National Adaptation Plans in Bosnia and Herzegovina

NAP Project

The project Advance the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process for medium-term investment planning in climate sensitive sectors in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiHsupported the country to advance its NAP process and reach goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Green Climate Fund (GCF) resources were used to enable the authorities to integrate climate change-related risks, coping strategies and opportunities, into ongoing development planning and budgeting processes.

NAP builds on the BiH’s Climate Change Adaptation and Low Emission Development Strategy from 2013, which is based on four specific outcomes:

  1. supporting evidence-based policy development for climate change risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities;
  2. creating effective institutional and regulatory frameworks;
  3. mainstreaming climate change adaptation approaches into decision making; and
  4. effectively assigning resources and reaching implementation goals. 

The main identified barriers for the implementation of the Strategy are:

  • Limited institutional capacities and weak vertical and horizontal coordination for adaptation planning and implementation, 
  • Limited climate Information to support integration of climate change into planning and budgeting,  
  • Alternative sources of finance, including innovative funds are not optimized as neither climate change adaptation, nor disaster risk reduction activities are included in budgeting on any level and effective finance plan for adaptation does not exist.
     
NAP Project

 

NAP Project 

To overcome these challenges, and support reach UNDP’s signature solutions to “strengthen effective, inclusive and accountable governance” and “enhance national prevention and recovery capacities for resilient societies,” the project advanced adaptation planning in BiH with a focus on sectoral approaches, upgrade of the knowledge base for adaptation, prioritization of adaptation interventions for the medium term, building institutional capacities for integrating climate change adaptation, and demonstrating innovative ways of financing adaptation at sub-national and local government levels.

These activities resulted in the compilation of a NAP and an implementation strategy focused on scaling-up adaptation in key sectors for the medium-term. Through the project, BiH has also developed municipal-level investment financing instruments with public and private sector engagement, and built national, sub-national and sectoral capacity to integrate and mainstream risk informed planning and budgeting.

Project Components

  • Establish effective national adaptation coordination system to drive the NAP process;
  • Strengthen capacity for climate vulnerability assessments, development of socio-economic scenarios, and adaptation options prioritized for two key sectors;
  • Develop innovative financing strategy for adaptation investments and test in four to five selected municipalities.

Results

  • Established an institutional framework to coordinate climate adaptation,
  • Developed the first National Adaptation Plan of BiH - the NAP document, 
  • Developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for horizontal and vertical institutional cooperation on climate data exchange as well as the corresponding M&E framework that will enable cross-sectoral climate data/information exchange, 
  • Supported adjustments to the regulatory framework necessary for successful implementation of climate change adaptation activities in the country and for meeting BiH’s obligations to the EU and UNFCCC, 
  • Developed and implemented NAP Communication Strategy to raise knowledge and awareness on climate adaptation needs, 
  • Upgraded information on climate change impact and scenarios and vulnerability assessments for agriculture and water sectors as the most vulnerable to climate change,
  • Assessed socio-economic effects of climate change on hydro-energy potential for two river basins are (Trebišnjica and Vrbas) as well as effects  on agriculture in one of most productive agricultural areas within the Sava Basin, 
  • Developed additional studies to assess risks of urban torrential waters and define adaptation options in Tuzla and Banja Luka, 
  • Implemented trainings to build capacities of government staff for assessment, prioritization, and implementation of climate change adaptation actions as well as for development of reporting, monitoring and review mechanisms, 
  • Designed the climate change data management system/platform that within the two sub-national environmental funds, 
  • Finance mechanisms, tools, and new financing approaches for adaptation finance are piloted in four municipalities Laktaši, Zenica, Sanski Most and Trebinje and related trainings on adaptation financing mechanisms were implemented in all four municipalities, 
  • The Project also has developed two GCF Project Concept Notes- for new project initiatives (for water and agriculture sectors), 
  • Developed Climate Adaptation Finance Strategy for BiH and accepted by institutions. 

PHOTO ESSAYS

Giving trees

Through the natural process of photosynthesis, trees absorb CO₂ and other pollutant particulates, then store the carbon and emit pure oxygen. They can help us beat air pollution and adapt to climate change. As we continue to watch how climate change is making an impact around the world – fueling stronger hurricanes and forest fires, drying up water resources, diminishing food security, and displacing large populations in search of basic needs – we are also searching for answers and solutions. Read more  

Fixing farming

Farmers in BiH are already facing the negative consequences of climate change through floods, erosion, landslides, storms, hail, and droughts, all of which are steadily increasing in severity and frequency. Achieving farm resilience requires building up vulnerable farmers by developing their skills and expertise to use sustainable farming practices. A resilient farm can cope effectively with climate shocks, while also increasing production in smarter and economically efficient ways. Read more

A race against nature

In that terrible year, the water came in the middle of the night. It was scary. As soon as the water started entering the house I managed to evacuate my family of four members, including a baby of two years, on my own, to relatives.’ Dragan Petrić, a citizen of Banjaluka, remembers the flooding of 2014 that affected Croatia, BiH, and Serbia as a massive cyclone swept through South-Eastern Europe. Read more  

Managing risks

In 47 developing countries, across four regions, and with the support of 14 partners, NAPs are promoting ambitious climate action across the world. These NAPs also help countries meet their commitments under the Paris Agreement, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. A core part of the NAPs is working to integrate climate change adaptation into medium and long-term national planning and financing. Read more

The Peak of Resilience

Though its weather may be unpredictable, the beautiful Mt Jahorina – a 1984 Winter Olympic venue – has attracted thousands of skiers for decades. But in recent years, nature admirers have begun flocking to the area in spring, summer, and autumn as well. Read more  

Changing what we eat to help the planet

For 25-year-old Emina Kuhinja, choosing to change her diet came about after learning of the negative effects on nature engendered by meat production and other segments of the food industry that she sees as a burden to the environment. Read more  

Choosing peaches over apples

Looking at the heights of both Manjača and Vlašić mountains, Vaso Savić's family orchard is one of the rare ones that grows peaches on the valleys around the northern BiH town of Laktaši. Largely cultivated in Italy and Spain and often seen in the Adriatic coastal areas of BiH and Croatia, peaches in Savić's home village of Miloševci are an uncommon fruit to grow in inland regions.  Read more  

True value

With the first signs of spring, the Košpić family has their hands full packing tones of potatoes they harvested last autumn on their farm in the village of Mrčevci, situated in the northwest of BiH. Their potato harvest is just a part of the value their land and hard work generates. Read more  

Status:

Completed in April 2022

Start date:

April 2018

Focus Area:

Energy and Environment

Donors:

Green Climate Fund (GCF)

Project value:

USD  2,506,812

Partners:

Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, Ministry of Physical Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology of Republika Srpska, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Republika Srpska, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of BiH Federation, Ministry of Environment and Tourism of BiH Federation

 

Climate change academy trainings held

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Report: Updated existing climate change scenarios for Bosnia and Herzegovina

This report will give an overview of the results of future climate projections for Bosnia and Herzegovina, based on various future scenarios for greenhouse gases concentrations. Future concentration scenarios considered include RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5 scenarios defined in the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Download the Report here