Presentation of the Strategy for Restricting the Use of Coal and Other Solid Fuels in Sarajevo Canton

"Green Economic Development - GED” project

May 25, 2022

A presentation of the Strategy for restricting the use of coal and other solid fuels in Sarajevo Canton in the period 2022 - 2032 was held today in Sarajevo. The Strategy has been prepared with the financial support of the Government of Sarajevo Canton, as part of the "Green Economic Development - GED” project, funded by Sweden and implemented by the UNDP in BiH.

The development of the Strategy, among other things, included: calculation of total emissions and air quality impact of all individual solid fuel combustion plants, analysis and proposals for improving emission control, improvement of the chimney-sweeping sector, control and certification of furnaces and fuels used in Sarajevo Canton, analysis of exposure to excessively polluted air, proposed measures for air emissions reduction, improvement and changes of legislation in order to improve air quality in Sarajevo Canton, challenges, risks and obstacles in the implementation of the Strategy, as well as options for developing a strategic plan to restrict the use of solid fuels in Sarajevo Canton. 

 

Edin Forto, Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton said he was aware that a strategy ensuring the transition from solid fuels must be prepared, and that in the developed world, and especially in the current crisis, alternative fuels are becoming the primary source of energy.

Due to the lack of necessary input data, the development of the Strategy was preceded by a preparing a list and development of the Register of all emissions from individual furnaces in Sarajevo Canton, in order to determine their number, location and the extent of their impact on air quality.

According to Enver Hadžiahmetović, Minister of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Physical Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of Sarajevo Canton, it has been determined that there are over 20,000 sites of illegal solid fuel combustion plants in Sarajevo Canton, which are now in the digital system, and that the key findings and results of the Strategy will be the starting point for future strategic decisions in the field of air protection.

It was pointed out at the presentation that it is necessary to work on activities to increase energy efficiency. By applying energy efficiency measures to the existing stock of housing buildings with poor thermal features, especially the ones built before 1980, it is possible to reach more than 60% of savings in thermal energy consumption.

"We know that the air quality, especially during the winter, is poor in Sarajevo Canton, as well as in the rest of BiH, and we are happy to help solve that problem. It is essential that we move to green solutions."
Eva Smedberg, Head of the Development Cooperation Department of the Swedish Embassy in BiH

Based on the analysis of the impact on air quality, an analysis of the impact of measures to reduce emissions and improve air quality in Sarajevo Canton has been made resulting in three scenarios in the priority zones, which included reduction to 50%, 90% and 100%, as well as measures to implement these scenarios. It has been determined that in order to achieve satisfactory air quality, i.e. category 1, it is necessary to achieve up to 90% reduction of particulate matter emissions in priority zones.

"The plan to restrict the use of solid fuels for heating needs to be implemented over several years, taking into account the social image, energy market, furnaces, energy prices and energy sources, as well as technical possibilities for the use of other alternative energy sources from district heating systems. Therefore, this Strategy is an important milestone in solving air pollution in the Sarajevo Canton, as it provides clear lines of action, activities and resources necessary to systematically address this problem in the long run."
Steliana Nedera, UNDP Resident Representative in BiH

The Strategy is a fundamental document that will help the Sarajevo Canton authorities plan further activities and steps to improve air quality throughout the Canton.