The 2020-2030 Climate change adaptation and low emission development Strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The first Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation and Low Emission Development for Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 8 October 2013. The Strategy identified measures for climate change mitigation, measures for adaptation to climate change and capacity building needs, with the aim of providing a strategic and programme basis for effective international support. This document is an updated version of the Strategy, which aims to improve action plans based on monitoring and evaluation, as well as improved knowledge gained during the implementation of the first version of the Strategy. The new Strategy development process is an upgrade to the activities covered by the Initial, Second and Third National Climate Change Communications of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the ongoing activities covered by the Fourth National Communication (FNC). Consultative work identified six priority sectors for the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy: Agriculture; Water resources/water management; Forestry and forest resources; Biodiversity and sensitive ecosystems; Tourism; Human health; Energy. Water management and agriculture are considered to be the main priorities that, to a greater or lesser extent, affect other sectors. The priority sectors for the Low Emission Development Strategy are: Electricity generation; Building and housing; Transport; Agriculture; Forestry; Waste. Climate change is not sector specific, and demands a cross-cutting approach based upon principles and measures that need to be implemented to ensure effective climate change adaptation and mitigation. These are concerned with: Capacity building; Governance; Finance; Education, research and development; Early warning system; Public sensitization and knowledge transfer measures; Gender equality.
The vision statement for the Climate Change Adaptation and Low-Emission Development Strategy is: “By 2025 Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a sustainable and prosperous green economy”. Bosnia and Herzegovina's commitment is to join the EU as a member state with low emissions, high quality of life for everyone, preserved natural ecosystems, sustainable natural resources management and a high level of climate resilience. Increasing levels of energy efficiency, greater renewable energy use, and improved energy and transport infrastructure and services will lead to international investment, job creation and business enterprise in a resource-efficient economy. Negative impacts of climate change will be minimised by reducing vulnerability and taking advantage of opportunities brought about by climate change. The transition to a ‘green economy’ will particularly benefit the vulnerable and disadvantaged by being socially inclusive and contributing positively to gender equity. The adaptation goal of the strategy is “Increase Bosnia and Herzegovina’s resilience to climate variability and climate change, and in doing so, secure development gains”. The emission reduction goal of the strategy is: “Reverse trend of increasing greenhouse gas emissions, significantly reduce emissions by 2030 with the simultaneous growth of the economy through measures and programmes that will result in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050 compared to 2014 and reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 compared to 1990”.