New Data Reveal the Extent of Europe’s E-Waste Crisis, NGOs Call for Urgent Action

02.11.2025

e-otpad — Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

New Eurostat data released today exposes the scale of Europe’s overconsumption of electronics and the continued failure to properly collect and recycle e-waste.

Environmental NGOs are urging the European Commission to take decisive action in the upcoming revision of the Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation. Notably, they call for stronger and binding measures to prevent waste and promote repair, reuse and proper collection, including reuse targets, and robust EPR schemes with eco-modulated fees that hold producers accountable for their products throughout their life cycle.

Eurostat’s latest data confirm a worrying trend: more electronics are entering the EU market, and more e-waste is generated as a result. In 2023:

More than 14.4 million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment were sold in the EU – an increase of over 89 percent since 2012.
The highest per-capita consumers of electrical and electronic equipment in the EU were Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, and Italy, with consumption levels of 33.3 – 45.4 kilograms per person.
5.2 million tonnes of e-waste were collected – just 4.4 percent more than in 2022.
Collection rates are still alarmingly low across the EU, including for example in Germany, where only 29.5 percent of e-waste is properly collected and reported.
The lowest e-waste collection rates were recorded in Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, Netherlands and Hungary.

The rising consumption of electronic devices is depleting finite resources such as lithium, palladium, and copper, while increasing energy demand, and inflicting harm on human health and the environment during raw material extraction. The problem is made worse when products have a short lifespan, are difficult to repair, or improperly disposed of. These challenges are still common in Europe, where the average phone gets replaced every 3 years and average collection rate for WEEE is still at 37.5 percent.

Moreover, large quantities of e-waste keep being illegally discarded as residual waste or exported unlawfully. Improper disposal not only causes significant environmental damage, but also leads to lost opportunities for reuse and recycling of devices and materials, fires ignited by lithium-ion batteries, and the release of toxic pollutants.

To address these challenges, environmental NGOs are calling for ambitious and harmonised Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems that prioritise prevention, reuse and repair. Producers must be made responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products through mandatory participation in collective Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), eco-modulated fees, and producer-funded reuse and repair programmes. A more robust EPR framework would also improve collection rates by enhancing transparency and clarifying responsibilities for achieving collection, reuse and recycling targets.

Fynn Hauscke, Senior Policy Officer, Circular Economy and Waste, European Environmental Bureau (EEB), said:

“The surge in electronic waste mirrors our ever-increasing appetite for new devices – and with it, the growing strain on our planet’s finite resources. Every new smartphone, laptop or appliance consumes critical raw materials like lithium, palladium and copper, whose extraction comes at a high environmental cost. Unless Europe tackles overconsumption and strengthens producer responsibility, we will continue to exceed planetary boundaries.”

Fanny Rateau, Senior Programme Manager, Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), said:

“The EU needs to shift its e-waste mindset upstream and focus on waste prevention and reuse. Recycling should not be the priority – instead we need to make reuse and repair the norm. By including separate reuse and preparation for reuse targets in the revised WEEE Directive and prioritising product and component recovery over material recovery across legislation and standards, the EU can revitalise our used electronics, keeping them in use for longer. We can still turn the tide on the e-waste tsunami.”

Viktor Schödwell, Senior Expert, Environmental Action Germany (Deutsche Umwelthilfe – DUH) said:

“Increasing quantities placed on the market and poor collection results show that producer responsibility in the field of electronics is failing to meet important environmental targets. We therefore need to make producers genuinely accountable to reduce environmental impacts of their products to prevent the general public from bearing these costs. All producers must join a collective producer responsibility organisation which must be obliged to meet targets for collection, preparation for reuse and high-quality recycling and promote ecodesign.”

Source: EEB

Trgovska gora – A Quarter Century of Resistance to Nuclear Waste

26.10.2025

Trgovska Gora is a hilly-mountainous area on the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, which has come into the public spotlight due to Croatia’s plans to establish longterm storage facilities for radioactive waste from the Krško nuclear power plant at the Čerkezovac site. This has caused concern among residents over possible adverse effects on human health and the environment, given that the location is only a few kilometers from the River Una and populated areas in BiH.

