Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains

Are policy responses forward-looking?

Despite future scenarios indicating that climate change impacts will become increasingly severe in this region, existing legislation, policies and instruments rarely consider climate change issues and the inherent variability and uncertainty of climatic and socioeconomic variables. This means they are better suited to addressing current conditions than preparing for the future changes. Generally, neither adaptation nor mountain-specific considerations are integrated. Although the situation varies greatly between countries, some sectors represent positive exceptions, with policies that contain forward-looking elements for adaptation. Policies pertaining to water and flood management, forests and biodiversity, and energy appear to be the most effective in this regard. Moving forward, there are two key steps that should be taken to address the policy gaps identified in this analysis. Firstly, in the view of progressive integration into the EU, national legislation should be further improved and harmonized with relevant directives, such as the EU Floods Directive, that take into account future climate impacts and provisions of regular methodological updates and revisions according to the latest scientific information on climate change. Secondly, subregional coordination and transnational synergies should be strongly promoted. Policymakers should consider a subregional approach to investments in prevention and preparedness in various sectors to avoid duplications and improve coordination. Subregional adaptation strategies and plans would thus further ensure sustainability at the national level.

Hiking in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

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