SDG Summit 2023, UN HQ, New York
In the period back to back to the UN General Assembly in New York, the Summit on Sustainable Development Goals was held on September 18 and 19, 2023. Before the Summit, during the weekend of September 16 and 17, the SDG “Action Weekend” was held, as an opportunity for various interested stakeholders, representatives of the UN and member states to meet at the headquarters of the United Nations and present specific commitments and contributions to initiate the transformation of the Sustainable Development Goals from now until 2030.
The activities were divided into two days: “Mobilization Day” on September 16 and Acceleration Day on September 17. During the Mobilization Day, stakeholders from different sectors had the opportunity to gather at the United Nations headquarters and mobilize for the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals Summit and the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week. “Acceleration Day” focused on high-impact UN initiatives.
Civil society, the private sector, youth, scientists, local and regional governments, feminists and other actors have a key role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Their participation, contributions and catalytic mobilization are recognized as essential during the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The President of the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development Aleksandra Mladenović, attended the SDG Action Weekend and SDG Summit as a representative of an organization that has ECOSOC consultative status and as one of the representatives of the Women’s Main Group at the UN.
The focus of the Sustainable Development Goals Summit was on the fulfillment of the Goals. According to official data, at the global level, only 15% of the goals have been met so far, and we are halfway to the set deadline (2015-2030). It is obvious that, despite the frequent rhetorical glorification of the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals, there is no strong political will to fulfill the Goals, especially of the major world powers, which “hide” behind the success of smaller countries, who care, because the Goals are directly related on their progress, such as reducing poverty, ending hunger, accessing clean water and addressing climate change. The need to change the global “financial architecture” is increasingly being heard, bearing in mind that developing countries are increasingly stagnating, affected by large debts, which often amount to more than investments in key areas, such as education or health in those countries. Young people also raised their voices, because they are beginning to understand that adults are putting a “hot potato” in their hands, under the pretext that their future is already ruined by the present. The youth made it clear that without defined financial means for the Sustainable Development Goals individually, little or nothing will be able to be done in terms of their fulfillment. More at the link: https://www.un.org/en/conferences/SDGSummit2023/SDG-Action-Weekend
As part of the activities of the interested parties, there was also a two-day session of the “Global People Assembly”, where activists from 145 countries gathered and sent a Declaration demanding urgent action from decision-makers in the field of economic and financial justice, climate change, and the environment. social justice and gender equality, protection of civil society, and human rights. More at the link: https://www.peoplesassembly.global/en/
And last but not least, the Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals was held, and a political Declaration was adopted, covering the different and complementary functions of both sessions of the forum under the auspices of the General Assembly – the Summit and the forum under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC ). It seems that this Declaration, as well as the Summit itself, have become only a satisfactory form and “first companion” to the main event in the United Nations, which is the General Assembly. More about the Sustainable Development Goals Summit: https://www.un.org/en/conferences/SDGSummit2023/political-declaration
2023 Annual Conference – Our common future: for a European Green Deal 2
Annual Conference of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) was held in Stockholm, on May 8th, back to back with the General Assembly. The Conference started with an introductory speech on what we need our common future to look like and what we need to do to make this happen, led by European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and the Swedish Minister for Climate and the Environment. In the continuation of the Conference, the possibilities for tickling triple crises (concerning climate and energy, biodiversity and chemicals), why building on The European Green Deal, emphasizing the EU as a crucial player with a key role and responsibility in addressing these. For each one of the three crises, a panel discussed the main challenges which are facing, to what extent the European Green Deal delivered an appropriate EU policy and legislative response to the crisis, what milestones are yet to be achieved within this Commission and European Parliament, as well as what should the priorities for a European Green Deal 2.0, beyond the European elections in 2024?
The scale of the common global challenge and how policy, civil society, and science can make the change we need happen was the focus of the presentation of youths.
The Conference was held during the preparations for the elections for the EU Parliament, which will be held in the spring of 2024. it is evident that issues of importance for the protection of the environment are becoming less and less important topics among the majority of members of the European Parliament. It is necessary to find new ways to raise the importance of this topic, not only in the EU but also in the accession countries.
More about Conference: https://conference.eeb.org/
Schools go green and digital – and Erasmus+ supports teaching excellence!
