Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo by Anton Sharov on Unsplash

Bosnia and Herzegovina

CCAC Partner since
2023
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Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) in 2023, endorsing the CCAC's 2030 Strategy to deliver significant reductions in short-lived climate pollutants over the next decade to hold warming to 1.5˚C. The country has requested support from the CCAC for national planning and mitigation actions, with its first projects expected to launch in 2024. 

“We are particularly interested in the cooling, heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines, solid waste, oil and gas, and household energy sectors...”
Staša Košarac, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina

BiH submitted its latest Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2021, including information on methane and hydrofluorocarbons emissions. It joined the Global Methane Pledge in 2021, committing to contribute to a collective effort to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. BiH also ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 2021. Since 1993, BiH has been party to the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention), a multilateral agreement to reduce and prevent air pollution in the region.  

Further development of the energy sector which is consistent with global energy trends and EU energy strategies and policies is a priority for BiH. It aims to achieve this through the Energy Community Treaty and other agreements such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), of which BiH has been a member since December 2000, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. BiH was among the first countries to ratify the Paris Agreement in 2017. By signing the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans on November 10, 2020, BiH expressed its determination to align with the European Union’s goals for energy transition and climate neutrality by 2050.

BiH is committed to fulfilling the objectives of its Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU. The Agreement was signed in June 2008 and entered into force in 2015. In accordance with Article 107 (Energy) of the SAA, BiH is focusing on priority areas identified by the acquis of the Agreement on the Establishment of the Energy Community (ratified in 2016). Its overarching aim is to gradually integrate BiH into European energy markets.

At the time of joining the CCAC, BiH was preparing its Integrated Energy and Climate Plan until 2030 (NECP BiH). The first draft of the NECP BiH was submitted to the Energy Community Secretariat in June 2023. This is a document of high importance which defines the direction of decarbonization of BiH until 2030 with projections until 2050. It defines the following targets: 

  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990, including sinks: 41.21%
  • Share of renewable energy sources in gross final energy consumption: 43.62%
  • Energy efficiency - Primary energy consumption: 6.84 Mtoe
  • Energy efficiency - Final energy consumption: 4.34 Mtoe

The NECP will replace the Rural Electrification Strategy (RES) and Energy Efficiency (EE) action plans, connect them with the monitoring of GHG emissions, and thus create a planning framework for a multi-sector approach to combat climate change. BiH’s NDC will be harmonised with this document upon its adoption.

At the 152nd session of the Council of Ministers of BiH held on 29th August 2018, the Framework Energy Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina until 2035 was adopted. This Strategy provides direction for national energy development until 2035.

Development of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Environmental Strategy and Action Plan 2030+ (BiH ESAP 2030+) began in 2022. ESAP determines the goals and most important activities of environmental policy in BiH until 2032. This document aims to strengthen the framework for enacting environmental policies. Its adoption will be an important step for BiH in harmonising regulations and procedures with the EU acquis and thus for progress on the BiH's path to EU membership.

A draft of the ‘Integral Building Renovation Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina until 2050’ has also been prepared. The BiH Building Renovation Strategy consists of the following units: the FBiH Building Renovation Strategy, the RS Building Reconstruction Strategy, and the Building Renovation Strategy, which is owned by administrative bodies of BiH and in the Brčko District. Activities are currently underway to update these draft documents with their adoption expected in 2023. An economic analysis was also carried out on building renovation scenarios. During preparation of the NECP, results of this analysis informed the selection of the optimal energy scenario which determined the Plan’s key energy efficiency goals.

The adoption of a key program for the renovation of residential buildings (individual and collective housing) in both the FBiH and the RS is a priority for BiH in 2023. Activities to establish a sustainable financial mechanism for the program’s implementation are also being drafted.

