Publication Name

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

• Qenan Maxhuni, Ministry of Environment and

Spatial Planning, Kosovo