Abstract

Climate change is one of the biggest threats that the world is currently facing, and Kosovo is no exception. While climate action and related research have been rapidly growing worldwide, they are still at an infantile level in Kosovo. This study is a scientometric analysis of climate change related research in Kosovo, aiming to explore the evolution of the scientific output publication trend, current research focus, and promising ideas for future related research from a meta-perspective. Since specific climate change research in Kosovo is scarce, this study extends the scope of research output by encompassing related studies on sustainable development, environment, agriculture, forestry, spatial planning, transportation, buildings, energy, waste, air pollution, etc. Findings show that climate change related research in Kosovo has been growing, especially since 2014, with the main research output being published within the fields of environmental science, engineering, social science, and energy. Current climate change research is mainly focused on energy efficiency and emissions and pollution reduction (hence climate change mitigation), tackling issues in urban areas more than in rural ones. Following the business-as-usual scenario, Kosovo is expected to experience more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as heat waves, floods, and droughts; therefore, related research and policymaking should have a greater focus on climate change adaptation as well. Since climate change research is transdisciplinary and bound to many uncertainties, this research emphasizes the importance of integrated approaches and science-based decision-making in better preparing for the future, building resilience, and shifting to green and sustainable development.