Environment
Coal power stations in Western Balkans emit twice as much SO2 as EU plants
13 July 2021 - The Western Balkans’ 18 coal-fired power plants released twice as much sulfur dioxide in 2019 as all 221 such facilities in the EU.
Serbia enables state agriculture land to be leased for solar, wind projects
12 July 2021 - The Government of Serbia adopted the decree on the leasing of state-owned agricultural land for non-agricultural use.
Serbia’s Ministry of Energy files charges against ex-minister of environmental protection over small hydropower plants
12 July 2021 - Serbia's Ministry of Mining and Energy filed criminal charges against the ex-environment minister and the Director of the Institute for Nature Conservation
Belgrade, Zagreb, Skopje out of race for European Green Capital 2023 as Sofia makes it to final four
08 July 2021 - Sofia is among the finalists for the European Green Capital 2023 award, while Belgrade, Zagreb, and Skopje are out of the race.
Only a handful of EU countries ban single-use plastics as deadline expires
06 July 2021 - The EU's deadline to ban single-use plastics has passed, but only a handful of member states have done enough to comply.
Women in Drina basin have power to solve environmental threats
03 July 2021 - Participants of the workshop said an increasing number of women from different spheres are becoming active in efforts to protect the environment and that they have the enthusiasm and energy to combine their strengths to create models for sustainable development with a particular focus on gender issues.
Nine Western Balkan mayors sign declaration to tackle air pollution
01 July 2021 - Nine Western Balkan mayors have signed a declaration to undertake voluntary measures aimed at reducing air pollution in their cities and municipalities.
Amnesty condemns defamation lawsuits against environmentalists in Kosovo*
29 June 2021 - Small hydropower plant owner KelKos launched defamation lawsuits against Shpresa Loshaj and Adriatik Gacaferi to intimidate and silence them, Amnesty International claims
Divers pull out 15 tons of waste in underwater clean-up on Vis island
28 June 2021 - Croatian divers have pulled out nearly 15 tons of waste in an underwater clean-up operation on the Adriatic island of Vis.
Green for Growth Fund attracts EUR 135 million in green finance in 2020
28 June 2021 - The Green for Growth Fund's Impact Report for 2020 revealed that it attracted EUR 135 million in investments and technical assistance commitments
Residents of Veliki Crljeni sue power utility EPS due to pollution from coal power plant Kolubara A
24 June 2021 - This is the first time citizens are seeking protection of personality rights, based on the European Convention on Human Rights.
Wind turbine blades must become 100% recyclable by 2025
21 June 2021 - WindEurope said the EU should ban landfilling of decommissioned wind turbine blades by 2025 and vowed to work on recycling solutions
Civic group urges ban on advertising, sponsorships for fossil fuel firms
17 June 2021 - The EU registered a European citizens' initiative entitled Ban Fossil Fuel Advertising and Sponsorships, which compares fossil fuels with tobacco
Academician Stevanović (SANU): Rio Tinto’s jadarite mine could cause irreversible damage
16 June 2021 - Vladimir Stevanović has told Balkan Green Energy News that there is no doubt that the mine would cause more harm than good.
North Macedonia to roll out ecotax for oil, slash VAT for electricity to 5%
16 June 2021 - An ecotax of 5.7 cents will be introduced in North Macedonia for oil and the value-added tax on electricity will be cut to 5% from 18% for one year.
Serbia preparing framework to issue sovereign green bonds
16 June 2021 - Serbia is getting ready to raise funds through green bonds. CBI head Sean Kidney said they are more attractive to investors than ordinary debt securities.