The issue of Trgovska Gora dates back to 1999, when the Croatian Parliament adopted a decision designating the BiH-Croatia border area as the location for disposing of radioactive waste. Although Croatia initially had four potential sites available in 1997 – Psunj, Papuk, Moslavačka Gora, and Trgovska Gora – the BiH border site was the only one retained.

The Green Team Association has been engaged with the Trgovska Gora case since its founding in 2016, stating that Trgovska Gora is less suitable than the sites that were excluded, a conclusion confirmed by ten PhD experts from BiH.

– Within this case, there are a significant number of complicated segments, but the essence is really quite simple. Two EU member states benefited from the operation of the Krško nuclear power plant, and Croatia intends to push its share of the burden, in the form of radioactive waste, into the border area between Croatia and BiH. It is not neighborly, it is not in line with good practices, it is not fair, and it is not in line with the principles of sustainable development. However, BiH does not possess the same level of leverage as other countries, nor does it have sufficient international influence to resolve this issue at the negotiating table. For that reason, the struggle has lasted now for more than 25 years, with no clear end in sight, says Mario Crnković, president of the Green Team Association.

What Is Actually Planned

Crnković explains that Croatia intends to form practically two units at Trgovska Gora, referred to publicly as the so-called Radioactive Waste Management Center.

– The first thing they want, which is hardly ever discussed, is the establishment of a central storage site for institutional radioactive waste (IRAW) from Croatia. This would host an entire spectrum of hazardous waste from Croatia, ranging from that generated in science, research, industry, the military, and medicine. In addition, they intend to build a nuclear facility for the long-term storage of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste from Slovenia, says Crnković.

IN FOCUS:

Distance from the Una River

The entrance to the Čerkezovac barracks complex is located about 800 meters from the River Una, while the storage facilities are just over two kilometers away. The site was chosen so that the storage facilities are actually closer to the center of Novi Grad in BiH than to Dvor, a municipality in Croatia with about 2,000 inhabitants.

– When you draw a circle around that site, it is evident at first glance that most of the territory falls within BiH. Adding to that the slope of the terrain, groundwater, and prevailing winds, we conclude that this is a clear example of risk transfer to a neighboring country. For this reason, some ecologists have studied the extent to which this could be described as environmental racism, since the overlaps with the theory that explains this phenomenon are more than concerning, says Crnković.

He points out that Trgovska Gora is the primary reason young people are leaving Novi Grad, followed closely by economic and career-related reasons.

There is also the example of the protected area of Una Nature Park, whose development should be based on one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe, but which is now burdened by announcements of possible radioactive and other hazardous waste disposal.

– When it comes to environmental protection, it is difficult even to talk about it, because it falls into the background given the scale of the problem. When someone intends to build a nuclear facility in an area where there is strong opposition, where there is a very serious history of different conflicts, every time we mention that 39 fish species are being endangered, we get asked whether we have counted how many children will be at risk. What we need is harmony between humans and nature, cooperation and sustainable development, and yet someone else’s burden is being imposed, one that our children are left to suffer, emphasizes Crnković.

The Green Team Association is now conducting activities in three directions. The first is supporting the activities of the Expert Team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while also highlighting the importance of cooperation between institutions and civil society organizations when it comes to issues important to citizens. The second is monitoring the case and acting as a corrective factor.

– The Trgovska Gora case has a significant number of complexities, and given that Croatia is hiding relevant information, it is not rare that information reaches citizens before it reaches institutions in BiH. That is not good, but it is reality, that is the Balkans. That is the attitude of an EU member state toward a country aspiring to become one, says Crnković.

The third direction is preparing and creating materials and activities related to the case, since, as he puts it, “we do not have the luxury of waiting for institutions to act and then basing our comments on whether what they did was good or not.”