As part of the NECP process, BiH is developing a ‘Roadmap for the transition of coal-rich regions’ with the support of the World Bank through the project "Supporting energy transition in coal-rich regions". The Roadmap will provide options for energy conversion, recommendations for retraining and labour mobility, and for the conversion of land from former mines and related facilities. BiH is also developing a Roadmap for the introduction of the carbon price scheme and emissions trading in BiH to define which elements of the EU ETS and related legislation can be introduced and implemented.

At the request of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations (MoFTER), UNDP BIH created a ‘Circular Economy Roadmap for Bosnia and Herzegovina’. Its purpose is to assess the current situation, identify priority areas for action, and identify basic steps that will form a strategic basis for systematic change, enabling a long-term transition to the circular economy. This aims to encourage changes to the regulatory framework and the mobilisation of investments in industry, enterprises, and supporting infrastructure.

To fulfill the requirements of the Energy Community Treaty and the Sofia Declaration, BiH prepared a ‘Study of e-mobility and markets in Bosnia and Herzegovina’. The Study provides an overview and analysis of existing market and institutional frameworks, as well as an analysis of business models for the rapid introduction of electromobility infrastructure and recommendations on the necessary policies and measures.

BiH adopted a National Emissions Reduction Plan (NERP BiH) in 2015 which addressed ‘dust’ or fine particles (PM2.5) alongside sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The Law on Air Protection, adopted in 2003 and amended in 2010, prescribed standards and regulations to protect air in the territory of FBiH. It aims to reduce and/or prevent the emission of air pollutants from human activities. This includes production which involves industrial and semi-industrial processing. The National Assembly of RS amended the Law on Air Protection in 2017 to include substances which damage the ozone layer and vehicles, thereby harmonising it with EU requirements. Complementary legal instruments to the law can be found below in the 'other activities' section under the heading ‘Air quality’.

In 2001, BiH ratified the Energy Charter Treaty and the Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects (PEEREA). By doing so, it committed to formulate or implement policies for improving energy efficiency and reducing the negative environmental impact of the energy cycle.  

Key SLCP Policies

CCAC projects

Bosnia and Herzegovina began receiving CCAC support for projects in 2023.

Other activities


Air quality

  • In 2019, FBiH published a Plan for emergency measures in cases of excessive air pollution in Sarajevo Canton.
  • Air quality limit values and standards are set by the Regulation on the Method of Air Quality Monitoring and Defining the Type of Awareness Materials, Cross-Border Values and Other Air Quality Standards (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 1/12). This regulation reflects EU Directive 2008/50/EC.
  • Air quality limit values and targets for planning, as well as thresholds for action in the case of high pollution concentrations of pollutants, are set by the Regulation on Air Quality Monitoring (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 12/05)
  • Operators’ obligations of verifying and monitoring pollutant emissions and defining emissions sources are established by the Regulation on Monitoring the Emission of Pollutants into the Air (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 9/14).
  • Air quality monitoring is regulated by the Regulation on the manner of monitoring on air quality, and defining the kinds of polluting materials, limit values and other air quality standards.
  • Working conditions, measures, and methodologies for pollution and human health risks are established by the Regulation on Limit Values for Air Emissions from Combustion Plants (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 12/05).
  • Emission limits and measures for reductions, particularly for plants using organic solvents, are set out in the Regulation on the Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 12/05).
  • Sulphur content in liquid petroleum fuels is regulated by the Regulation on the Conditions for Measurement and Control of Sulphur Content in Fuel (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 6/08).
  • The Regulation on Types of Fees and Criteria for Fee Compensation for Air Pollutants (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 66/11) establishes fees payable in connection with the emission of solid particles (fine particles, PM2.5) sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide by technological processes, industrial plants, and other installations.
  • The jurisdiction of the Republic of Srpska also has the Air Protection Law (Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska 124/11), Decree on conditions for air quality monitoring (Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska 124/12), Decree on the establishment of a national network of measuring stations (Official Gazette of RS 124/12), Regulation on air quality values (Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska 124/12), and the Regulation on the zones and agglomerations (Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska 100/12).

