Download or read book Status of Environment and Climate in the Western Balkans written by and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Accurate and complete environmental information is at the basis of any effective sustainable development policy. This report summarises for the first time the status of air, climate, water and soil in the Western Balkans (WB), describing current knowledge as of 2021 and gaps with respect to the EU aquis in order to: a) benchmark the progress during the accession process, and b) support the implementation of the Green Agenda for the WB with particular reference to depollution and decarbonisation priorities. This information is also relevant for the EU Green Deal zero pollution ambition, as depollution in WB also reduces pollutant levels in neighbouring EU Member States. Despite significant improvements in the alignment of the climate and GHG emissions monitoring and reporting legislation and the good progress in the areas of air and water pollution in the latest two years, the EU aquis implementation is still lagging. The overall WB air quality situation is still critical and the pollution trend is often upwards, despite PM10 and PM2.5 concentration have decreased in certain areas. Due to its dominant impact on mortality, PM2.5 can be considered the main pollutant to target in the WB. The energy sector, in particular coal-fuelled power plants, is the major source of SO2 and CO2 emissions and an important source of other pollutants. It offers a concrete opportunity for co-benefits between air quality and climate policies. The increase in intensity and frequency of summer heatwaves in the latest decades is an indicator of climate change in the WB and the need to design appropriate adaptation plans to cope with it. The status of waterbodies in the WB can generally be assessed as unsatisfactory. In the case of chemical status, 45% of waterbodies assessed failed to reach good status, while in the ecological assessment 54% failed to reach good status. Case studies on antibiotic resistance, as well as effect-based studies on mixtures of pollutants confirmed that aquatic ecosystems, particularly large fluvial rivers, are under considerable anthropogenic pressure. Soil degradation is prevalent and extensive throughout the WB region. Soil erosion is the most relevant degradation process followed by soil pollution. Unsustainable land management practices and natural causes of soil degradation in the region are interlinked. In order to make progress in the implementation of the environmental legislation it is necessary to improve the integration of the environmental measures into key sectorial policies (e.g. energy production, energy efficiency, industry, transport). This principle is reflected in the Green Agenda for the WB and the new EU Soil Strategy. Due to the relatively small area of the WB and the interconnections between ecosystems across and beyond the region, strengthening regional and international cooperation is essential to involve all the relevant actors and stakeholders in the design and implementation of environmental policies.
Download or read book Climate Change Adaptation in Eastern Europe written by Walter Leal Filho and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-12-15 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book focuses on managing risks and building resilience to climate change, showcasing experiences from research, field projects and best practices to foster climate change adaptation in Eastern Europe that can be implemented elsewhere. Climate change affects countries in Eastern Europe, i.e. the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe in a variety of ways. Apart from severe floods, there are reports of decreasing water reserves in the southern regions, and of gradual changes in biodiversity and agricultural production. In the South Caucasus area, for instance, climate change models project a decline in precipitation and suggest that it will continue to become drier this century. Many Eastern European countries, especially the non-EU ones, have weak national climate policies, and transboundary collaborations, as well as limited public engagement in matters related to climate change. As a result, climate change poses a serious threat to their economic stability and development and to the sustainable development of the region. The above state of affairs illustrates the need for a better understanding of how climate change influences Eastern Europe, and for the identification of processes, methods and tools that may help the countries and the communities in the region to adapt. There is also a perceived need to showcase successful examples of how to cope with the social, economic and political problems posed by floods/droughts in the region, especially ways of increasing the resilience of agriculture systems and of communities. Addressing this need, the book presents papers written by scholars, social practitioners and members of government agencies involved in research and/or climate change projects in Eastern Europe.
Download or read book Europeanization of the Western Balkans written by Adam Fagan and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-08-02 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book analyses the changing roles of international agencies, governmental bodies, non-governmental organisations, and local communities around major road-building environmental impact assessment processes in order to examine whether the influence of the European Union has transformed environmental governance in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Serbia.