Given that Croatia has already begun construction work on Trgovska Gora, and that for 25 years they have in no way included the citizens of BiH, preparations are underway to appeal to committees for the implementation of various conventions.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

Birds of Serbia under Threat from Climate Change

22.10.2025

Foto-Nikola-Stevanović — Photo: Nikola Stevanović

All birds have, through evolution, adapted to specific environmental conditions – temperature, precipitation patterns, seasonal changes, and the availability of food. This complex ecological framework that enables their survival is now rapidly being disrupted under the influence of climate change. The increase in average temperature acts like pulling a thread from a carefully woven fabric: once that balance is disturbed, the entire ecological network begins to unravel. To what extent birds in Serbia are affected by these processes, why they are endangered, and whether society sufficiently recognizes the need for their protection was explained to us by Uroš Stojiljković from the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia.

– Almost every summer, we witness apocalyptic scenes, and even now, as we speak, images are circulating of the Gruža reservoir, which, due to drought, has reached a record low water level. It is an Important Bird Area (IBA), significant as a migratory corridor and a wintering site for birds, where nearly 200 species have been recorded. This means that breeding birds are left without nesting sites and conditions, food availability decreases, and the physical condition of both parents and chicks is impaired, which is particularly risky for migratory species, says our interlocutor.

He points out that birds, faced with unfavorable changes in their habitats, may attempt to find areas with better conditions. However, this opens a whole new set of challenges — a greater number of individuals are forced to share limited resources, face new competitors and predators, as well as diseases to which they are not adapted.

At the same time, many migratory birds, such as swallows, are arriving earlier each year, which makes them vulnerable to sudden weather changes. Last year, there was a mass die-off of urban swallows in Vojvodina, caused by a sudden cold spell at the end of summer, for which the young birds were unprepared. Climate disruptions, accompanied by increasingly frequent and destructive extreme events, also leave tragic consequences for other species. White storks are particularly threatened, as their nests on utility poles are exposed to strong winds and storms, resulting in significant losses every year. There are many such examples, and it is difficult to list them all, but they all share the same cause – the destabilization of the natural rhythm on which birds have based their survival for centuries.

Although it is impossible to single out climate change as the only factor behind the disappearance or drastic decline of certain species, it further complicates already existing threats such as poisoning, habitat alteration and loss, poaching, electrocution, and collisions.

IN FOCUS:

123 Endangered Species in the Red Book of Birds of Serbia

For species already endangered, climate change further reduces the chances of recovery. An illustrative example is the critically endangered eastern imperial eagle, whose population has been slowly recovering over the past eight years thanks to intensive protection measures. However, the adverse effects of climate change on this species are becoming increasingly evident in the field. Old trees suitable for nesting, which are already scarce in Vojvodina, are increasingly perishing due to prolonged droughts, weakening their structure. At the same time, solitary trees are being toppled by strong winds and extreme weather events. Such events directly destroy nests or displace chicks, further endangering an already fragile population.

According to the Red Book of Birds of Serbia, as many as 123 bird species are listed as endangered in one of the categories, which testifies to the scope of the problem we are facing.

In Serbian legislation, there are no explicit provisions pointing to specific measures that need to be applied to preserve natural values, biodiversity, or birds in the context of climate change. – That part of the legislation is clearly lagging behind, as is much else in the field of environmental protection, says our interlocutor.

Prepared by Milena Maglovski

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

Smart Farmland Protection – An Innovation by Young People from Mostar

19.10.2025

Agriculture is no longer reliant solely on human labor and experience, as technology is increasingly taking over key tasks. Innovations such as autonomous drones enable precise crop monitoring, quicker responses to problems, and more efficient resource management. This approach modernizes everyday work in the fields, eases the burden on farmers, and contributes to higher yields with lower costs.

Such an innovation has been developed by students of the University of Mostar, who launched a technological project set to change the way farmland is protected. It is an autonomous drone that independently monitors crops, with the aim of offering a practical and innovative solution to the problems faced by farmers.

The drone is accompanied by a functional application that allows farmers to easily enter and define the monitoring area on their land. The application then connects this data with the drone, which automatically monitors the designated sectors, detects threats such as diseases or intruders, and reports to the user in real time.

