The escalating challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable resource
consumption necessitated a fundamental rethinking of conventional economic
development paradigms. In this context, green businesses were increasingly recognized as
pivotal agents of change, offering pathways to align economic growth with environmental
sustainability and social equity. This paper critically examined the role and potential of
green businesses in advancing sustainable development in Albania, a country navigating
the intersection of environmental vulnerability and European integration. Through a
multidisciplinary approach grounded in both international literature and national data, the
study identified key structural impediments to green business development, including
limited public awareness, insufficient institutional support, regulatory fragmentation, and
inadequate access to finance. Despite these constraints, Albania presented significant
untapped opportunities in emerging green sectors, including organic agriculture,
ecotourism, renewable energy, and sustainable waste management. These sectors aligned
closely with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the
Western Balkans. The analysis further highlighted the importance of fostering
public-private partnerships, enhancing green education and vocational training, and
integrating environmental sustainability into national policy frameworks. Ultimately, the
paper argued that green entrepreneurship represented a viable and strategic pathway for
Albania to achieve inclusive, resilient, and competitive economic transformation. By
adopting green business models, Albania could have enhanced its prospects for sustainable
development, fulfilled its international climate commitments, and made a meaningful
contribution to the regional green transition.
Keywords: green business, sustainable development, Albania, green economy,
environmental policy, entrepreneurship