The aim of this paper is to reconsider the necessity for the green transition and the key preconditions for the implementation of a circular economy in Western Balkan countries. With the objective of the research in mind, the method of analysis and synthesis was applied to determine (1) regulatory and institutional prerequisites for the green transition; (2) the need for the Western Balkan countries to redefine the model of sustainable economic growth towards the green transition; (3) the development opportunities for recovery defined in the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans; and (4) the possibility of implementing the circular economy in the Western Balkans. The main findings of the research indicate that: (1) the countries of the Western Balkan region, following the example of the EU, should define a national strategic approach to the green transition with an accompanying action plan and regulatory framework; (2) the biggest challenge of the green transition is the reform of the energy sector and the restructuring of the energy-intensive economy; (3) the countries have untapped potential in renewable energy sources and report the improvement of energy efficiency; (4) the circular economy can boost the green transition, because the countries of the region have a five-time lower value of resource productivity than the average of the EU, while the generation of waste (excluding major mineral wastes) per GDP unit is lower compared to the EU; (5) cross-sectoral governance should be more coordinated. The green transition might be a development opportunity for the Western Balkans, which should enable sustainable economic growth as well as energy security and environmental protection. However, the implementation of the Green Agenda is not easy, because the region faces the problem of underdeveloped regulatory and institutional capacities that might provide not only the base for long-term planning but also financial resources for the efficient implementation of projects. In addition, it is essential to understand the principles of the Green Agenda and the interaction of all activities that should enable the achievement of defined goals.

中文翻译：

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西巴尔干地区复苏绿色转型的挑战

本文的目的是重新考虑西巴尔干国家绿色转型的必要性以及实施循环经济的关键前提条件。考虑到研究目标，采用分析和综合的方法来确定（1）绿色转型的监管和制度先决条件；（2）西巴尔干国家需要重新定义可持续经济增长模式，迈向绿色转型；(3) 《西巴尔干绿色议程》中确定的复苏发展机会；(4)在西巴尔干地区实施循环经济的可能性。研究的主要结果表明：（1）西巴尔干地区国家应以欧盟为榜样，制定国家绿色转型战略方针，并制定相应的行动计划和监管框架；（2）绿色转型的最大挑战是能源部门改革和高耗能经济结构调整；（3）可再生能源潜力尚未开发并报告能源效率改善情况的国家；（4）循环经济可以促进绿色转型，因为该地区国家的资源生产率比欧盟平均水平低五倍，而单位GDP产生的废物（不包括主要矿产废物）为与欧盟相比较低；（五）跨部门治理要更加协调。绿色转型可能是西巴尔干地区的发展机遇，能够实现可持续的经济增长以及能源安全和环境保护。然而，绿色议程的实施并不容易，因为该地区面临着监管和机构能力不发达的问题，而这些能力不仅可以为长期规划提供基础，还可以为项目的有效实施提供财政资源。此外，必须了解绿色议程的原则以及所有有助于实现既定目标的活动的相互作用。