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Globally, mountains are increasingly recognized for
their vital importance in providing multiple services
to both mountain and downstream communities:
the same is true for the mountains of the Western
Balkans. These services include that of “water
towers”, supplying water (especially in summer)
and for hydropower; as centres of both biological
and cultural diversity; and as places for tourism and
recreation. However, mountain geo- and ecosystems
are also highly sensitive to environmental change,
and extreme events can have major consequences for
both mountain and downstream areas. In order for
the mountains of the Western Balkans to continue
providing essential services downstream, adaptation
policies and actions are therefore needed that take
into account or address mountain needs.
Against this background, this Outlook has been
prepared by several national and international experts
from UNEP, its collaborating centre GRID-Arendal
and the Environmental Innovations Association
(EIA). This outlook synthesizes and analyses
existing climate change adaptation responses in the
mountainous regions of the Western Balkans and the
extent to which they address key climate risks.
In doing so, the authors and contributors have
largely followed the definitions set out in the IPCC’s
Fifth assessment report. The outlook has used three
main steps: 1) the determination of the main climate
hazards, vulnerabilities and key risks. Once identified,
these key risks are considered as priorities to be
addressed by adaptation policy; 2) the identification
of existing measures (policies, strategies) for climate
change adaptation, and 3) the analysis of the extent
to which these existing measures can respond to the
key risks (gap analysis). Several best practice case
studies are also highlighted.
This synthesis publication has used as it sources of
information: peer-reviewed journal articles, grey
literature sources (e.g. those available from NGOs and
international organizations); government reports
including the National Communications submitted
by countries to the UNFCCC); and extensive expert
input through stakeholder consultation.
Participants to the stakeholder consultation in
Budva, Montenegro, July 2015:
• Zdravko Kutle, Blidinje Nature Park, Bosnia and
Herzegovina
• Vlatko Trpeski, Ministry of Environment and
Physical Planning, FYR Macedonia
• MilenaSpicanovicBulatovic,MinistryofSustainable
Development And Tourism, Montenegro
• Olivera Kujundzic, Ministry of Sustainable
Development and Tourism, Montenegro
• Stana Bozovic, Ministry of Agriculture and
Environmental Protection, Serbia
• Jasmina Muric, Ministry of Agriculture and
Environmental Protection, Serbia
• Agim Qehaja, Ministry of Environment and
Spatial Planning, Kosovo
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• Qenan Maxhuni, Ministry of Environment and
Spatial Planning, Kosovo
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