As winter sets in, Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, has been identified as one of the most polluted cities globally, ranking seventh for air quality degradation last weekend, according to IQAir. The environmental situation is exacerbated by a mix of wood-burning heating, stagnating fog, and the city’s geographical location surrounded by mountains. With industrial facilities operating below environmental standards, an aging vehicle fleet, and improper waste burning practices, Skopje continues to face severe air quality challenges. Health authorities report over 4,000 annual deaths linked to air pollution in the country.