Fact-sheet 28 - Regional - 8306-00/2013
1.2
Status and trends in the sustainable management of natural
resources
See list of documents
Countries of the region share many river basins and much of their water resources. Water scarcity is a problem, particularly in the summer and in southern
parts of the Western Balkans, as well as in coastal zones and on islands. Regions and catchments of the Balkans feature large intact river landscapes. Up to
30% of large rivers are still near‐natural some even pristine and of very high conservation value, in Albania and Montenegro over 60%, while in Germany
only 10%, in Switzerland 7% and in Austria 6% of the rivers are in such high state. Almost 50% of Balkan rivers are only slightly or moderately altered – in
Germany, for comparison, this is the case for only 30%.
Much of the regionʹs water resources are shared: about 60 % of Croatiaʹs territory and over 70 % of Bosnia and Herzegovinaʹs lie in the Danube River basin. In
Serbia, over 90 % of water resources flow from neighbouring countries. The Macedoniaʹs main river basins flow through Albania into the Adriatic Sea and
through Greece into the Aegean Sea.
Urbanisation, land abandonment, overexploitation of resources due to poverty, intensification of agricultural and forestry practices, changes in the water
regime due to construction of dams and irrigation as well as pollution are some of the main concerns in the region. Coastal zones, rivers and wetlands are
particularly vulnerable in the short run but in the longer term the mountain meadow ecosystems are also considered vulnerable.
The EU integration process is encouraging river basin approaches to water management based on the Water Framework Directive. International frameworks
for the Danube and Sava river basins are also promoting this approach.
A wave of planned hydropower plants is reported throughout the region. Numerous planned dams would severely impact the freshwater ecosystem services
of the region.
In terms of bio‐diversity, Western Balkans feature rich and numerous well preserved ecosystems. Oak, beech, and conifer forests nestle alongside outstanding
plant diversity – important sanctuaries for large carnivores such as the lynx, the European brown bear and wolf. The Eastern Adriatic is one of the richest
fishing grounds in the Mediterranean and commercial fish species, whales, dolphins and marine turtles thrive. The area boasts an extensive network of rivers
and lakes in Europe and wetlands of international importance such as the Neretva delta in Bosnia and Croatia, and Shkodra lake in Montenegro and Albania
as well as Ohrid lake in Macedonia and Albania.
In recent years, the generation of municipal waste has risen steadily in the Western Balkans, and it is currently estimated to be at levels similar to those in the
EU‐12 (data on solid waste, however, are poor). Municipal waste management is weak in many parts of the region and many waste facilities are old.
Abandoned landfills are a problem. In addition, both ongoing and accumulated industrial waste, and in particular mining waste, is also a serious problem in
some areas.
Countries in the region have also been affected by droughts but floods are also becoming a frequent risk – in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
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Fact-sheet 28 - Regional - 8306-00/2013
1.3
Conflicts about the use of resources
See list of documents
1.4
Status and trends in the standard of living
See list of documents
Countries in the Western Balkans face many threats to social cohesion, especially in terms of tensions between rich and poor. They also point to strong
perceptions of social injustice and concerns about corruption. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and to some extent in Kosovo, inter‐ethnic tensions in
the Western Balkans are also present.
In terms of potential conflicts the Trepca mine in Kosovo has been subject of clashes for the rights over its production as it is located in the northern part of
Kosovo – mostly populated by Serbian minority. Plans for the construction of a dam in the Macedonian side of river Drinos sparked protests in Albania in
2014 as it would have resulted in an alteration of the river flow. Waste management affecting the pollution of lake Ohrid has also appeared to be an issue for
Macedonia and Albania.
During the nineties, much of the region experienced wars and destruction, waves of refugees, internal displacement of population, devastation of the
economy, demolition of institutions and impoverishment of citizens. Absolute poverty, in almost all of the Western Balkans is still relatively high. In some
countries extreme poverty, meaning that not even basic food needs can be met, has been registered. Groups that stand out as especially vulnerable and
excluded are the unemployed, dependents and the less educated. The poorest often live in the rural areas and in the underdeveloped regions. Socially
excluded groups include also the Roma, refugees and IDPs and persons with disabilities.
Concurrently undergoing transition, post conflict reconciliation and reconstruction and striving to pursue their European Union future, the Western Balkan
countries face the challenge of ensuring equitable and sustained economic growth that will also benefit the vulnerable groups. Almost all Western Balkan
countries, through their national plans and programs, have marked employment growth and job creation as the most important single mechanism for exiting
poverty. The second priority may be an increase of education coverage and improving the quality of education, although reduction of poverty and social
exclusion presupposes improvement in the areas of developing appropriate social safety nets, health care systems, securing adequate housing, participation in
decision making and protection of human rights.
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