A European Conference on the Challenges of Schools in the Face of climate change and digitalization was held in Bonn from May 3 to 5, 2023. With more than 200 participants in EU and WB countries, it was a really great opportunity to exchange best practices on how teachers are finding balance in the on and off-line world, how to learn to grow by protecting the environment and humans or to present possibilities of Teacher Academy to going green and digital.
Exhibition of best practices and exchange of experience, presentations of best practices in parallel groups, open space, partner finding, and parallel group discussions provided very well-organized opportunities to present results of different Erasmus + projects around Europe. Participants also received information about the Erasmus+ Programme and funding opportunities. Photo: ©PAD/Marcus Gloger
Most of the present teachers searched and found partners for future projects. In the end, the chances of eTwinning for future teachers were presented, and how to build resilience to disinformation in a digital media age.
Environmental Ambassadors had the opportunity to present the main results of the ongoing Erasmus + project “Forest-our long-life teacher” (ForLife), which is led by Association Doves from Slovenia, in partnership with Environmental Ambassadors from Serbia and Jump Association from Italy. This project focuses on the fight against climate change, covering inclusion and diversity of all fields of education and supporting teachers in gathering knowledge and green skills development. So far, three trainings under the projects are organized in Slovenia, Serbia and Italy, one online international conference and a lot of materials for teachers and students are produced. The project will be ended in August 2023.
Climate & Energy Working Group – Brussels
EEB Climate & Energy and Biodiversity Working Group – 27 February-1 March 2023 – Brussels, discuss main policy updates at the EU and national level, exchange on implementation challenges and advocacy opportunities, and present their work programme for 2023. EASD, as EEB member, participated at the meeting of Climate & Energy Working Group in Brussels and at Biodiversity Working Group online.
The first day is dedicated to climate issues ranging from the decarbonisation of buildings and heating and cooling technologies to the role of hydrogen, from the Paris Agreement-compatible (PAC) scenario to cross-cutting climate issues in agriculture, circular economy, air quality, and decarbonisation of industry.
The second day is dedicated to analysis and updates regarding the Renewable Energy Directive and REPowerEU, including an outlook of upcoming implementation challenges and advocacy opportunities. The third day is dedicated to nature conservation and biodiversity.
LOCCAR (Local Communities’ Climate Adaptation and Resilience)
According to the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (2020), the Western Balkans is recognized as one of the regions in Europe most heavily affected by climate change. In addition, climate risks are not sufficiently covered at the local level in the documents and activities implemented. Still, there is no understanding that climate change (heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, coastline erosion, rising sea levels) affects not only the environment but also the local economy and the health of the population, due to a lack of awareness raising among the local population. In its report for Western Balkan countries, European Commission in 2021 stated that they must align with the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change.
The project Local Communities’ Climate Adaptation and Resilience (LOCCAR) aims to assist local authorities in better understanding, preparing for, and managing climate risks, as well as developing innovative solutions to build resilience. The project will also contribute to establishing sustainable regional cooperation in building climate resilience in the Western Balkans, having in mind that efficient cooperation mechanisms among neighboring countries in the focus of this project (Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina) are missing, even though the transboundary nature of climate-related risks at the local level is reality.
The objective of LOCCAR project is to accelerate climate change adaptation on the local level in Western Balkans through enhancing Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) role in the transformation towards climate resilience, by empowering CSOs visibility in policymaking, raising awareness of local decision-makers on the impacts of climate change on the local communities and supporting sustainable regional cooperation in building climate resilience in the Western Balkans.
A regional round table with the participation of main stakeholders from all three countries will be organized at the end of the project. Based on consultations with selected municipalities, Brochures/Guidelines for the local decision-makers on climate change adaptation in local strategic and policy documents will be prepared and distributed. It is expected that in total 9 selected municipalities in two rounds of meetings with municipalities.will provide their contribution. Using the digital dissemination of the Brochure/Guidelines via websites and digital platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter) of the 3 CSOs and 9 municipalities, a significant portion of the population in Western Balkans will be reached with the Joint Project’s outputs.
Project partners are Center for Climate Change, Natural Resources and Energy of the University of Donja Gorica (leading partner, Montenegro), a Resource Center for the Environment REC BIH (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (Serbia).
LOCCAR project is financed by the Western Balkans Fund and co-financed by the EU in the frame of IPA.
