8 / 96
8
In complying with UNFCCC obligations and
reporting requirements, the countries of the Western
Balkans have already demonstrated an increased
knowledge and awareness of, and action on, climate
change risks and adaptation. Nevertheless, enhanced
action towards climate change and adaptation in
mountain regions remains crucial, both at the policy
and technical levels.
1) Promote the design, collection and
monitoring of mountain-specific data
on climate change trends/risks.
There is currently insufficient access to relevant
disaggregated climate/environmental data on
mountains in the Western Balkans, although this
is essential for informed decision-making and the
development of appropriate policies and actions.
Specific actions could include developing dedicated
national and regional data monitoring programmes
for climate change risks and adaptation in
mountains.
2) Give a stronger mountain focus to
adaptation policies.
Most existing policies in the Western Balkans fail to
address mountain issues specifically, with only a few
exceptions (e.g. winter tourism). Specific actions
that could be taken include (i) acknowledging the
important contribution of mountain ecosystems’
Recommendations
goods and services to the sustainable development
of the Western Balkans (e.g. through tourism,
energy provision and water security); (ii) increasing
awareness of the socioeconomic and environmental
impacts that climate change and natural disasters
have on human well-being, both in mountain and
downstream environments (e.g. flooding) and
(iii) developing adaptation actions with a stronger
mountain focus. These actions should be built on
a solid foundation of accessible data for informed
decision-making.
3) Improve policy evaluation.
Expected outcomes from policy focus areas –
defined using quantitative indicators – should
be agreed upon, which would allow progress to
be monitored against the objectives and improve
policy performance evaluation. Where appropriate,
priority should be given to the implementation
of existing laws and policies, rather than to the
development of new legislation.
4) Implement no-regret measures and
avoid maladaptation from the outset.
For action towards a more resilient West Balkan
region, it is imperative that policymakers adopt an
approach that avoids maladaptation and embraces
no-regret measures, especially in the case of limited
budget and capacities. No-regret measures imply,
among other things, relatively inexpensive actions
such as awareness-raising of climate change among
local communities and stakeholders in charge
of the most pressing policies such as disaster risk
management/reduction, as well as the adoption of
innovative means, such as insurance schemes and
financial tools. This also includes capacity-building
measures.
5) Promote ecosystem-based approaches
to adaptation in mountains.
Resilient ecosystems can help curb the impacts of
climate change and natural hazards. Ecosystem-
based adaptation (EbA) encompasses a range of
low-cost options which promote the sustainable
use of natural resources while planning for and
adapting to changing climate conditions, which
can benefit communities in mountainous and
downstream areas.
6) Support the development of
sustainable solutions and practices in
the fields of water, tourism, renewable
energy and energy efficiency in
mountain areas,
which in turn will also provide benefits for climate
change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
The needs of men, women and specific vulnerable
groups should be considered.