Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains

Recommendations

In complying with UNFCCC obligations and reporting requirements, the countries of the Western Balkans have already demonstrated an increased knowledge and awareness of, and action on, climate change risks and adaptation. Nevertheless, enhanced action towards climate change and adaptation in mountain regions remains crucial, both at the policy and technical levels. 1) Promote the design, collection and monitoring of mountain-specific data on climate change trends/risks. There is currently insufficient access to relevant disaggregated climate/environmental data on mountains in the Western Balkans, although this is essential for informed decision-making and the development of appropriate policies and actions. Specific actions could include developing dedicated national and regional data monitoring programmes for climate change risks and adaptation in mountains. 2) Give a stronger mountain focus to adaptation policies. Most existing policies in the Western Balkans fail to address mountain issues specifically, with only a few exceptions (e.g. winter tourism). Specific actions that could be taken include (i) acknowledging the important contribution of mountain ecosystems’

goods and services to the sustainable development of the Western Balkans (e.g. through tourism, energy provision and water security); (ii) increasing awareness of the socioeconomic and environmental impacts that climate change and natural disasters have on human well-being, both in mountain and downstream environments (e.g. flooding) and (iii) developing adaptation actions with a stronger mountain focus. These actions should be built on a solid foundation of accessible data for informed decision-making. 3) Improve policy evaluation. Expected outcomes from policy focus areas – defined using quantitative indicators – should be agreed upon, which would allow progress to be monitored against the objectives and improve policy performance evaluation. Where appropriate, priority should be given to the implementation of existing laws and policies, rather than to the development of new legislation. 4) Implement no-regret measures and avoid maladaptation from the outset. For action towards a more resilient West Balkan region, it is imperative that policymakers adopt an approach that avoids maladaptation and embraces no-regret measures, especially in the case of limited budget and capacities. No-regret measures imply,

among other things, relatively inexpensive actions such as awareness-raising of climate change among local communities and stakeholders in charge of the most pressing policies such as disaster risk management/reduction, as well as the adoption of innovative means, such as insurance schemes and financial tools. This also includes capacity-building measures. 5) Promote ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation in mountains. Resilient ecosystems can help curb the impacts of climate change and natural hazards. Ecosystem- based adaptation (EbA) encompasses a range of low-cost options which promote the sustainable use of natural resources while planning for and adapting to changing climate conditions, which can benefit communities in mountainous and downstream areas. 6) Support the development of sustainable solutions and practices in the fields of water, tourism, renewable energy and energy efficiency in mountain areas, which in turn will also provide benefits for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. The needs of men, women and specific vulnerable groups should be considered.

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