Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains

Further policy gaps

Existing policies in theWesternBalkans fail to address mountains as a climate change hotspot, with the exception of policies relating to winter tourism and ecosystem services. Given the strategic importance of mountains in the Western Balkans, there should be a stronger mountain focus in adaptation actions. Furthermore, two significant current risks appear to be disregarded and need to be included in future policies: • the risk of economic losses related to heavy snowfall and extreme cold temperatures and • the risk of decreased public safety due to flooding in landmine sites. It is essential that all present and emerging risks are adequately addressed at the most appropriate level.

Bottlenecks affecting policies related to adaptation often concern a lack of institutional coordination both horizontally (across sectors that are remits of different ministries) and vertically (across administrative levels within the same sector), and a lack of financial resources to implement the policies. Furthermore, limitations and difficulties related to the ongoing EU integration process often miss vertical mechanisms to coordinate actions between regional and local stakeholders. A clear example of where the lack of coordination may result in maladaptation is found in the winter tourism industry. Here, the use of snow-making systems to address the risk of economic losses due to reduced snow cover is not sustainable, and may in fact increase losses.

It is imperative that any action towards a more resilient Western Balkans region adopts an approach that avoids maladaptation and embraces no-regret measures, especially when budget and capacities are limited. In particular, adaptation initiatives must not increase GhG emissions; must be economically and socially equitable; should not involve high costs; should increase incentive to adapt; and contain a great degree of flexibility (Magnan, 2014). Win-win measures, for instance, include improving climate-change awareness among local communities and stakeholders in charge of the most pressing policies such as disaster risk management/disaster risk reduction, as well as adopting innovative means such as insurance schemes and financial tools.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

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