Towards greener agenda for Western Balkans

“Western Balkans hosts rich biodiversity, including many threatened, rare and endemic species, and relatively large unspoiled ecosystems. From nature we get food and water, energy and medicine, climate regulation support and disaster risk mitigation, among other benefits. Today, as we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity, there is a need to recognize the value […]

NGOs file lawsuits against small hydropower plants on Neretva, Neretvica rivers

Non-governmental organizations have filed or drafted lawsuits against the competent ministries in the Federation of BiH and the Republic of Srpska, the entities comprising Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), for non-compliance with law in the procedure of approving the construction of five small hydropower plants (SHPPs). BiH also made news a few weeks ago when, despite […]

UNECE launches study, tool-kit for for sustainable renewable energy investments and deployment

A study by UNECE on linkages between renewable energy and nature and food production was created alongside mechanisms for political leaders, companies and representatives of affected communities to address issues and come up with mutually beneficial plans. UNECE said stakeholders can come up with win-win options in the renewables-water-food-ecosystems nexus through dialogue. Experience and research […]

Interdependence of human well-being and biodiversity

How much do we know about benefits that biodiversity provides us day-to-day? Or do we only think of it when facing extraordinary circumstances? Don’t we enjoy the recently rejuvenated rivers and seas, the fresh air, striving greenery and enhanced hearing of birds’ songs in urban silence? Biodiversity is the ingredient of all of our life […]

Guidelines on ecosystem services, their assessment and evaluation in Western Balkans

Author: Nikola Stojnić, Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province, Serbia On the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity 2020, Nikola Stojnić from the Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province, Serbia, reminds us of a concept of ecosystem services, which as a link between biodiversity and human wellbeing, should be included in decision-making […]

Hidroelectrica plans to install first offshore wind park in Black Sea

Romania’s biggest power producer laid out an ambitious long-term plan to its shareholders, leaning to a large extent on funds it expects from the European Green Deal. Hidroelectrica proposed to develop capacities in hydropower, biomass, photovoltaics, chargers for electric vehicles, hydrogen and wind turbines including an offshore wind park in the Black Sea of as […]