Download or read book Balkan Vital Graphics written by and published by UNEP/Earthprint. This book was released on 2007 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Environmental protection is one of the areas where the Balkan countries still face a big challenge to catch up with their western neighbors. After the 1990s conflicts and the breakup of Yugoslavia, six new Balkan states emerged. Apart from integrating environmental concerns into the new policies, a major challenge is environmental management across new borders. What used to be six international river basins in the Balkans have now evolved into 13 internationally shared river basins and four transboundary lake basins. The situation is similar for areas of high ecological value, many of which are often located in mountainous border areas. To ensure effective protection, entire ecosystems have to be addressed regardless of the political borders that are dividing them on a map. Transboundary cooperation between countries sharing one or more natural resources is therefore indispensable for creating common frameworks that promote their sustainable use while offering an opportunity for confidence-building between cooperating countries.
Download or read book Status of Air Pollutants and Greenhouse Gases in the Western Balkans written by and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The adoption, implementation and enforcement of Chapter 27 of the EU acquis on Environment is an obligation for accessing countries. Reducing the emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG) is a priority which is strongly interlinked with energy, transport and health policies, among others. This report summarises the current status of air pollution and emission of pollutants and GHG in the countries of the Western Balkans (WB), describing the existing level of knowledge and the gaps with respect to the EU aquis in order to benchmark the future progress in this field, during the accession process. At present, the alignment with the EU acquis on environment and climate in the WB ranges from early stage to advanced. The implementation of Ambient Air Quality Directive is not fully effective in all the WB countries and air quality monitoring networks, online data processing and QA/QC procedures are at different levels of development. Often, air pollution reporting in the WB does not fulfil all the required criteria and the number and proportion of reporting stations, time series and data coverage are all quite variable. Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), SO2, O3 and NO2 are the air pollutants whose levels are most frequently above the legislation limits in the WB. They are mainly emitted by human activities such as industry (including electricity production), household heating and transport. Agriculture contributes to secondary pollution. In addition, transboundary pollution from within and outside the region makes a considerable contribution to the observed concentrations. Energy and transport are the main sources of GHG in the region and a steady increase in the emissions is observed in some countries since 1995. The alignment in the field of climate change is at an initial stage. A continuing commitment is needed in the WB to achieve full alignment with EU environment acquis. The initial focus of the air quality management policies should be on the pollutants which are most frequently above the European legislation limit values. Among these are PM10, PM2.5 and SO2 emitted by coal burning in obsolete and inefficient power plants and industrial facilities. The combustion of biomass for residential heating also leads to considerable emissions of particulate matter. Co-benefits between air quality and climate should be better exploited. More effort should be made to further develop the technical skills in the WB countries in the areas of air quality monitoring and modelling and development of emission inventories for atmospheric pollutants and GHGs.
Download or read book Developing CDM Projects in the Western Balkans written by Massimiliano Montini and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2009-11-24 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Developing CDM Projects in the Western Balkans: Legal and Technical Issues Compared, arises from the professional practical experience gained by an interdisciplinary team of legal and technical experts acting in the framework of the environmental bilateral cooperation performed by the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea in the Western Balkan countries, through the "Task Force for Central and Eastern Europe". The added value of the book consists in the fact that it jointly presents the real professional experience gained by a multi sectoral team of lawyers, economists, engineers and other technical experts, working in synergy with a shared vision. This volume will be useful not only to those specifically interested in the Western Balkan area, but represents a broader example of lessons learned in the development of CDM projects. Therefore, it may have a broad market among Government officials and legal-economic-technical professionals dealing with climate change issues as well as academics developing scientific research in this field.
Download or read book Soil Health in the Western Balkans written by and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study is a compilation of evidence to support the development of a soil component for a JRC Science for Policy Report on the "Status of Environment and Climate in the Western Balkans". This document attempts to benchmark a range of issues affecting soil health with considerations on the accession progress for an eventual Soil Health Law under the 2030 Soil Strategy. The outcomes reported here are based on a literature review of 139 sources, bilateral exchanges with national soil experts in all Western Balkans countries, and on the personal experience of the authors. It should be emphasised that current data are scarce, and as such, the results should be considered as a primarily assessment and not definitive. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that soil degradation is prevalent and extensive throughout the Western Balkans region. Soils are under pressure, but the intensity of various soil health indicators varies between them and among the countries. Climate change was not part of this study. Nevertheless, its impacts will be relevant in the coming decades, if not preventive mitigation, remediation, and adaptation actions will be needed to lessen their impacts.
