The second day of this year’s Energy Summit in Neum kicked start with a panel discussion focusing on energy efficiency measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the residential sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The event, jointly organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in BiH and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, aimed to share insights and inspire sustainable, accessible, and clean energy solutions at the local level.

The transition from fossil fuels to a climate-neutral economy is a formidable challenge faced by countries worldwide. Addressing this, the panel underscored the critical role of energy efficiency in mitigating global greenhouse gas emissions and combating air pollution, aligning with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the EU Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. Moreover, securing adequate financing for residential and SME sector was highlighted as a crucial aspect of facilitating this transition and ensuring its success.

Vedran Pecikoza from UNDP in BiH presented recent findings on the awareness of energy efficiency in the country and shared insights into UNDP's past successes and forthcoming activities in implementing energy efficiency measures. Notably, UNDP's decade-long partnership with Sweden and other donors has facilitated substantial progress in advancing energy efficiency initiatives, resulting in economic savings, environmental benefits, and job creation.

“UNDP has been implementing energy efficiency measures in BiH for the past decade. Through projects financed by long-term partners such as Sweden, Green Climate Fund (GCF), and others, the energy efficiency agenda in the public sector was considerably advanced, paving the way for greening models in the residential sector and for businesses. In addition, with the support and investments of domestic institutions, the implementation of these measures increased thus accelerating and increasing the energy transition in the country.” stated Raduška Cupać, Energy and Environment Sector Leader at the UNDP in BiH.

GIZ showcased the database that was developed with both entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina for promoting energy efficiency in the residential sector. The environmental funds published the energy savings calculator in Republika Srpska and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina last year, which helps households calculate savings and costs for an energy-efficient renovation of houses and apartments. Since then, the number of households using this tool has grown, leading to ever more private investments in renovations. GIZ further outlined forthcoming activities in implementing energy efficiency measures in multi-apartment buildings, emphasizing the importance of structured and strategic measures to accelerate progress towards a sustainable future.

“Recognizing the untapped potential for energy efficiency in multi-apartment buildings, we are committed to empowering apartment owners to invest in renovations that not only save energy but also reduce costs. Therefore, on behalf of the German Government, we are assisting homeowners' associations in preparing for these renovations and equipping cities and municipalities with the essential tools and capacities. This support will enable communities to assume a leading role in the energy transition," stated Kirstin Bretthauer, Project Manager at GIZ in BiH. 

The panel discussion featured insights from legal experts, finance experts, and municipal representatives, who collectively stressed the importance of continued collaboration and support to propel Bosnia and Herzegovina towards a green and just transition. While significant advancements have been made in this area, stakeholders emphasized the need to scale up and accelerate efforts towards sustainable energy practices. All panelists expressed full commitment to continue working collaboratively to support citizens and authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina on their journey towards a sustainable and resilient future.