The Balkan region stands at the intersection of multiple crises, where environmental
pressures increasingly influence patterns of human mobility and reshape the security
landscape. This paper examines the migration – environment – nexus in the Western
Balkans, analyzing how climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, agricultural decline,
and urban pollution act as drivers of both internal and cross-border migration. The study
highlights the vulnerability of rural communities facing declining agricultural productivity
and the growing urban populations exposed to pollution and infrastructural stress. It also
explores the security implications of environmentally induced migration, including resource
competition, social instability, and the risk of conflict over shared natural assets such as
water and arable land. Drawing on recent empirical studies and policy analyses, the paper
argues that effective responses require integrated regional strategies that enhance
resilience, promote sustainable resource management, and address the root causes of
environmental degradation and forced mobility. The findings underscore the necessity of
viewing migration not only as a consequence of environmental stress, but also as a critical
variable in shaping future security and development in the Balkans.
Key Words: Migration – Environment Nexus, Environmental Security, Human Mobility,
Urban Vulnerability, Resource Conflict