Download or read book Outlook on Water and Climate Change Vulnerability in the Western Balkans written by Lidija Globevnik and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The geographical scope of this report is the Western Balkans the regional delineation defined by the EU as the group of the countries in south-eastern Europe that are not part of the EU. The report presents current state, trends and future estimates that shape water availability, uses, opportunities and water related risks in the Western Balkans region. It also supports forward-looking knowledge by exploring different plausible futures and contributes to regional forward-looking analyses. The time frame of the report expands from the current state and trends to the mid-term (2031%2060) and long-term future (2061%2090), respectively. Climate change in terms of temperature, precipitation as well as future water availability (modelled discharge) has been assessed for 12 distinct catchments covering almost 80 % of the Western Balkans. Changes in water availability are accentuated in all scenarios, with discharges almost always lower in the long-term future. Even though the river discharges will most likely decrease, modelled projections indicate an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme hydrological events. The close proximity to the EU and the potential of many countries to join it provides the region with additional opportunities to cope with challenges of climate change. Common foreign policies should make the region stronger in relationship with international partners as well as provide a better environment to deal with transboundary and complex issues.
Download or read book Environmental Trends and Perspectives in the Western Balkans written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 171 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Statistics for a Green Future written by and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The European Union is a leading force in combatting climate change and environmental degradation, in Europe and in the world. A key priority of the EU is delivering the European Green Deal, which has set the blueprint for transforming the EU into a modern, resource efficient and competitive economy. The European Green Deal sets out a detailed vision to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, safeguard biodiversity, establish a circular economy and eliminate pollution, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected. Eurostat is supporting the efforts for delivering on the European Green Deal, and has recently launched a dashboard with 'Statistics for the European Green Deal', interactively presenting key developments in a wide range of policy areas concerned by the European Green Deal. These factsheets on Statistics for a green future on the Western Balkans and Turkey - 2022 edition present series of statistical data relevant to the European Green Deal policy areas on the Western Balkans and Turkey and compares them with EU data. The Western Balkans consists of Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. All of them, as well as Turkey, have a perspective to accede to the European Union and hence are also called 'enlargement countries'. In 2021, The European Union developed with the Western Balkans a forward-looking Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. One of the key elements of the thematic agenda is "promoting the implementation of the EU Green Deal in the Western Balkans". With data up to and including the year 2021, this publication contains indicators from various domains such as organic farming, generation of waste, renewable energy, energy production and consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and number of cars per person.
Download or read book Climate Change and Global Development written by Tiago Sequeira and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-05-08 with total page 303 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents new research related to climate change policies and effects. It discusses the implications of climate change on issues pertaining to international relations and economic development, and the question of how climate change could jeopardize the international system as we have known it until today. It aims to provide an empirical basis and epistemological framework to discuss the effects of climate change on economic growth, social development and welfare as a global phenomenon influenced by policies carried out transnationally and by national governments. Case studies from around the globe are presented.
Download or read book Competitiveness and Private Sector Development Western Balkans Competitiveness Outlook 2024 Regional Profile written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2024-06-26 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the six Western Balkan (WB6) economies depends on greater economic competitiveness. Although the gap is closing gradually, the standards of living in WB6 are well below those of the OECD and EU. Accelerating the rate of socio-economic convergence will require a holistic and growth oriented approach to policy making. This is the fourth study of the region (formerly under the title 'Competitiveness in South East Europe') and it comprehensively assesses policy reforms in the WB6 economies across 15 policy areas key to strengthening their competitiveness. It enables WB6 economies to compare economic performance against regional peers, as well as EU-OECD good practices and standards, and to design future policies based on rich evidence and actionable policy recommendations. The regional profile presents assessment findings across five policy clusters crucial to accelerating socio-economic convergence of the WB6 by fostering regional co-operation: business environment, skills, infrastructure and connectivity, digital transformation and greening. Economy-specific profiles complement the regional assessment, offering each WB6 economy an in-depth analysis of their policies supporting competitiveness. They also track the implementation of the previous 2021 study's recommendations and provide additional ones tailored to the economies’ evolving challenges. These recommendations aim to inform structural economic reforms and facilitate the region’s socio-economic convergence towards the standards of the EU and OECD.