IN FOCUS:

Behind the name SkyGuard stands a team of young individuals (Vinko Jakeljić, Vedran Marić, Petar Vladić, Oliver Vujica, Nikola Šimunović, Mijo Galić, Mija Sabljić, Magladela Primorac, Antonija Kožul, Juraj Previšić, Ivan Galić, Mate Marić, and Blaž Perić), students of computer science, law, and other fields. This multidisciplinarity enables them to build SkyGuard not only as a technically advanced solution but also as one that is legally and commercially relevant, tailored to the real needs of farmers in the region. Explaining the project for Energy Portal Magazine was project leader Blaž Perić.

– SkyGuard is an innovative system that uses autonomous drones to protect farmland from theft and unauthorized access. The system consists of a drone, a base station, and a web platform that allows users simple management and real-time monitoring. The drones patrol defined routes, utilize advanced AI analytics to detect intruders (people, vehicles, animals), and automatically notify the user of any threat via the application, SMS, or email, according to Perić.

Their goal, as he points out, is for SkyGuard to become more than just a security system.

– The drone is equipped with a standard camera, a night-vision camera, and a thermal camera. Around the farmland, sensors are installed that, upon detecting an intruder, activate the drone, which then automatically takes off from the base, flies to the location, records the area, and sends the footage to the database. If it is an animal, a siren is activated to drive it away, explain the SkyGuard team.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

Apples as a Sustainable Alternative to Animal Leather

18.10.2025

priscilla-du-preez-CoqJGsFVJtM-unsplash — Photo: Unsplash/Priscilla du Preez

The world is constantly searching for sustainable solutions. Although it may seem like a modern topic, the debate over the use of leather and fur in fashion and interior design has been ongoing for decades, dating back to the 1970s, when animal rights organizations first began to challenge the ethics of using animal materials. During the 1990s, fashion brands faced protests and campaigns demanding an end to the use of leather and fur, while in the 2000s, the concept of ethical fashion developed, and more brands began switching to synthetic alternatives.

However, since synthetic leather is plastic-based, in recent years the focus has shifted toward plant-based options, which are both ethical and environmentally friendly. Materials made from pineapple, mushrooms, grapes, and apples have been under development since 2015, with commercial use expanding between 2017 and 2020. Today, plant-based leather is seen as a sustainable replacement that simultaneously addresses the issues of animal cruelty and plastic pollution.

Leather – although it cannot truly be called that – can now be produced from numerous alternative materials. Technically, these are not genuine leather but substitutes that imitate its appearance, texture, and functionality. They are often much more sustainable, cheaper to produce, and ethically acceptable since they do not involve animal products.

One of the most notable examples comes from Denmark. The company Beyond Leather Materials has developed an innovative material called Leap®, a sustainable and vegan alternative to natural leather. Leap is made from apple by-products – specifically, the leftover fibers from juice and cider production. Instead of discarding this biological waste, the company uses it as the base for a new material.

The name Leap comes from the abbreviation LEftover APples, and the raw material also includes natural latex, Tencel fabric, and a protective bio-coating. Leap consists of three layers: a fabric base, an apple layer, and a final protective coating. This creates a texture and look similar to leather, but without the use of animal ingredients or harmful chemicals. More than 85 percent of its composition is bio-based, and each square meter of Leap material prevents 1.8 kg of waste from ending up in landfills.

IN FOCUS:

In a world increasingly oriented toward sustainable solutions, apple waste – the remains from juice or cider pressing, such as peels, stems, and cores – becomes a resource. Globally, around three million tons of this waste (known as apple pomace) are generated annually, most of which is simply discarded. Although biodegradable, its large-scale disposal can have serious consequences: fermentation releases methane, affects soil, and creates additional costs for producers.

The Danish company sees precisely this waste as an opportunity for innovation. After seven years of development, Leap has become a high-quality material that is largely biodegradable, representing a sustainable alternative to animal leather and plasticized materials.

Leap is produced in rolls 1.5 meters wide, which is the industry standard, and has already been tested in the production of fashion accessories, furniture, interiors, and even the automotive industry. A new industrial production line in Germany, with a capacity of over 100,000 square meters per year, marked the company’s transition from research to serious production.

Beyond Leather Materials focuses exclusively on B2B cooperation (Business-to-Business), and Leap® is used as a material in industries that traditionally rely on leather, fashion accessories, interiors, furniture, and automotive components.