Final LOCAL project publication (- Jačanje otpornosti i kapaciteta prilagođavanja lokalnih zajednica na klimatske promjene u Crnoj Gori, Bosni i Hercegovini, Centar za klimatske promjene, prirodne resurse i energiju Univerziteta Donja Gorica, Podgorica, juli 2023 )
Solar energy for citizens in Western Balkans
The project Solar energy for citizens in Western Balkans started in January 2023, supported by Western Balkan Fund and co-financed by EU, with the aim to promote the best practices regarding the possibility to use solar energy by citizens, informing, engaging and mobilizing citizens to be active participants in neutrality transition. During the project implementation, the WB-Solar Net web platform will be established in order to help CSOs in raising awareness on the great potential of solar energy for advancing the regional agenda for a green and sustainable economy, using innovative solutions on clean energy, and following EU Directives.
Nine partners from Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia will work together to enhance the capacities of CSOs in WB in addressing the poverty energy of marginalized groups, and to advocate for improving the legislation, simplifying and shortening the administrative procedures for delivering permissions to the citizens of WB to install photovoltaic panels. It is also expected that the capacities of CSOs will be improved, in order to strengthen the cross-border dialogue for environmental protection. In addition, through the project, CSOs will gather knowledge and improve their skills in raising the awareness for quick actions for the alignment of WBC policies with the recent European directives and initiatives.
At the end of the project, a network of CSOs and other stakeholders named “Western Balkans Solar Net/Solar4WB” will be established and become functional, to serve as a hub for best practices of self-consumers of solar energy. This will help citizens to be better informed about opportunities and possibilities, and to address the needs of marginalized groups of energy poverty. The network will provide initial recommendations on how to improve legislation, policies, and administrative procedures for potential solar energy users. The activities will be organized to update and consult the National Plans of Energy and Climate of Western Balkan countries.
The online website platform will be developed to become a future hub for CSOs, where will be presented different examples regarding the situation in the field of solar energy. Two webinars will be organized to present the situation of the solar sector, the opportunities, and the barriers. Advocacy efforts will be meetings with representatives of public institutions, TV discussions, articles in the newspapers, posts on social media, etc. The Western Balkans Solar Net, (Solar4WB) as a functional platform with data of members and stakeholders, legislation, procedures, and information on related subjects will be established and presented during the Final Conference at the end of the project.
The second online webinar “ADVOCATING FOR SOLAR ENERGY FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE WESTERN BALKANS “
Recap: 6 Key Tasks at COP27
In the lead up to COP 27 in Egypt ( NOVEMBER 2022, SHARM EL-SHEIKH), the World Resources Institute has put together a list of 6 priorities for this year’s conference. “It is important to underline these, for upcoming COP27” is the message from European Climate Pact Ambassador – EASD Honorable President :
1) Create a financing mechanism for addressing loss and damage
2) Scale up support for adaptation
3) Strengthen national emissions-reduction targets
4) Assure that the $100 billion climate finance promise will be met and move forward on new commitments
5) Advance the Global Stocktake to set the pace for climate action
6) Convert the treasure trove of Glasgow climate commitments into action
COP27 offers the possibility to foster greater cooperation at a time when the world needs it most. That’s the potential that leaders, governments and businesses should seize.
Happening at UNEP: OEWG1- Science-Policy Panel and pre-event webinar on Lessons learned for the Science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and prevention of pollution
EASD representative participated on October 6, 2022 in the first part of OEWG1: Science-Policy Panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (hybrid format).
The meeting allowed Member States and observers the opportunity to deliver general statements on the establishment of the science-policy panel (EASD is among observers*, in consultative status with ECOSOC and UNEP accredited, SAICM NGO Focal Point, participating also within NGOs Major Group, as well as Women Major Group). In its resolution 5/8, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), recognizing the importance of science-based assessments to inform decision-making processes, decided that a science-policy panel should be established to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. UNEA further decided to convene, subject to the availability of resources, an OEWG to prepare proposals for the science-policy panel, to begin work in 2022 with the ambition of completing it by the end of 2024.
Before that, on October 5th 2022, EASD representative participated in the second UNEP Webinar: Lessons learned for the Science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and prevention of pollution and organized by the UNEP Secretariat. The webinar focus is on lessons and examples from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the International Resource Panel (IRP), the Montreal Protocol, and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the design and operation of the new Science-policy panel. It was followed by a dialogue between speakers on urgent issues and questions from the chair of the meeting to the panel members.
* Organizations accredited to the Environment Assembly as well as stakeholders admitted as observers to the meetings of relevant chemicals and waste-related multilateral environmental agreements and focal points of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management may also participate as observers.
