A luxury resort development in Albania, backed by Jared Kushner’s investment firm, has ignited protests from local communities and environmental groups. The project, situated along the pristine Ionian coast near the town of Sarandë, promises high-end tourism infrastructure but has raised alarms over potential ecological damage and displacement of residents. UK investors with ties to the scheme are now being urged to reassess their involvement as tensions escalate.
The proposed development, which includes hotels, villas, and a marina, sits within a designated protected area under Albanian law. Critics argue that construction would threaten endangered sea turtle nesting sites, seagrass meadows, and the region’s fragile karst landscape. Data from the Albanian Environmental Agency indicate that the site hosts populations of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), a species listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. The project’s environmental impact assessment, which was commissioned by the developers, claims that mitigation measures will be implemented. However, independent ecologists have challenged the report’s methodology, noting that baseline surveys were conducted outside the nesting season.
Local protests have been growing since the announcement in April 2025. Residents, supported by groups such as EcoAlbania, argue that the resort will lead to water shortages, increased traffic, and loss of access to traditional fishing grounds. The Albanian government has defended the project, citing economic benefits and job creation. Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration has stressed that the development aligns with national tourism strategies. Yet transparency concerns persist: details of the deal between Kushner’s Affinity Partners and the Albanian government remain confidential, with no publicly available concession agreement.
For UK investors, the situation carries significant reputational and regulatory risks. The UK’s Modern Slavery Act requires companies to report on supply chain due diligence, and the Environmental Audit Committee has been increasingly active in scrutinising overseas investments linked to environmental harm. Legal experts advise that withdrawal may be prudent if the project faces mounting legal challenges. Albania’s constitutional court is currently considering a case brought by environmental NGOs seeking to halt construction on the grounds of procedural violations.
Climate accountability adds another layer. The resort’s carbon footprint, including emissions from construction and future operations, is estimated at 120,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over 50 years based on similar developments in the Mediterranean. In a world aiming for net zero by 2050, new luxury infrastructure of this scale is increasingly difficult to justify without robust offset plans.
The broader context is a pattern of rapid coastal development in southern Albania, driven by post-pandemic tourism booms and foreign capital. Analysts warn that without stronger enforcement of environmental protections, the country risks repeating mistakes seen along the Spanish and Greek coasts, where unchecked construction has led to ecosystem collapse and reduced long-term tourism value.
UK investors would do well to evaluate not only the financial returns but also the trajectory of international norms on biodiversity and climate. The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, for example, is shaping how investors must assess nature risks. Failing to account for these could leave portfolio companies exposed to future liabilities.
As protests intensify and legal action unfolds, the next months will be pivotal. The Albanian government has shown no sign of backing down, but the pressure may force changes to the project’s scope. For now, the advice from responsible investment groups is clear: conduct thorough due diligence, engage with local stakeholders, and be prepared to divest if the risks cannot be managed. The message for UK investors is one of calm urgency: act before the tide turns.