Interestingly, apple waste is not only useful for producing leather-like materials. It can also be used for generating bioenergy (biogas, bioethanol), extracting organic acids, aromas, antioxidants, and even bioplastics (biopolymers), as well as for producing fiber-rich food. However, Leap demonstrates how waste can be transformed into a high-value product with real market potential, particularly in the clothing and furniture industries, which are known for their high ecological footprint.

While traditional leather and its synthetic variants leave a significant negative impact on the environment, Leap and similar innovative materials change the way we think about waste – not as a problem, but as a resource. It symbolizes a paradigm shift: that it is possible to combine sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics. The material is certified as vegan-friendly, its production requires significantly less water, and it emits far less CO2 compared to traditional leather. It is adaptable, available directly from stock, and used in a wide range of products.

Leap is an example of how innovation can emerge from leftovers – and how the future of sustainable materials is already arriving in 1.5-meter-wide rolls, made possible by apples.

Prepared by Milica Vučković

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

InGrid: A Legacy Powering the Future

17.10.2025

A preserved façade, a reimagined purpose – discover how smart renovation turned a former industrial space into a high-performance hub that consumes less, delivers more, and inspires innovation.

Welcome to InGrid, the Schneider Electric Hub that proves sustainability starts with smart choices – not demolition. Once a production facility, now a vibrant center of innovation, InGrid retains its original structure – concrete pillars, skylights, and architectural backbone – while embracing a new logic of operation. It’s a bold statement: thoughtful renovation can unlock extraordinary value.

Instead of building anew, InGrid showcases the power of intelligent transformation. By integrating cutting-edge infrastructure, the building now consumes less energy, simplifies management, and elevates user comfort – all while honoring its industrial heritage.

At the core of InGrid is a digital nervous system. Heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and security are seamlessly connected, monitored, and optimized. The building responds in real time – ramping up when full, scaling down when empty. Daylight complements artificial lighting, and smart algorithms maintain a stable indoor climate. Its modular, open architecture means new technologies can be added effortlessly, keeping the space future-ready.

But InGrid is more than a building – it’s a collaboration hub. It brings together industry, education, and community through workshops, demos, and hands-on testing – from automation to e-mobility. Flexible zones (coworking spaces, classrooms, demo areas) adapt to every need, accelerating innovation and turning ideas into action.

User experience is front and center. Natural light, air quality, acoustics, and ergonomic design support focus and well-being. Smart LED lighting with presence and daylight sensors, plus heat recovery from the data center, make the building feel alive – learning, adjusting, and optimizing itself. The result? Less fatigue, easier maintenance, and technology that works quietly in the background while comfort takes the spotlight.

InGrid’s preserved materials and proportions give it a distinctive identity, while modern installations and signage bring clarity and rhythm. Every design choice serves a purpose – form follows function, and beauty emerges from performance.

This is a space where knowledge flows. Teams test real-world scenarios, partners validate solutions, and visitors witness data-driven decision-making in action. InGrid’s culture of learning and collaboration ensures it stays relevant, agile, and ready to embrace tomorrow’s technologies – without disruptive overhauls.

And perhaps most importantly, InGrid reminds us of a powerful truth: sustainable construction doesn’t always mean new construction. When existing assets are upgraded with intelligence and care, value grows — for users, for the neighborhood, and for the city.

InGrid isn’t just a building. It’s a beacon of smart infrastructure, a reference point for what’s possible when legacy meets innovation. It’s proof that the future can be built on the foundations of the past — efficiently, beautifully, and sustainably.

Schneider Electric

Danube4all – Restoring Danube Floodplains for the Benefit of Nature and People

15.10.2025

Veliko ratno ostrvo pogled sa Zemunskog keja — Photo: DANUBE4all

The Danube is much more than a river. It is a link between cultures, a vessel of stories written through history, and a legacy for future generations. Connecting ten countries along its course, it serves as an important route for trade and transport. The river provides water for millions of people, while its beauty is enriched by the diverse array of plant and animal species that inhabit it. Preserving the Danube is of exceptional importance for both nature and people, especially given that today as much as 80 percent of its floodplains are degraded and disconnected from the main watercourses that feed them. As emphasized by Marija M. Smederevac-Lalić from the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade, preserving the Danube is not only an environmental issue but also a matter concerning the future of the entire region.