Transport

  • Euro 5 LDV for new vehicles, Euro 3 for used vehicles since 28.12.2010 ("OGRM of BiH", No. 89/10). HDV standards unknown.
  • National legislation sets fuel quality at ‘Euro 3’ standards. €186 million was spent on Brod refinery upgrades between 2007-2011. As a result, the refinery produces some fuel in compliance with ‘Euro’ quality of 10 ppm.
  • In 2022, BiH adopted a subsidy programme for the purchase of electric and hybrid cars.
  • When registering vehicles, the Regulation on Special Environmental Remedies (Official Gazette of BiH No. 26/11) requires that environmental fees are paid in line with environmental damages caused by that vehicle. This regulation was updated in 2013.

 

Waste

  • In 2021, the Federation of BiH began using a waste management information system developed by the Environmental Protection Fund of the FBiH and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
  • Waste management in BiH is regulated by:
    • The Law on Waste Management in the Republic of Srpska (Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska 113/13 and 106/15),
    • The Law on Waste Management in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of the Federation BiH 33/03, 72/09),
    • The Law on Waste Management in Brčko District (Official Gazette of Brčko District 72/09, 25/04, 1/05, 19/07, 2/08 and 9/09).
  • Waste management plants and other facilities are regulated by the Regulation on Plants and Facilities (Official Gazette of FBiH, No 19/04).
  • In the Republic of Srpska, waste is managed by the Solid Waste Management Strategy 2017 to 2026.
  • In Brčko District, waste is managed by the Environmental Protection Strategy for the period 2016 to 2026.
  • Incineration plants in FBiH are regulated by the Regulation on Conditions for Operation of Incineration Plants (Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH No. 12/05) and the Regulation on Amendments to the Ordinance on Conditions for the Operation of Waste Incineration Plants (Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH No. 102/12).

 

Energy

  • The energy sector at the BiH level is defined by the following laws:
    • Law on Transmission, Regulator and System Operator in BiH ("Official Gazette of BiH", No. 7/02, 13/03, 76/09 and 1/11)
    • The Law on the Establishment of the Independent System Operator for transmission system in Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Official Gazette of BiH", No. 35/04)
    • Law Establishing the Company for Electricity Transmission in Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Official Gazette of BiH", No. 35/04, 76/09, 20/14)
  • Main energy laws and regulations in the FBIH:
    • The Law on Electricity in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH", No. 66/13, 94/15, 54/19, 1/22 and 61/22)
    • Law on the use of renewable energy sources and efficient cogeneration Federation of the Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH", No. 70/13 and 05/14)
    • New Law on Electricity, Law on Energy and Regulation of Energy Activities, and the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration are in the parliamentary procedure. 
  • Main energy laws and regulations in the Republic of Srpska:
    • Energy Law ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska", No. 49/09, 16/23)
    • The Law on Electricity ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska", No. 68/20)
    • Law on Energy Efficiency ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska", No. 59/13)
    • Law on renewable energy sources (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska”, No. 16/22)
    • Law on Gas (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska”, No. 22/18, 15/21)
  • Main energy laws and regulations in the Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina:
    • Law on Electricity ("Official Gazette of the Brcko District of BiH", No. 27/21)
    • Law on Renewable energy sources and energy efficiency (“Official Gazette of the Brčko District of BiH”, No. 22/22)
    • Law on Energy Efficiency in the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina (“Official Gazette of the Brčko District of BiH “, No. 25/22)

 

Cooling

  • The study "Assessment of potential for application of highly efficient cogeneration and cooling and heating in Bosnia and Herzegovina" was developed in 2018. It analyses the potential for highly efficient cogeneration and cooling and heating in BiH. The assessment was informed by requirements listed in Annex VII of the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU).
  • In 2020, Republic of Srpska published the Decree on the treatment of ozone depleting substances and substitute substances. This Decree describes the phasing out of ozone depleting substances and the control of replacement
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Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations
Sarajevo,Bosnia and Herzegovina
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