Call to action for a tomorrow without toxics
Sign the Call to Action here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecU8_1QRK983bsB1s92c0sHyVBv
adDWW2dW–T_46_JiWjgg/viewform
Urgent call for a strong SAICM-Beyond-2020-Framework ensuring sound chemicals and waste management!
Increasing chemical production, use of harmful chemicals, pollution, and waste are turning into a third planetary crisis[1], beside the climate and biodiversity crises, and at the same time exacerbating them. There is an urgent need for solution-focused actions along the whole lifecycle of chemicals and waste, addressing the threats to human health and the environment – from the enormous use of chemicals, poor chemicals and waste management, to the ever-increasing production and raw material extraction. The undersigned organizations stand together in urgently calling
on governments, industry, and other stakeholders to work towards a tomorrow without toxics. We urge them to actively reduce their chemical footprint and make prevention, reduction, and sound management of chemicals and waste a priority issue.
The current levels of chemicals used in industrial processes, agriculture and daily life products massively expose people and ecosystems to harmful substances.
Ubiquitous, excessive and often uncontrolled use of chemicals, their improper storage and disposal, and accidents, as well as the amount of waste in general and in particular mismanaged waste lead to harmful substances entering the environment, food chains, and human bodies. They poison air, soil and water, harm wildlife and cause biodiversity loss. Exposure to hazardous chemicals produces reproductive and neurological disorders, causes intergenerational effects, and the loss of livelihoods and food systems, among other things. The burdens fall disproportionately on the most financially oppressed, vulnerable and marginalized groups, such as Indigenous
Communities, people in the Global South, workers in industry and agriculture, women and children. This makes chemicals and waste management a cross-cutting issue.
The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Dubai Declaration, adopted in 2006 by the First International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM1), aimed to achieve sound management of chemicals and waste throughout their life cycle by 2020.[2] Now, at the beginning of the year 2022, we see an even more urgent need for action. SAICM has identified important issues and created a multi-sector platform and multi-stakeholder process for action, involving governments, civil society, businesses and academics. However, the overall objective has not been achieved and progress made is insufficient and mainly limited to information collection, while only a few concrete risk reduction measures have been undertaken. Adverse impacts on human health and the environment from raw material extraction, chemical production, use and disposal continue.
There is no time to waste.
We need an agreement for a strong SAICM-Beyond-2020-Framework that goes beyond the Dubai Declaration on International Chemicals Management[3] and secures ambitious reduction and prevention of harmful chemicals and waste globally, bringing about real change, including the implementation of safe alternatives. Our vision is a world where chemicals and wastes are no longer a source of harm and where all people live in safe and healthy environments, free from toxic threats to ecosystems and to future generations. We call upon all stakeholders to commit to this goal and to increase engagement, expressing a concrete will to end the poisoning of our world. Put a
SAICM-Beyond-2020-Framework urgently into practice as follows:
● Recognize and implement the precautionary and sustainability principles as basic principles and rationale behind all measures. Follow the hierarchy of prevention, elimination and minimization of hazardous substances.
● Include the possibility to stipulate or initiate binding elements for chemicals and waste management throughout the whole lifecycle, including raw material extraction, production, use and disposal of chemicals.
● Set ambitious targets and milestones. Make national action plans binding for all SAICM stakeholders, which particularly promote implementation and monitoring. Include concrete activities to solve the Issues of Concern in SAICM national action plans as well as education and awareness raising measures. Ensure that groups of related chemicals are addressed in the framework and in related action plans
● Establish mechanisms for implementation and progress reporting, and independent monitoring, as well as mechanisms for compliance.
● Realize global implementation on all levels (i.e. local, national, regional and international levels) and ensure this through national action plans. Make a SAICM-Beyond-2020-Framework compatible with other global treaties
including a future legally binding Plastics Treaty[4] or a future international regulation on pesticides[5].
● Secure the multistakeholder and multisectoral character of SAICM. Ensure that the negotiation process is carried out in a way that guarantees equal and fair participation of all stakeholders and right holders, as well as the
possibility to bring in contributions, especially from the civil society.
● Guarantee solid, sustainable, and reliable financing by the internalization of external costs, according to the Polluter Pays Principle. This could be achieved through a coordinated tax on chemical feedstocks, levied by the
national governments where the chemicals are produced[6], ensuring and prioritizing the support for developing and emerging countries. Especially civil society organizations, Indigenous Communities, and science, including citizen science, should be eligible for funding. Further options to implement the Polluter Pays Principle are to be explored and implemented.