DANUBE4all is a five-year Horizon Europe project that brings together 48 partners and associated partners from 14 European countries, with the goal of restoring freshwater ecosystems in the Danube Basin through the development of a scientifically based yet practical Danube Basin Restoration Action Plan. The project connects science and restoration practices, involving local communities as well as business actors.

– By the end of 2027, all EU member states are required to adopt national restoration action plans, which is why this project is in the public spotlight, says Marija.

Key ecological challenges addressed by the project include the loss of river connectivity due to damming and watercourse alterations, which lead to ecosystem degradation. The project also tackles biodiversity loss and the need for nature-based solutions, which can contribute not only to revitalization but also to economic development. In this context, Marija notes, the project aims to demonstrate the economic and social benefits of restored ecosystems, supporting long-term efforts for their protection.

– Our Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade, participates as a partner and leader of the work package focused on the scientific aspects of biodiversity. Our role is to assess the state of biodiversity, primarily using fish as bioindicator species – among the best indicators of aquatic ecosystem health – to highlight shortcomings and propose measures to be implemented for the restoration and protection of aquatic ecosystems in the Danube Basin, Marija explains.

The significance of the project also lies in the fact that concrete restoration measures are being carried out at three locations along the Danube – in the Upper Danube in Austria, the Middle Danube in Hungary, and the Lower Danube in Romania. Before implementing specific hydrotechnical renaturalization works, detailed monitoring was conducted, and after the measures are applied, post-monitoring of aquatic ecosystems will follow to determine the effectiveness of the activities.

IN FOCUS:

According to Marija, Western European countries have realized that urbanization and industrialization have severely endangered river ecosystems and riparian areas.

Besides harming nature, such impacts entail high financial costs. This is why investments are increasingly being directed toward nature-based solutions. These require habitat revitalization and renaturalization, providing an example of how effective measures can contribute to ecosystem sustainability and full use of ecosystem services that support both general and economic well-being.

– I assume that for many, the economic dimension of the project is particularly significant, and this project makes exactly that possible – the economic valorization of conserving and revitalizing natural resources, she adds.

Finally, Marija emphasizes the demonstration site in the Upper Danube in Austria, near Vienna, where partners plan to restore the natural dynamics of the river and its banks. The aim is to enable water to penetrate the floodplain once again and to transform an existing island into a wild one, which, once vegetation develops, will become a habitat for species characteristic of floodplain areas. This example is also important for Serbia, as similar wild islands near Belgrade need to be protected from conversion, urbanization, and industrialization.

The Role of Floodplains in Preserving Nature and Societal Well-Being

Floodplains are among the most valuable natural resources, as they simultaneously provide habitats for numerous species, contribute to maintaining a balanced climate, protect against flooding, and bring direct benefits to people.

Thanks to their unique characteristics, floodplains provide living space for a wide range of microorganisms, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals. As our interviewee pointed out, these areas can be viewed as “biological supermarkets” because they abound with food used by many animal species. The combination of shallow water, high levels of nutrients, and intensive primary production makes them ideal places for the development of organisms that form the foundation of the food chain. In addition, many species use these areas for breeding, raising offspring, as shelter, or as permanent habitats. Dead plant matter decomposes in water, creating detritus – fine particles of organic material that feed aquatic insects, mussels, and fish, which in turn serve as food for larger predators.

They also play a crucial role in maintaining global ecological cycles. Organisms found within them participate in the circulation of water, nitrogen, and sulfur. Today, many scientists believe that floodplains and wetlands may also function in maintaining the atmosphere. As our interviewee explained, these areas store carbon, thereby contributing to mitigating the effects of global climate conditions.

Floodplain habitats provide values that no other ecosystem can offer, such as natural improvement of water quality, flood protection, bank erosion control, opportunities for recreation and aesthetic enjoyment, as well as natural products we use. For these reasons, protecting such areas has a positive impact on human health and well-being.

