EU helps preparations for emissions trading system

Project ‘Creation of a Monitoring, Reporting and Verifying System for Successful Implementation of EU Emissions Trading System’ was successfully implemented, said Oskar Benedikt, deputy head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia. At a presentation in Belgrade, he stressed that the effects of climate change are already felt, such as increased temperature with “partial consequence” being greater influx of refugees. The project is aimed at harmonisation of Serbian legislation with the EU and continuous monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions stemming from industrial and power plants. Ambassador of France to Serbia Christine Moro said that fighting climate change was at the same time “an opportunity and a source of innovation and increased competitiveness.”

The two-year endeavour was funded by the EU with EUR 1 million and implemented in cooperation with French, German and Austrian government institutions as well as through the support from EU Delegation to Serbia. Benedikt also said that every country, including Serbia, would require a lot of money to adapt to climate change and added that EU was willing to support Serbia in that regard.

Investment in decreasing greenhouse gases emission is one of possible contributions in reviving Serbian industry and ensuring its competitiveness in the long run, said Serbian minister of agriculture and environmental protection Snežana Bogosavljević Bošković. She added Serbia was required to implement the component dealing with monitoring, reporting and verifying in the first phase, whereas the beginning of emission trading system depends on the outcome of EU accession negotiations with European Commission. The minister pointed out that 128 industrial and power plants would be responsible for implementation of monitoring, reporting and verifying greenhouse gases emission during the implementation of the project.

Bogosavljević Bošković said there are 128 industrial and energy facilities which will need to report on their emissions. The system will be established in 2017, she added.