Belgrade earmarks EUR 5.2 billion for green development by 2030

The City of Belgrade published the drafts of its Green City Action Plan and the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan for the period until 2030 for public insight. It earmarked EUR 5.2 billion for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to counter climate change, and for air quality improvement.

The Japanese government and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – EBRD funded the development of two strategic documents that are available for public insight until March 17 with the accompanying reports on strategic environmental impact assessments. The draft Green City Action Plan (GCAP) and Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Belgrade for the ten years through 2030 have been produced in coordination and they have complementary goals.

The City of Belgrade plans investments and stimulus in areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, afforestation and reforestation, sustainable mobility and measures against pollution. It estimated EUR 5.2 billion would be spent for the cause.

All city-owned vehicles in Belgrade to be electric by 2030

The draft SECAP says the city has the obligation to lower carbon dioxide emissions by at least 40%, as stipulated in the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, which the capital of Serbia joined in 2018. The local authority added fulfilling the target would increase the resilience to climate change impacts. The EBRD developed the methodology with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI).

Private investment is seen at 36% of the total sum

According to the goals from the plan, 40% of buses in the city should be powered by electricity, compared to 80% for taxis, 100% of city-owned vehicles, 80% of commercial and 20% of private vehicles. Private investment should make up 36% of the total sum.

Most investments are intended for energy efficiency

GCAP’s main goal is to improve air quality. The draft reveals that EUR 2.9 billion out of the EUR 5.2 billion would be invested by 2026. The city needs to participate with EUR 3.3 billion.

Transportation accounts for EUR 1.2 billion of the total and EUR 2.9 billion was earmarked for energy and energy efficiency.

Belgrade plans to spend EUR 950 million by 2030 for the purchase of electric buses and those that use renewable sources of energy. The intended budget for 1,000 electric bicycles, integrated with the public transportation system, and 150 rental stations, is EUR 6.45 million. The authorities earmarked EUR 33 million for the pedestrian and bicycle network.

According to the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Belgrade, 493 kilometers of bikeways and pedestrian tracks will be built. The targest include an increase in the share of walking and cycling in transportation to 5% from less than 2%.

Renewable energy sources

GCAP involves the development and expansion of the heating network to 97,000 consumers, renewal of city-owned and residential buildings together with the deployment of renewable energy, the introduction of natural gas and raising the share of gas from renewable sources in the system.

Belgrade has eight locations for wind power units with a total estimated capacity of 111 MW

The authors noted the municipal waste recycling rate must rise to 20% by 2025 and to 65% by 2035, in line with the European Union’s targets. There is a waste incinerator under development in Vinča, in the east of Belgrade territory. It is projected to have an electricity generating capacity of 30.2 MW and another 56.5 MW of heat. There will be a landfill gas power plant at the same location, with a capacity of 3.1 MW and 1.8 MW, respectively, the action plan shows.

The document highlights a geothermal source below ground with a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. The wind energy potential was examined in eight locations and the total capacity is estimated at 111 MW.

Belgrade vowed to increase the size of its forests by 10% by 2025. The budget for the purpose until 2029 is projected at EUR 100 million.