Sarajevo to make inventory of households’ furnaces as a step to reduce air pollution

The Sarajevo Canton has officially started preparing a ten-year strategy to reduce the use of coal to reduce excessive air pollution. The first step on the path is the mapping of all household furnaces and boilers.

The push to create the database demonstrates the determination of the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina to seriously address the issue that jeopardizes public health. It is supported by several other activities, such as subsidies for citizens to replace coal stoves and boilers, and the research of geothermal energy potential initiated by district heating utility Toplane Sarajevo.

The citizens’ social status will be taken into consideration while limiting the use of coal

Significant improvement in air quality cannot be achieved without a systematic and strategic approach to heat generation and without restricting the use of coal and other solid fuels, but the social status of households must be taken into account, according to the Government of the Sarajevo Canton.

Information on household furnaces will be gathered during a survey of Sarajevo districts

The preparation of the strategy for restricting the use of coal and other solid fuels for the period 2021-2031 has been started by the Ministry of Spatial and Environmental Protection of the Sarajevo Canton and the United Nations Development Programme.

Due to the lack of input data, a GIS database of household furnaces in the Sarajevo Canton must be obtained first. They will be listed according to research across the city. Surveyors will determine the type of fuel, characteristics of furnaces and chimneys as well as the heat distribution method.

Total emissions and air quality impact of all household furnaces using solid fuel will be calculated

The aim is to calculate total emissions and air quality impacts of all household furnaces burning solid fuel. A dispersion model will be used for the analysis, followed by proposals for improving the control over emissions and chimney cleaning services.

The government expressed the intention to upgrade the control over furnaces and fuels and their certification and analysis of population exposure together with energy efficiency measures in households. The local authority said it would improve legislation.

The strategy will propose measures divided into three scenarios

The strategy will provide a set of measures divided into three scenarios and deliver an analysis of all projected effects of all measures alongside an assessment of the resources needed for implementation. When selecting and proposing measures, experiences and best practices of countries in the European Union will be taken into account and so will the possibilities on the local level, the Government of Sarajevo Canton said.