President Rumen Radev vetoes higher taxes for older cars sought over air pollution
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has vetoed changes to the corporate income tax law introducing higher taxes on older cars in a push to tackle air pollution in the country. According to the presidential office’s press release, higher levies would not have the desired environmental impact. In 2017, Bulgaria was the first country to be sentenced […]
Albania bans imports of cars over 10 years old, not meeting Euro 5 emission standard from 2019
The Albanian government has adopted a decision banning imports of cars older than 10 years and not meeting the Euro 5 emission standard as of January 1, 2019, in an effort to reduce air pollution, the Albanian media reported. Under the government’s decision, cars produced more than 10 years ago and imported into Albania by […]
SEPA report: Excessive air pollution registered in Belgrade, other Serbian cities in 2017
The Serbian capital Belgrade had excessive air pollution throughout the 2010-2017 period, except in 2014, mostly due to particulate matter PM10, but also due to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions, according to the Serbian Environmental Protection Agency’s (SEPA) 2017 Annual Report on the Environment. PM10, defined as inhalable particles with diameters generally 10 micrometers and smaller, […]
Užice announces EUR 2 million energy efficiency investment in schools for 2019
The City of Užice has announced a EUR 2 million energy efficiency investment in seven schools for 2019 as part of the energy efficiency program jointly implemented with the Swiss Cooperation Office. Užice Deputy Mayor Nemanja Nešić said that the energy efficiency program, financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), is designed […]
Measures to tackle air pollution inefficient, financing inadequate – analysis
An analysis of the National Audit Office (NAO) identifies the inefficiency of measures and the inadequacy of financing as key reasons for poor results in tackling air pollution in Bulgaria. The NAO analysis is part of a collective audit by 15 audit offices in the region and the EU, covering the period from 2014 to 2017. […]
Construction of Serbia’s first geothermal district heating system kicks off
The municipality of Bogatić should get Serbia’s first geothermal district heating system by the beginning of the heating season, with this renewable energy source to be first used to heat public facilities and later to be made available to individuals and businesses, representatives of the municipality announced. The new geothermal heating system will result in […]
China’s Belt and Road in Balkan coal dead end & why the EU should care
Author: Igor Kalaba, Energy Policy Coordinator for South East Europe, CAN Europe Governments in the Western Balkans have developed a liking for taking out Chinese loans to buy new Chinese coal plants in order to burn Balkan coal. These loans are presented to the public as investments although both China and Balkan governments know that […]
Serbia needs to boost environmental investment by EUR 500 million annually to tackle “critical” situation – Fiscal Council
The Fiscal Council has called for significantly stepping up investment in environmental protection in Serbia, noting that there is ample room to do so through the 2019 state budget now that the country’s public finances have stabilized. Serbia is one of the most polluted countries in Europe, which is jeopardizing the health of the population […]
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