North Macedonia launches decarbonization guide for small businesses

The Economic Chamber of North Macedonia has developed the country’s first decarbonization guide for small businesses. The digital tool is intended to help North Macedonia’s economy adapt to international climate rules, including the European Union’s carbon border tax (CBAM).

The decarbonization guide provides detailed instructions on the most effective ways for local companies to reduce their carbon footprint as part of the global fight against climate change, according to the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia.

The key feature is a carbon footprint calculator that covers nearly 60 different energy sources and refrigerants. Information is also available on EU and domestic climate regulations, as well as funding opportunities, such as subsidies.

The platform offers practical case studies and success stories of leading companies to highlight the benefits of clean energy, according to the chamber.

Božinovska: The decarbonization guide marks a turning point in the country’s green transition

The guide was developed in cooperation with the advisory team of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Delegation of the EU to North Macedonia.

The guide was presented in the country’s capital, Skopje, at a gathering attended by more than a hundred entrepreneurs from all sectors of the North Macedonian economy.

Sanja Božinovska (photo: Economic Chamber of North Macedonia)

“The decarbonization guide is a turning point in our country’s green transition, equipping businesses with the tools they need to act now,” said Sanja Božinovska, North Macedonia’s Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources.

The guide is designed to help companies reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to international climate rules, while, as the chamber says, preserving competitiveness.

One of these rules is the EU’s tax on the import of carbon-intensive goods, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

The guide is available on the website of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia

This digital tool will help North Macedonia move towards a low-carbon economy, the chamber added.

The guide is available on the chamber’s website in the form of an interactive platform. Its development was financed by EIB Global.

Björn Gabriel, Head of EIB Representation in North Macedonia, has said that the guide comes at a crucial time as North Macedonia advances its green transition and prepares for upcoming carbon regulations.

According to Head of the Delegation of the EU to North Macedonia Michalis Rokas, decarbonization, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources are powerful tools for building a more innovative, resilient, and competitive economy.

If every small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) takes at least a few significant steps toward greener business practices, the combined impact on more than 68,000 firms will be truly transformative, claims Rokas.

Michalis Rokas (photo: Economic Chamber of North Macedonia)

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September 26, 2025

by AEA in News

Researchers from Denmark, Serbia, Slovenia creating carbon footprint calculator for glass products

A group of researchers from Serbia, Slovenia, and Denmark is creating a completely new, scientifically based tool for assessing environmental impact – a carbon footprint calculator for glass products. The calculator can contribute to reducing the total greenhouse gas emissions in the sector to zero.

The project Glassmaking Tradition Meets Innovation is implemented by Slovenian organization Kreativno središče Center Rog, three entities in Serbia – Foundation Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Creative Glass Serbia initiative, and the Foundation for the Advancement of Economics (FREN) – and the Museum Sydøstdanmark from Denmark.

The calculator is based on an original and innovative methodology that will conduct an interdisciplinary analysis of different types of glass materials, especially glass waste, and the ways they can be creatively processed, according to Creative Glass Serbia.

Molnar: Glass practically never has to become waste

The tool will enable artists and creative entrepreneurs across Europe who work with glass to calculate the carbon footprint of various handcrafted glass items. With the help of the calculator, they will be able to reevaluate their materials, techniques, tools, designs, and ideas to develop more sustainable practices and create new values that are in line with modern ecological standards in an era when humanity is struggling with the consequences of climate change.

Photo: Creative Glass Serbia

Dejan Molnar from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Belgrade, a member of the project team, noted that glass is one of the most recyclable materials. Unlike, for example, plastic and metals, during recycling it doesn’t lose quality and it has a lower carbon footprint.

If used and recycled properly, glass practically never has to be considered waste, he pointed out.

In his words, the European Union recycles nearly 80% of glass packaging, with even more ambitious goals aiming to increase the recycled glass packaging rate to 90% by 2030.

In Serbia, 45% to 50% of glass packaging is recycled

“Unfortunately, the situation in this area is not as ‘bright’ in the Western Balkans region, nor in Serbia. In our country, recycling ranges between 45% and 50%,” said Molnar, who is also a member of FREN.

He recalled that currently there is no tool that assesses environmental standards during the production of glass products, and that buyers of artistic glass pieces are paying more attention to how green the products are.

Therefore, one of the most important results of the carbon footprint calculator will be very useful in a broader sense – to raise public awareness about environmentally sustainable and circular business models and ideas in glassmaking practices, he explained.

The calculator will be introduced in Serbia and Europe by the end of November. The project is co-financed by the European Union. It lasts from 2024 to 2027.

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