Keywords: just transition, place-based approach, spatial/social justice, governance, Green Deal, climate change

Marjan Nikolov [info@cea.org.mk], Center for Economic Analyses Bul. Jane Sandanski 63/3; 1000 Skopje: North Macedonia
Ana Marija Petrovska [info@cea.org.mk], Center for Economic Analyses Bul. Jane Sandanski 63/3; 1000 Skopje: North Macedonia
Igor Mitevski [info@cea.org.mk], Center for Economic Analyses Bul. Jane Sandanski 63/3; 1000 Skopje: North Macedonia

Citation

APA: Nikolov, M., Petrovska, A., & Mitevski, I. (2025). Challenges and opportunities for a just green transition in North Macedonia. Europa XXI, 49, 1. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.1
MLA: Nikolov, Marjan, et al. "Challenges and opportunities for a just green transition in North Macedonia". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 1. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.1
Chicago: Nikolov, Marjan, Petrovska, Ana Marija, and Mitevski, Igor. "Challenges and opportunities for a just green transition in North Macedonia". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 1. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.1
Harvard: Nikolov, M., Petrovska, A., & Mitevski, I. 2025. "Challenges and opportunities for a just green transition in North Macedonia". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 1. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.1