Dismay over tree felling in Belgrade, environmental impact assessment procedure brought into question
Belgrade, which plans to compete for the European Green Capital Award, has sparked uproar from experts and the broader public over the felling of 150 trees, which was not preceded by a public consultation. The trees are being felled over a EUR 15 million project to build a gondola lift to bridge the Sava River […]
Proper environmental impact assessment, cooperation with local community key for renewable energy projects
Renewable energy projects, especially those concerning small hydropower plants, have not been without controversy in the region, with investors often not acting in good faith. The other side of the coin is that investors that have done everything they were supposed to have often suffered damage over regulatory changes. In this interview, Zoran Obradović, managing […]
Construction of SHPP near Štrpce halted, Podgorica to host talks on hydropower in the region
Amid the public outcry against the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs) throughout the region, with the latest cases in Štrpce in Kosovo* and at the Krapska river in Macedonia, all interested parties will have the opportunity to exchange views during two meetings in Podgorica – a public debate on planned hydropower plants (HPPs) on […]
Ne Davimo Beograd initiative: Decision on contents of waste incinerator study annulled
Following a complaint filed by the Ne Davimo Beograd initiative, the Government of Serbia has annulled the Ministry of Environmental Protection’s decision determining the scope and contents of environmental impact assessment for a project to build a waste incinerator in the Belgrade suburb of Vinča, ordering a repeat of the procedure, according to a press […]
Ugljevik 3 power plant project not to use approved environmental permit
Bosnia and Herzegovina committed not to use the environmental permit issued as a result of the non-compliant environmental impact assessment procedure of the planned 600 MW Ugljevik 3 thermal power plant (TPP) in Republika Srpska, the Energy Community (EnC) Secretariat said in a press release. The commitment came as a result of mediation conducted under […]
Lack of public participation reason to challenge any permit granted for small HPP – Energy Community
Public participation is an essential part of environmental assessment procedures, which must be implemented by all Contracting Parties. If this obligation is not met the Secretariat will initiate a dispute settlement case to ensure that Energy Community (EnC) law is implemented in practice, said the EnC’s Secretariat in its statement on small hydropower (HPP) development, […]
Green Party proposes draft of new environmental impact assessment law over SHPPs
The Green Party has submitted a proposal of a draft new environmental impact assessment law to introduce a mandatory impact assessment for small hydropower plants (SHPPs), the party said on its website. The Green Party advocates a complete ban on the construction of SHPPs in protected areas and national parks. “Protected areas and national parks […]
Green Action sues ministry for giving green light for HES Kosinj hydropower complex
Croatia’s civil society organization Green Action has filed a lawsuit with the Administrative Court in Rijeka against the positive environmental impact assessment of the Environmental Protection and Energy Ministry for the HES Kosinj hydropower complex. In mid-June, Croatia’s state power utility (HEP) received approval from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy for the construction […]