● Make sure that a SAICM-Beyond-2020 addresses the identified shortcomings of the predecessor framework and in particular, that solutions for all identified Issues of Concern (IoCs) are developed and new IoCs included when they are needed. Current IoCs must be kept until resolved[7]. This includes e.g. a global phase-out of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) and their replacement with agroecology in line with ICCM4 resolution, measures to reduce endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) exposure for humans and the environment, and transparency and traceability for chemicals in products.
● Guarantee globally equal safety levels for everyone and everywhere. States must ensure the protection of people and the environment through laws and regulations that hold producers accountable along the entire supply chain
and throughout the whole lifecycle. Eliminate unethical and unacceptable double standards.
● Support the approach of a binding Global Minimum Transparency Standard[8] as a first step for chemicals in products and the establishment of labeling according to UNEP SCP guidelines[9]. This can ensure transparency and
traceability, which are, together with the right to know, key requirements for a safe circular economy globally. It further helps to eliminate double standards and dumping of products in countries with less ambitious chemicals legislation, and to guarantee an equal level of safety for everyone everywhere.
● Ensure sensitivity to the different exposition and vulnerability of people and groups of people to hazardous substances, depending on their area of residence, occupation, social and economic status, age, and gender. Consider
that children are particularly vulnerable to hazardous substances and must be protected from being born pre-polluted.
● Better protect women from hazardous chemicals, by implementing gender responsive policies, mainstreaming gender-equality and collecting gender disaggregated data. Recognize and encourage the leadership role of women in society, politics and science, and also in a SAICM-Beyond-2020-Framework. Consider that women are more susceptible to harmful chemicals than men and have different windows of vulnerability, e.g. during pregnancy.
They are also exposed differently to toxic chemicals due to their gender roles.
● Recognize the principles and values of the universal human rights[10]. Support all right holders, according to the respective international resolutions and declarations[11].
● Recognize the principles of the Rio-Declaration on Environment and Development and the principles of the Agenda 2030, as basic principles.
● Acknowledge the role of chemicals and waste in the biodiversity and climate crises and take action to address these impacts through decreased chemical production, use and disposal, phase out of harmful substances and
implementation of safe and non-chemical alternatives
Urgent call for a strong SAICM-Beyond-2020-Framework ensuring sound chemicals and waste management!
Study visit to Grenoble – the Green Capital of Europe
Within the project “Pulse of Europe – EU media visits“, funded by the European Union in Serbia, the President of the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, Aleksandra Mladenović, had the opportunity to participate in a study visit with a group of journalists from Serbia. They had opportunity to find why Grenoble is the Green Capital of Europe in 2022.
The Green Capital of Europe Award has been given since 2008 to cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants committed to sustainable urban development. Awarded cities provide an example to other cities to encourage them to use resources on sustainable way, and to preserve the environment for all. So far, 13 cities have received the award, including, from region, Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, which was awarded in 2016.
During the visit to the mayor of Grenoble, special emphasis was placed on sustainable development – the city administration is committed to sustainable development, equally observing and respecting all three pillars: the environment, economic opportunities and social conditions. They provide great support to companies that base their development on the sustainable use of resources, but assistance is also given to residents who decide to become more energy efficient, or switch to using one of the available types of renewable energy sources.
Grenoble has several “Eco-districts”, which is a national label for parts of the city that are developing on the principles of sustainable development. Thus, in the “Cambridge Eco-district” there are two ABC (“autonomous” and self-sustainable) buildings with 42 apartments that receive energy from their solar and high voltage panels. Water is recycled from rainwater, residents make compost, they have an artificial lake available for relaxation and entertainment, but also a red light in the shower as a warning if they use it for too long. This “Eco-district” is being developed in harmony with the mountainous environment of Grenoble, using geothermal energy for the irrigation system. Both older and young people who are living in ABC buildings say they are very happy and satisfied to be volunteers who will live in these buildings for five years, as in some kind of experiment. At the end of this experimental period, the degree of sustainability of this way of life and use of resources will be evaluated.
