Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains

Water Presently the Western Balkan countries are some of the most water-rich in Europe with regards to the amount of water available per person (10,600 cubic metres, which is twice the European average) (World Bank, 2003). Most of this water originates from the mountainous headwaters (García-Ruiz et al. , 2011), and several countries receive a significant share of their water from other countries through transboundary rivers. 3 Water resources have always played an important role in the economy of Western Balkans countries, and are exploited for irrigation, drinking water supply, industrial needs, livestock Key risks for relevant sectors and ecosystems production and tourism. Agriculture still plays an important role in the economies of the region and employment, despite its overall decline compared with industry and the services sector. 4 Almost 50 per cent of land in the region is used for agriculture: 19 per cent as pastures and 29 per cent for arable land and permanent crops. This sector is heavily water- dependent, where disruptions in the precipitation regime and a higher risk of drought and extreme weather have significant implications on the stability of the sector. Water resources are also used to generate electricity. On average, about 37 per cent all electricity generated comes from hydropower, although this is much higher in Albania (100 per

cent), Croatia (42 per cent) and Montenegro (45.3 per cent). Hydropower can be affected by accelerated evaporation and drought, and changes in the timing and volume of flow to storage systems. More frequent extreme events, such as flooding, may also threaten all types of energy infrastructure, with the associated increase of maintenance costs. The region faces a number of common water issues across all countries, including weak transboundary cooperation and pollution. Climate change poses additional challenges to water availability, quality and management. Following the breakup of former Yugoslavia, there are more than 13 internationally

Projected decline in days with snow cover for the 2050s

CROATIA

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Days

SERBIA

-50

-40

MONTENEGRO Kosovo*

-30

-20

Baseline period 1971-2000. *This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in linewithUNSCR1244/99 and the ICJOpinionon theKosovo declaration of independence.

FYR MACEDONIA

-10

ALBANIA

Source:C.Schneideretal.,2013, “Howwillclimatechange modify riverflow regimes inEurope?”, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, n.17, pp.325-339.

100 km

Mavrovo ski centre, FYR Macedonia

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