Second National Communication to the UNFCCC for Serbia

The Government of Serbia with the assistance from UNDP Serbia is currently compiling the Second National Communication Report.

 

 

KEY STATISTICS

Serbia has ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2001 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2008, as a non-Annex I Party. As a non-Annex I Party to the UNFCCC, Serbia has no commitments on the reductions of GHG emissions but in accordance with the Article 12 of Convention, each Party shall provide the Conference of the Parties (COP) with the information on national greenhouse gas inventories; national or, where appropriate, regional programmes containing measures to mitigate, and to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change; and any other information that the Party considers relevant to the achievement of the objective of the Convention, as well to integrate climate change into the broader development planning process of the country.

Since the ratification and application of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, considerable efforts have been made in establishing legal, institutional and policy frameworks aiming to fulfil the commitments outlined under the Convention and the Protocol. While the first set of environmental laws designed to combat climate change was adopted in 2004, considerable progress has been achieved with the beginning of the process of European Union (EU) accession and the harmonization of national legislation with that of the EU.

The Initial National Communication (INC) of the Republic of Serbia, as an important national strategic document, was adopted and published in 2010, and highlighted a number of issues recognising the energy sector as the main contributor to GHG emissions in Serbia and also likely the sector with the greatest potential for mitigation.
GOAL

The project’s goal is to prepare the Second National Communication (SNC) to the UNFCCC, as well strengthen the institutional and human resources of Serbia to deal with climate change.

PROJECT PROFILE

  • Project duration: 2012 – 2015
  • Project funding: Total budget is US$ 577,149; the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is providing US$ 500,000, while project partners are providing the remaining amount through in-kind contributions.
  • Project is being implemented in partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Serbian Environmental Protection Agency and UNDP.

Key Activities

  • Preparation of GHG Inventories for the period 2000-2009
  • Mitigation analysis and mitigation action plan by 2030 and long-term projections by 2050
  • Vulnerability assessment, climate change impacts with adaptation measures, with special respect to climate change impact studies on agriculture, water resources and forestry
  • Information on national circumstances, financial, technology and capacity building needs, and other information related to UNFCCC requirements
  • Strengthen national capacities in order to contribute to the ongoing climate change international negotiations under the UNFCCC, to analyse opportunities and obligations rising from new regional and international initiatives aiming to protect the global climate.

Results

  • GHG inventory for the period 2000-2009 prepared
  • Mitigation action plan developed until 2030
  • Vulnerability assessment, climate change impacts and adaptation measures prepared
  • Updated information on national circumstances, financial, technology and capacity building needs, and other information related to UNFCCC requirements

Other GEF projects in the field of climate change

  • Serbia’s First Biennial Update Report

Joint actions for strengthening capacities for combating climate change, awareness rising on climate change issues, as well as establishing reporting cycle

  • Reducing Barriers to accelerate the Development of Biomass Markets in Serbia

Contribution to the development of mitigation programme/action plan until 2020 for Serbia

 

Other related projects in Serbia with UNDP involvement

  • Support to sustainable urban transport in the city of Belgrade

Joint actions for strengthening capacities for combating climate change, awareness rising on climate change issues

  • Disaster Loss Database Establishment in the Republic of Serbia

Joint actions for strengthening capacities for combating climate change, awareness rising on climate change issues
Linking climate change stakeholders

  • To integrate climate change issues into the broader development planning process of the country
  • Supporting synchronized and strategic approach to climate change issues in Serbia (UNFCCC & EU directives)