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management and use of wetlands ecosystems
and biodiversity; reducing the impacts of saline
water intrusion; and implementing high-priority
investments for water pollution control.
Following the EU directives, Croatia foresees a
mechanism to protect and restore regulatory ecosystem
services. Inaccordancewith spatial plans, every building
under construction has to undergo an environmental
impact study. The EU Directive SEVESO II is also
implemented into national legislation.
One of the major threats to habitats and species
and a main cause of the decline in biological
diversity in Europe is the fragmentation and
isolation of habitats. Migration, dispersal and
genetic exchange of wild species depend on the
existence of transboundary linkages (ecological
corridors) between the protected area networks of
neighbouring countries.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
has been promoting the establishment and
strengthening of transboundary protected areas
(TBPAs) and their many benefits. Through
implementing an ecosystem approach, TBPAs can
enhance the conservation of biological diversity,
improve international cooperation between
adjacent countries, and strengthen ecological
networks. Within the Western Balkans, there is
great potential for the establishment of TBPAs.
One such area exists within the Sharr/Šar Planina-
Korab-Dešat/Deshat region lying between Albania,
Kosovo1 and FYR Macedonia.
The objectives of theUNEP-ViennaFeasibility Study
on the Potential for Establishing a Transboundary
Protected Area in the “Sharr/Šar Planina-Korab-
Dešat/Deshat” region were to:
• achieve a better understanding of the
transboundary situation in the region, and to
identify possible added values of transboundary
cooperation
Feasibility Study on Establishing a Transboundary Protected Area in Sharr/Šar Planina-Korab- Dešat/
Deshat region (Albania, Kosovo1 and FYR Macedonia)
Opportunities for transboundary cooperation in the Western Balkans
• analyse and evaluate the current status of
transboundary initiatives, identify current
shortcomings and impediments for cooperation,
and recommend actions aimed at facilitating
transboundary cooperation
• assess the potential for success under the local
conditions
• indicate the type of external support that would
be indispensable for the success of this initiative.
The feasibility study concluded that all countries
involved could derive significant added value
and possible benefits from the proposed
transboundary protected area, which would be
largely facilitated by the trilateral transboundary
cooperation in this region. These benefits
included:
• Achievement of their nature protection and
biodiversity conservation objectives
• Mitigation of the present threats to the
environment and nature of the shared region
• Promotion and implementation of sustainable
development at local and regional level
• Establishment of a long-term transboundary
cooperation mechanism serving the local
stakeholders.
The full feasibility study report can be found at
Feasibility_Studies/Sharr_25-10-2010.pdf
or visit ;
GOOD PRACTICES
• Inadequate national policy coverage for
adaptation related to water-ecosystems
biodiversity and flood management
• Lack of/limited adequate vertical integration
from EU to local administrations
Key Policy gaps:
Impaired ecosystem functioning and
loss of species
Risk of landslides due to flooding. Risk of
inaccessibility of essential services and disrupted
communication due to heavy snow precipitation
and cold extremes.
Adaptation measures in the transport, infrastructure
and communication sector in the Western Balkan
countries are not explicitly indicated as such, and no
adaptation measures or strategic goals are mentioned
for specific mountainous areas.
Good practices of urban risk reduction related
to inaccessibility of transport infrastructure do