Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains

The Western Balkan countries have been Participants in the South-East Europe Transport Observatory (SEETO) since 2006. Each country has a national coordinator to establish a SEETO Comprehensive Network Development Plan to show progress in the development of transportation infrastructure within and between the countries. This assessment found that the legislation governing transportation infrastructure in the Western Balkan countries offered little or no information about adaptation to climate change, although laws relating to infrastructure development overall do state that the impacts of The UNDP-GEF project Support to Sustainable Transport in the City of Belgrade was initiated in 2011. Project activities include institutional support and policy development, public awareness campaigns, and promotion of alternative modes of transportation, as well as the implementation of pilot projects to improve road safety, and education on environmental protection and transportation. Expected results of the project are: • the development of a Sustainable Urban Transport Plan for Belgrade • a shift towards clean and energy-efficient transportation • increased safety of cyclists • reduced traffic flow • awareness-raising on sustainable transportation • capacity building for professional drivers, and • a reduction of 285 tons of CO 2 emissions per year. Sustainable transportation in the city of Belgrade (GEF-funded)

Electric trolleybuses in Belgrade, Serbia

climate change should be taken into consideration. While the laws differ in each country and some do make reference to pollution, in general they are not directly concerned with ecological or climate issues. For example, Serbia has partially focused on adaptation by developing a project for sustainable transportation, but only at the city level (Belgrade). On the other hand, BiH recognizes sustainable development as one of its strategic goals in its Development Strategy of 2010, which also includes transportation and communications issues, as well as environmental protection. Meanwhile, the Kosovo 1 Climate Change Strategy 2014–2024 refers to some adaptation measures, including the

development of a more environmentally sensitive road infrastructure, use of better-quality fuel, and use of alternative, lower emission transportation. It should be noted that adaptation measures for the transportation, infrastructure and communication sector in the Western Balkan countries are not explicitly stated as being for adaptation, and there are no adaptation measures or strategic goals for the mountain regions. Gender issues are not taken into consideration in the transport, infrastructure and communication sector.

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