Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains

Risk of displacement of people and communities due to wildfires. Some cities, such as Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Pristina (Kosovo 1 ), are reported to have Emergency Response, Fire Protection and Evacuation Plans in place.

water management sectors. However, national plans containing specific initiatives on climate change adaptation that are related to land resources have been implemented.

Key Policy gaps:

Key Policy gaps:

• Lack of/limited institutional coordination across sectors • Lack of/limited adequate vertical integration from EU to local administrations

• Scarce regional/national/local policy coverage for adaptation to forest fires causing displacement of population • Lack of/limited institutional coordination across sectors • Lack of/limited adequate vertical integration from EU to local administrations

Impaired ecosystem functioning and loss of species

Mountain landscape in Bosnia and Hercegovina

Risk of loss of valuable species and habitats due to rising temperatures. Risk of changes and disruption to ecosystems leading to loss of ecosystem services and change of ecosystems distribution and diversity (e.g. migration of species to higher altitudes), due to rising temperatures. Besides national efforts to implement the CBD, 24 Western Balkans participate in the Bern Convention and the Emerald Network. At the EU-level, the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive form the legal basis of the largest network of protected areas in the world called Natura 2000, to which all Western Balkan countries tend to harmonize their legislation. Subregional activities include the Dinaric Arc Initiative (DAI) and the proposed Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of South-Eastern Europe Mountain Regions, aiming to preserve the wealth and integrity of the Dinaric Arc and other mountain regions in South-Eastern Europe.

All Western Balkan countries are active in terms of legislation on biodiversity and nature protection at the national level. Forest legislation deals with water protection, climate, biodiversity and other social values of forests through establishing a framework of forest areas conserved and managed for such purposes. Synergies are therefore possible between adaptation and mitigation in this sector. Programmes focusing upon resilient forestry management and the development of ecosystem services might diversify livelihoods away from high emitting activities such as coal production, while at the same time sequestering carbon through reforestation activities.

Land degradation

Risk of progressive decline in soil moisture leadingtoincreasedfirerisk,reducedagricultural productivity, economic losses, and ecosystem functioning due to rising temperatures. Risk of land degradation due to wildfires. EU-funded regional initiatives such as the Drought Management Centre for South-Eastern Europe (DMCSEE), the Adriatic Ionian Program 2014– 2020, the Danube Transnational Programme 2014– 2020 and the Balkan-Mediterranean Transnational Programme 2014–2020 contribute to addressing the risks of land degradation. At the national level, legislation for land protection is generally poor. Only a few policy documents regard land resources as a distinct sector; it is usually treated as part of the agriculture, forest or

Key Policy gaps:

• Lack of/limited institutional coordination mechanisms across sectors • Lack of proper infrastructure and tools • Lack of/limited adequate vertical integration from EU to local administrations

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