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but so far this does not integrate climate change
adaptation or reflect on mountain areas. The only
exception to this is Croatia, which is transposing the
relevant EU directive, paying attention to adaptation
aspects important for rural development.
On the policy side, there is some consideration
of mountain issues and climate change in most
countries. Several financial mechanisms at the
national level are in place to cover losses and support
production in the agricultural sector. These include
financial support to farmers in mountain areas,
incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of
endangered autochthonous and local livestock breeds
and plant species, and incentives for diversification.
Infrastructural adaptation measures have also been
undertaken in some countries (e.g. Serbia and BiH).
Some of these are for agriculture (e.g. irrigation
systems, dams and accumulation reservoirs), while
other purposes include hydropower generation,
drinking water, tourism and fish-farming.
However, the budgetary support for agricultural
development is very low compared to the EU budget.
Allocations in 2012 were 25 euros/ha of agricultural
land in Albania; 50 euros/ha in BiH;
23
70 euros/
ha in Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo;
1
and 150
euros/ha in FYR Macedonia. The EU-27 support
amounts to 470 euros/ha for its members. Croatia
spends 370 euros/ha on its agriculture (FAO, 2014).
This indicates the limited potential of the Western
Balkan countries to address challenges in this sector,
including implementing adaptation measures.
According to an analysis of the Agricultural Policy
and European Integration in South-Eastern Europe
(2014), the climate change policy-making arena in
this region is relatively weak, which results in very
few mitigation and adaptation activities on the
ground.
Adaptation action in this sector involves
complementarities with forest management and
safeguarding of biodiversity. Potential co-benefits
between adaptation and reduction of greenhouse
gases from agricultural production are being
sought in Serbia. Certain adaptation measures may,
however, result in higher emissions. For example, a
shift towards a more fertilizer- and energy-intensive
agriculture to address food security concerns may
result in higher emissions.
Snow-making systems also imply high costs for
installation and maintenance, which could prove a
clear economic obstacle in the Western Balkans.
Currently, policymakers do not seem to be
considering other possible adaptation options – such
as economic incentives for behavioural changes to
diversify tourism opportunities, and risk-sharing
tools such as insurance schemes – to tackle the risk
of economic losses in the winter tourism industry.
The tourism sector should have a relatively high
capacity for climate adaptation. However, there
appears to be low awareness in the region about
the impacts of climate change on the sector and its
related businesses.
• Low budget for agriculture development and
adaptation
• Lack of political awareness and institutional
capacity to implement adaptation on the ground
• Inadequate regional/national policy coverage
for adaptation to reduced snow cover in winter
tourism
• Measures foreseen to address the risk are
not sustainable and carry other risks such as
inter-sectoral and resource-use conflicts, and
economic bottlenecks
• Lack of awareness of the problem and
adaptation needs in the tourism sector
Risk of economic and livelihood losses for
mountain communities reliant on ski tourism,
due to reduced snow cover.
There are few national or subnational tourism sector
strategies that include climate change considerations
in the region (Montenegro and the Republika
Srpska entity of BiH are the exceptions). However,
existing tourism development strategies recognize
the importance of mountain tourism, especially
ski tourism, and the negative consequences of a
shortened skiing season.
These strategies put forward artificial snow-making as
an adaptation measure. However, the production of
artificial snow, as currently practiced, is not believed
to be a sustainable solution. In fact, such interventions
could generate inter-sectoral conflicts (due to high
consumption of energy and water resources), and
should be considered examples of maladaptation.
Risk of economic and livelihood losses related to
loss of livestock, due to heavy snow precipitation
and cold extremes.
Existing national legislation on agriculture and rural
development also regulates livestock production in
almost all Western Balkan countries. However, these
laws do not seem to take into consideration climate
change adaptation (with the exception of Croatia),
Key Policy gaps:
Key Policy gaps: