Publication Name

Despite future scenarios indicating that climate

change impacts will become increasingly severe in this

region, existing legislation, policies and instruments

rarely consider climate change issues and the

inherent variability and uncertainty of climatic and

socioeconomic variables. This means they are better

suited to addressing current conditions than preparing

for the future changes. Generally, neither adaptation

nor mountain-specific considerations are integrated.

Although the situation varies greatly between

countries, some sectors represent positive exceptions,

with policies that contain forward-looking elements

for adaptation. Policies pertaining to water and flood

management, forests and biodiversity, and energy

appear to be the most effective in this regard.

Moving forward, there are two key steps that should

be taken to address the policy gaps identified in

this analysis. Firstly, in the view of progressive

integration into the EU, national legislation should

be further improved and harmonized with relevant

directives, such as the EU Floods Directive, that take

into account future climate impacts and provisions

of regular methodological updates and revisions

according to the latest scientific information on

climate change. Secondly, subregional coordination

and transnational synergies should be strongly

promoted. Policymakers should consider a

subregional approach to investments in prevention

and preparedness in various sectors to avoid

duplications and improve coordination. Subregional

adaptation strategies and plans would thus further

ensure sustainability at the national level.

Are policy responses forward-looking?

Hiking in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro