LocationsAdvanced Register of Emissions and Air Pollutant Information System in Sarajevo Canton presented
April 15, 2025
Register of emissions and information system of air pollutants
In the organization of the Ministry of Municipal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of Sarajevo Canton, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Embassy of Sweden in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a presentation of the Register of Air Emissions and the Information System of Air Pollutants in Sarajevo Canton was held today. The Registry was created by a consortium of companies Ceteor d.o.o. Sarajevo, E3 d.o.o. Sarajevo and GDI.
This two-year project represents a significant step in the planning and improvement of air quality in Sarajevo Canton. It collected comprehensive data on all relevant air pollution factors, including sectors such as home fireplaces, boiler rooms, industry, traffic and agriculture. During the preparation of the Register, almost 100,000 sources of emissions were processed, for which the emissions of all pollutants were calculated in accordance with the requirements of the European Environmental Protection Agency.
Compared to previous registers, this new register brings significant improvements. At the professional level, the latest methodologies for the spatial distribution of emissions and data verification were applied. At the IT level, a central GIS database and an interactive web portal have been established. For the first time, a direct public comparison of the results for different pollutants on a high-resolution spatial grid (100x100 meters) has been made possible.
The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, emphasized the importance of this project: "This is a key step towards a more transparent, precise and strategic approach to solving the problem of air pollution in Sarajevo Canton. The new register allows us to precisely plan measures, apply for international funds and make sustainable decisions based on relevant data."
A high-quality emission register is the basis for strategic financing of projects aimed at improving air quality, including the implementation of the Strategy for limiting the use of coal and other solid fuels in KS (2023-2033).
Minister of Justice and Administration of Sarajevo Canton, Darja Softić Kadenić, emphasized the originality of the project within Bosnia and Herzegovina:
"This project is unique in Bosnia and Herzegovina because for the first time it introduces a fully digitized, precise and comprehensive system for monitoring annual emissions into the air, thus placing Sarajevo Canton among the more advanced European cities."
Darja Softić Kadenić, Minister of Justice and Administration of Sarajevo Canton
In addition to the detailed Emissions Register, emission distribution maps for key pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were created. This created the preconditions for the identification of areas of excessive air pollution.
"Air pollution remains one of the most urgent public health and environmental challenges in Sarajevo Canton. By taking a pioneering step to make environmental data publicly accessible, the Canton is enabling transparent, informed, and long-term action toward cleaner air and climate neutrality - and Sweden is proud to support this important initiative,"
said Birgitta Jansson, Deputy Head of Development cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in BiH.
Birgitta Jansson, Deputy Head of Development cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in BiH
The new Emissions Register and air quality categorization map will be key input data for future plans and strategies in various sectors, including spatial planning, energy, transport and health.
"This system is more than a technical tool - it is a strategic asset that empowers institutions, companies, and citizens to take concrete steps toward environmental protection. By making emissions data transparent and accessible, Sarajevo Canton is setting a new standard for climate action, sustainable urban planning, and good environmental governance,"
said Raduška Cupać, Head of the Energy and Environment Sector at UNDP in BiH.
Raduška Cupać, Head of the Energy and Environment Sector at UNDP in BiH
In the next month, the information system will be publicly available through a digital platform that will enable the display of spatial and statistical data on emissions according to the type of source and their quantities. This will significantly contribute to transparency, enabling citizens, institutions and the media to directly view data on emissions.