EU Member States have set out a clear path towards opening accession negotiations with Albania in June 2019 in the 35 chapters of the EU acquis communautaire. This is the accumulated legislation, legal acts, and court decisions which constitute the body of EU Law. Chapter 27 is related to Environment, (whilst Chapter 11 is related to Agriculture and Rural Development).

EU environment policy aims to promote sustainable development, and protect the environment for present and future generations. It is based on preventive action, the polluter pays principle, fighting environmental damage at source, shared responsibility, and the integration of environmental protection into other EU policies.

The environmental acquis comprises over 200 major legal acts that cover horizontal legislation, water and air quality, waste management, nature protection, industrial pollution control and risk management, chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), noise and forestry.

Compliance with the acquis requires significant investment. A strong and well-equipped administration at national and local level is required to apply and enforce the environment acquis, as well as monitor its implementation.

Albanian negotiations related to Chapter 11 are being supported by Sweden through a programme called Supporting Negotiations for Environmental Chapter 27 (SANE27). A seminar was held under SANE27 on 22 October 2018 that covered:

1. an introduction to activities that the Ministry of Tourism and Environment is taking to prepare for screening; SANE27 activities; the EU negotiation process in environment; and the main challenges faced; and
2. the role of CSOs/NGOs within EU accession negotiations related to Environment and Climate Change, including priority sub-chapters; and presentations concerning how CSOs/NGOs have been engaged in other countries, including Montenegro, Lithuania, and Sweden. 

In addition to its work on the environment and climate change, CNVP focuses on European accession issues, related policy questions and the application of EU standards in agri-rural and forestry development, as well as implementation of measures under the Agriculture and Rural Development Programmes for 2014-20 funded that is funded through IPARD II. This is allowing CNVP to contribute to building a greener economic environment in Albania and the rest of the western Balkans.