Solving environment-related problems and protecting the environment are still the top priorities and challenges for both people living in the Republic of Serbia and state institutions. In 2023, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, together with local governments and partners, worked on solving these problems, primarily those related to improving air quality, waste management, and protecting natural habitats.
The 2022-2023 Air Protection Program in the Republic of Serbia determined the total costs related to its implementation, which are approximately 2.6 billion euros. This program was adopted in December 2022, together with the Action Plan covering the period from 2022 to 2026. It will cost around 2.1 billion euros to implement.
In February 2023, the Ministry launched a competition to replace boilers and individual fire pits, while in September of the same year, it launched another public call for the replacement of boilers in heating plants and public institutions, to which it allocated additional financial resources. According to the Minister of Environmental Protection, Irena Vujović, a total of 27 cities and municipalities benefitted from the first tender. In contrast, funds for projects in 12 local governments were provided via the second tender.
“With the implementation of the projects from the second tender, coal and fuel oil boilers in 14 elementary schools, two preschools, two municipal administration buildings, three health centers and one cultural centre will be replaced by boilers that use more environmentally friendly energy sources“, specified the Minister.
IN FOCUS:
- PRECISE STRATEGIES AND PLANS FOR MITIGATING THE CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
- A NATURAL SOLUTION FOR SLOWER DECAY OF FRUITS AND FAGETABLES
- INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY IS THE KEY TO CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
To improve air quality and combat climate change, on June 1, the Government adopted the Low Carbon Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia for the period from 2023 to 2030 with projections until 2050. Adopting this Strategy is prescribed by the Law on Climate Change to determine strategic directions of action and public policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the entire economy. In late 2023, the Government also adopted the Program for Adaptation to Changed Climate Conditions from 2023 to 2030, which prescribes the process of adaptation to such conditions systematically and based on scientifically based results on climate change in Serbia. The Program includes an analysis of eight-month climate changes and future climate change scenarios. The Action Plan covering the period from 2024 to 2026 was adopted under the Program’s auspices, which contains 25 measures, as well as the financial, institutional and time frame for their implementation and monitoring.
As another measure to improve air quality, the Government passed the Regulation on the subsidized purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles, and the Ministry subsequently allocated subsidies in March.
Improving waste management for better air quality and a cleaner environment
Unregulated landfills are a challenge and problem that people across Serbia live with daily. To solve this problem, 30 local governments proposed projects to prevent illegal waste dumping in 2023 and subsequently received funding. The action lasted until September 15, and as a result, more than 170 such locations were cleaned.
Also, in 2023, unsanitary landfills in Ruma, Požega and Zrenjanin were closed and rehabilitated.
In July, the contract for constructing the state-of-the-art regional waste management center called Eco Tamnava, located in the village of Kalenić in the Ub municipality, was signed, followed by construction in October. After the project is finished, the problem with waste management in 15 locations will be systematically solved. Transfer stations, recycling centers, a biological waste treatment plant, and other supporting infrastructure will be built as part of the project.
A vital planning document, the Sludge Management Programme in the Republic of Serbia, was adopted for the first time in Serbia last year. It covers the period from 2023 to 2032 and aims to establish a safe, sustainable, and cost-effective sludge management system for municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Regarding the construction of the missing sewage grid, relevant work was carried out last year in Niš, Pećinci, Gornji Milanovac, Boljevac and Raška. The construction of approximately 140 kilometers of the sewage grid is expected to be finished by the end of 2024 and 2025, respectively, depending on the location.
Prepared by Katarina Vuinac
Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.