Floodplains act like natural sponges – they retain and gradually release rainwater, melted snow, groundwater, and flood waves. Trees, roots, and riparian vegetation slow down water flow and allow its even distribution, thereby reducing the intensity of flood impact and soil erosion. These areas are significant for cities, as they alleviate extreme climate conditions and reduce the need for costly works such as excavations and the construction of embankments. They are also important for agriculture, as they prevent excessive crop inundation.

Prepared by Katarina Vuinac

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

Smart gardens – a technological response to climate challenges in agriculture

12.10.2025

PRINCIPIJELNA-ŠEMA — Illustration: Mihajlo Pupin Institute

Agriculture in Serbia faces significant challenges today. Climate change brings increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, while the average age of the farming population is high, and producers’ financial capacity is often limited. Added to this are problems in the organization of procurement and subsidy systems, forcing producers, especially smaller ones, to rely on their own resourcefulness and new knowledge to survive on the market.

In recent years, climate change has revealed its actual impact: prolonged droughts, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, heatwaves, and sudden frosts have become increasingly common occurrences. Traditional farming methods are increasingly unable to secure stable yields, so agriculture is gradually turning to technological solutions that can link nature and science, while at the same time safeguarding the economic interests of producers.

The Mihajlo Pupin Institute, Serbia’s leading research organization in the field of technical and technological sciences, has recognized the need to provide farmers with concrete tools to overcome the consequences of climate change. One of its most recent projects is the “Smart Garden” – an integrated system for planned irrigation and drainage of land, particularly suitable for openfield vegetable production.

How Automated Irrigation Is Changing Agriculture

The data clearly show the seriousness of the situation: in Serbia, every second year is a drought year, every third year has excessive rainfall, and only every fifth year falls within the range of the multi-year average. Moreover, rainfall patterns have changed – from March to June, there is more rain than needed, while from July to October, there is a pronounced lack of soil moisture. The “Smart Garden” was designed precisely as a response to such climate extremes.

The basic idea of the system is simple yet powerful: excess water during rainy periods is collected, stored, and utilized during droughts. Beneath the soil surface, a network of drainage pipes gathers water from the root zone of plants and directs it into reservoirs or storage basins. That water is later returned to the crops through a precise drip irrigation system or perforated hoses.

IN FOCUS:

What sets this system apart from conventional solutions is its full automation. The operation of drainage, pumps, and irrigation is managed by a PLC – programmable logic controller connected to sensors for moisture, temperature, and light. Based on the data collected by the sensors, the system itself decides when and how much to irrigate a given sector. An additional advantage of the “Smart Garden” is its energy independence. It is powered by a combination of a 3 kW small solar power plant and a 600 W wind turbine, which provide electricity for all key components – soil sensors, solenoid valves, control units, and water pumps. In this way, the system becomes completely energy independent, without the need for additional power sources from the grid.

There is also the possibility of liquid fertigation – the application of dissolved nutrients directly through the drip irrigation system. Nutrients are thus added in precisely controlled amounts and during the plant growth phases when they are most needed, thereby contributing to optimal growth and higher-quality yields.

The entire system is managed by MobiSun – a device that is at the same time the “brain” of the process. It not only produces electricity from solar panels but also serves as a communication hub, transmitting sensor data remotely to the farmer’s computer or mobile application. This allows the user to monitor crop conditions in real time and adjust system parameters even when not physically present in the field. A pilot project carried out in the village of Belegiš, municipality of Stara Pazova, in cooperation with the Institute of Agricultural Economics, showed that such technology delivers tangible results. The system user achieved up to 30 percent higher income on the same land area, thanks to more stable yields and reduced damage from weather extremes.

As emphasized by Prof. Aleksandar Rodić, PhD from the Mihajlo Pupin Institute, the time when smart systems were a luxury has passed – today they are a necessity for anyone who wants stable, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible production. The “Smart Garden” demonstrates that agriculture in Serbia does not have to be hostage to weather conditions – technology can provide it with security, resilience, and competitiveness.

Prepared by Milena Maglovski

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

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