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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