Slovenia declares drinking water a basic human right in constitution

Slovenian parliament voted for a constitutional amendment to declare the access to drinking water a basic human right. The move has rendered any privatisation of water resources impossible, since the resources will be managed by the state. Slovenian parliament has adopted an amendment to Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia on November 17, which declared water […]

Water November 21, 2016

Impressions from the 23rd World Energy Congress by Serbian energy experts

By Nikola M. Tomasović  and Mihailo B. Mihailović The 23rd World Energy Congress “Embracing New Frontiers” was held in Istanbul from October 9 to 13, provided a unique opportunity to take a global view on long-term energy issues including visions and scenarios for the future. The Congress is established as the most influential gathering of […]

Features November 14, 2016

Understanding energy efficiency investments – a global perspective

By Qendresa Rugova, Burg Capital GmBH, Vienna esa.rugova@burgcapital.com This article is part of a series of two articles on energy efficiency investments covering (1) investment characteristics from a global perspective and (2) existing and emerging financing models for energy efficiency investments and their applicability in the Balkan region. Energy efficiency is an integral part of […]

Features February 25, 2016

UNDP publishes country snapshots on climate change

By Christoph S. Henrich, Sustainable Energy Consultant, Istanbul Regional Hub, United Nations Development Programme in Europe and Central Asia  E-mail: christoph.henrich@undp.org One problem of the international climate change debate is that the information presented in technical documents, such as in national communications that are submitted by parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), […]

Serbia to ratify climate change deal within one year

The agreement adopted on December 12 at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP21) in Paris should be ratified by Serbia within one year, the country’s minister of agriculture and environmental protection Snežana Bogosavljević –Bošković said, Beta news agency’s environmental section Zelena Srbija reported. “The plan is to complete the signing and ratification within one year,” […]

Action plan for Belgrade won’t remain on paper

Citizens will be informed every year on the implementation of measures from the Assessment of Vulnerability to Climate Change and the Action Plan for Adaptation, Belgrade city manager Goran Vesić said at the presentation of the document. He underscored the authorities will not let the plan become a dead letter. Vesić reminded that Belgrade’s assembly […]