Environment
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.
Citizens dig up illegal waste, take it to Zrenjanin mayor
14 June 2021 - Citizens and activists dug up some of the waste that they say was dumped by a plastics recycling plant and brought it in front of the Zrenjanin Town Hall
Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Croatia have highest PM2.5 air pollution in EU
14 June 2021 - The countries have the highest values of PM2.5 category of particulate matter in the European Union, according to Eurostat.
Role of women in sustainable management of natural resources in Drina river basin – register for workshop
10 June 2021 - The workshop “Gender dimensions in the sustainable management of natural resources through a Nexus approach in the Drina River Basin” is to take place on June 23. Read more and register.
EU is revising state aid guidelines for climate, energy, environment
10 June 2021 - The EU is revising state aid rules for the environment and energy. It proposed a competitive bidding system and covering up to 100% of funding gaps.
North Macedonia to revoke concessions for small hydropower plants
08 June 2021 - Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said most concession contracts for small hydropower plants in North Macedonia would be annulled regardless of possible litigation
Rio Tinto buying land for Serbia lithium mine before investment decision
07 June 2021 - Vučić hinted at holding a local referendum on letting Rio Tinto mine lithium. Activist Marija Alimpić said 36 families already sold their properties and left.