Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains

efficiency legislation, as well as having developed National Energy Efficiency Action Plans. These policies have great potential to entail synergies (and trade-offs) between mitigation and adaptation. While the introduction of renewable sources of energy is consideredmore of a climate changemitigationmeasure, energy efficiency can also be regarded as a climate change adaptation measure, since it contributes to the reduction of energy demand and energy consumption. The main inter-sectoral complementarities concern the industry, building and transport sectors. There are no specific adaptation measures for mountainous areas related to energy security and efficiency.

Decreased energy security

Risk of decreased security in terms of energy supply, with inability/strain to meet energy demand during peak summer months when demand is at its highest and output is at its lowest. The 2020 Energy Strategy aims to reduce the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 per cent, increase the share of renewable energy to at least 20 per cent of consumption, and achieve energy savings of 20 per cent or more. All EU countries must also achieve a 10 per cent share of renewable energy in their transport sector. At the subregional level, the Energy Strategy of the Energy Community represents the first step in creating and streamlining a cost-efficient plan for energy infrastructure within theWestern Balkans, and has set a minimum target of 9 per cent energy saving by 2018. The Strategy takes into consideration the impacts of climate change and aims to adapt energy production and consumption patterns to new climate conditions. At the national level, almost all countries have adopted energy

Key Policy gaps:

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

Coal-fired power station, Croatia

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