Download or read book Atlas of Challenges and Opportunities in European Neighbourhoods written by Pierre BECKOUCHE and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-04-26 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This atlas provides a macro-regional overview of the areas that surround the European Union, from the Sahara to the Middle East, Western Balkans to European Russia, Turkey to the Arctic. Detailing key socio-economic data as well as developmental trends, the maps provide a comprehensive territorial analysis at a local scale and explore the potential for regional integration and cooperation.These pioneering maps examine challenges that threaten this wide, yet inter-connected, region, including environmental concerns in the North, political unrest in the East, social factors in the Western Balkans, and the upheaval in the Mediterranean since the Arab spring. Coverage investigates such key countries and areas as Libya, Israel, Palestine, Syria, and the Ukraine as well as explores such essential issues as Europe’s energy procurement. In addition, it also presents a comparison with other world regions such as East Asia and North America.In the end, readers discover that territorial integration faces many shortcomings, but that deep regional cooperation would be a key driver for the EU’s sustainable future. This atlas features the main results of the “Integrated Territorial Analysis of the Neighbourhoods” research project undertaken by ESPON (The European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion). It provides scholars; local authorities and NGOs involved in cross-border cooperation; companies interested in energy, agriculture, water, transportation and communication; and interested readers with key insights into this important region.
Download or read book The Changing Face of Rural Space written by Julian Lampietti and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2009-05-04 with total page 181 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although at different stages of development, the countries of the Western Balkans—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia—face similar challenges in transforming and modernizing their agricultural food production (agri-food) sectors. Their rural sectors have lagged behind the rest of the economy in growth and poverty reduction, their agri-food sectors are undercapitalized and highly fragmented, and their agro-processing capacities limited. Agricultural trade deficits are widening, climate change is posing increasing risks to farm incomes, and low-cost imports and changing consumer preferences are further eroding competitiveness. Added to this scenario are the challenges and opportunities of adopting the EU 'acquis communautaire' relating to agriculture. Based on recent World Bank reports prepared in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the European Commission Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development, 'The Changing Face of Rural Space: Agriculture and Rural Development in the Western Balkans' identifies what is constraining agricultural competitiveness in these countries, examines public expenditures in agriculture, and diagnoses key challenges for agricultural policy makers. The book expands on previous findings to provide a strategic policy framework for transforming and modernizing the agri-food sector and, in the context of region’s ongoing process of integration with the European Union, creating a dynamic rural space in the Western Balkans. The book offers Western Balkan governments and international donors a shared vision of the goals and directions their agriculture and rural development policies and programs might take.
Download or read book The Regional Impacts of Climate Change written by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Working Group II. and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1998 with total page 532 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cambridge, UK : Cambridge University Press, 1998.
Download or read book Europe and Central Asia Economic Update Fall 2021 written by World Bank and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2021-10-05 with total page 150 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although global economic activity is recovering and output in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is expected to grow in 2021, containing COVID-19 remains a challenge in the region. Enterprise survey data for the emerging and developing countries in the region show that COVID-19 had a profound and heterogeneous impact on firms. Smaller, younger, and female-run businesses were hit harder and had greater difficulty recovering. But the crisis also played a cleansing role and economic activity in ECA appears to have been reallocated toward more productive firms during the crisis, particularly in countries with more competitive markets. Firms with high pre-crisis labor productivity experienced significantly smaller drops in sales and employment than firms with low pre-crisis labor productivity and were also more likely to adapt to the crisis by increasing online activity and remote work. Many governments in ECA implemented broad policy support schemes to address the initial economic fallout from the crisis. Overall, this government support was more likely to go to less productive and larger firms, regardless of the level of their pre-crisis innovation. As economies enter the economic recovery phase, it will be important for policy makers in all countries to phase out broad policy support measures as soon as appropriate and focus on fostering a competitive business environment, which is key to a strong recovery, resilience to future crises, and sustainable, long-term economic growth.
Download or read book Balkan Biodiversity written by Huw I. Griffiths and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-03-19 with total page 356 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first attempt to synthesize current understanding of biodiversity in the great European hot spot. A diverse group of international researchers offers perspective on biodiversity at the level of the gene, species and ecosystem, including contributions on temporal change. Biological groups include plants, mammals, spiders and humans, cave-dwelling organisms, fish, aquatic invertebrates and algae.
