Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains

and there is no specific policy addressing the risk of livestock losses related to extreme weather events during winter including through insurance schemes.

Increased mortality and morbidity

Key Policy gaps:

Risk of death or injury due to flooding. Risk of outbreaks of existing or novel diseases among displaced populations after flooding events. At the EU-level there are institutional initiatives, such as the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (Croatia, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia and Serbia) that provide at least partial coverage of the risk of human losses during various types of disasters. The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South- EasternEuropealsodevelopsprogrammes andprojects aimed at strengthening the capacity to prevent and respond to natural and man-made disasters, including floods. However, neither climate change nor mountain issues seem to be taken explicitly into consideration. Likewise, in national health sector legislation, the issues of climate change and adaptation to it are not adequately integrated. However, in some countries there are wide-ranging activities that are beneficial to adaptation purposes. These can, for example, be aimed at minimizing the health-related effects of extreme events, including through early warning systems. Only a few countries have adopted public health strategies which specifically address climate change adaptation. Examples of good practice include Albania and FYR Macedonia, which have adopted Climate Change Health Adaptation Strategies. These also cover the integration of health systems into the national emergency structures responsible for floods and other natural disasters related to climate change. The Red Cross in Croatia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and regional public health institutes, works on building capacities of workers in the health sector to cope with the effects of climate change. However, none of the abovemeasures take into account mountain areas.

Risk of death or injury due to wildfires. Both the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe contribute to addressing the consequences of wildfires on human populations in the Western Balkans. Just as for health-related issues due to flooding, the risk of increased casualties linked to wildfires is dealt with mostly through multi-risk preventive activities addressing extreme events and its impacts on human health. This is especially the case within Albania, FYR Macedonia and Serbia. • Lack of/limited adequate inter-sectoral cooperation on health-related climate impacts due to floods • Lack of/limited adequate vertical integration from EU to local administrations • Lack of/limited adequate inter-sectoral cooperation on health-related climate impacts due to wildfires • Lack of/limited adequate vertical integration from EU to local administrations Risk of death from cardiovascular diseases in vulnerable populations (especially the elderly); increased morbidity in the form of lung inflammation or asthma due to heatwaves. Only a few countries in the Western Balkans adequately address the increased risk of mortality Key Policy gaps:

Key Policy gaps:

• Risk not addressed by existing policies

• Risk not addressed by existing policies Following the adoption of the Belgrade Initiative, the South East European Virtual Climate Change Centre (SEEVCCC) was established and hosted by the National Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia. It provides monitoring and prediction of climate and weather conditions for the whole West Balkan region. Its operational products include monthly and seasonal forecasts (over seven months) of basic parameters (such as maximum and minimum temperatures, and precipitation). These can be used by decision- makers to integrate climate concerns into sectoral policies such as agriculture, tourism and health, thus contributing to minimizing economic and livelihood losses as well as other adverse impacts on society. For further information, visit http://www. seevccc.rs Monitoring and prediction: The South-East European Virtual Climate Change Center (SEEVCCC) GOOD PRACTICES

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