“Eco-District Flaubert”, for example, has three hectares of parks, which are a trademark of the city, and buildings are built of natural materials (woods, for example). Residents have opportunity to participate in planning the look of buildings (this is the case with future schools, for which students and teachers were interviewed and who gave suggestions on what kind of school they would like to get). Such buildings have gardens on the roofs, which are taken care of by the residents, who grow a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Grenoble also has companies dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable use of resources. Thus, the building in which Schneider Electric operates is a “net zero energy building” – they produce energy as much as they need, by solar panels and wind farms. Also, the Local Energy and Climate Agency in the city of Saint-Martin-d’Heres, located near Grenoble (both cities, together with 47 other “cities” make up the Grenoble-Alps region) helps citizens to participate in the insulation of buildings in which they live, allowing them to pay smaller heating bills.
Through the “Wall-Wall” program, the insulation of 202 residential buildings (almost 10,000 apartments) has been done since 2010. Homeowners are offered favorable loans for up to 20 years of repayment. Citizens of Grenoble can also get involved in initiatives that support the production of energy from renewable sources, such as Énerg’Y Citoyennes. This company enables the production of electricity from solar panels in 10 municipalities in the Grenoble area, and among 364 interested parties, the largest number are citizens.
The first national meeting on the ForLife project “Forest – our lifelong teacher” was held in Forestry school in Kraljevo
On the occasion of the World Forest Day, the first national meeting was held in Kraljevo as an introduction to the For Life project “Forest – our lifelong teacher”. The meeting was attended by representatives of all Eco-schools from Kraljevo and Cacak, who will work in the coming months on the preparation of materials on forests and climate change, for teachers and students and participate in exchanges organized in Slovenia and Italy during the project. The participants presented their previous experiences in working with children and students aged 5 to 15, on the topic of forests and climate change. There is already a lot of interesting material, which will be renewed and improved during the project.
As a symbol of the project, a tree was planted in the yard of the Forestry School, so that it grows as the results of the project grow. A meeting of all partners and training for teachers from Slovenia and Italy will be held in Serbia, in September 2022, hosted by teachers and staff of the Forestry School from Kraljevo. They will show the area under the forest and prepare materials on the importance of forests, sustainable management, forests as an economic resource, but also about forest importace for climate change mitigation and environmental protection.
Eco-schools participating in the project are following: Forestry School, Mechanical Engineering School, Elementary School IV Kraljevo Battalion, Elementary School Dimitrije Tucovic, Elementary School Branko Radicevic, Elementary School Jovo Kusula, Elementary School Olga Milutinovic (Kraljevo), School Vuk Karadzic (Sombor), PU My childhood (Čačak).
The ForLife project is implemented within the Erasmus + program, supported by the European Union. The project was managed by the Doves organization from Slovenia, and the partners are Jump from Italy and the Ambassadors of Sustainable Development and Environment from Serbia.
You can see the materials from the first national meeting here 1, 2, 3.
Forest – our lifelong teacher (Erasmus+)
ForLife is a joint project of three partners: Doves, Slovenia (project leader), Jump (Italy) and Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (Serbia), under the Erasmus+ Program.
EC Project Number: 2021-1-SI01-KA210-SCH-
National Project ID: KA210-SCH-2/21
Project title: Forest – our lifelong teacher
The projects is in line with the new EU Priority “European Green Deal” which is a strong claim and a new strong message of the EU towards all citizens. The project aims to train and empower teachers in the field of global challenges of environmental education (with emphasis on forests and the connection to climate change), through quality lessons and outdoor activities to achieve goals in the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The professional support of experts who will share their knowledge in the field of forestry will be provided to teachers, in order to enable them the opportunity to exchange experience of good practice that they will transfer to their work. At the end of the project, teachers will be sufficiently qualified, confident, with new skills and knowledge to be able to pass on to students and educate them about the importance of forests in relation to climate change. It is expected that students will, in following period, change their attitude towards forests and show the concern for nature and the future of our planet through their activities (not only in schools, but also widely) and to become active citizens. The role and importance of forests and their main functions (social, production and especially ecological) will be emphasized during the project, as well as the inclusion of forest visits in regular school work will be proposed, in order to improve knowledge regarding forest as a natural environment in Europe, to emphasize the importance of forest protection, but also afforestation and sustainable forest management. Teachers that teach students with special needs, marginalized and sensitive groups (Roma and immigrants who often have difficulty learning due to their knowledge of terminology, women and girls) will be included in the project, having in mind they do not have as many opportunities to participate in international projects. Through practical activities, games and outdoor activities, the mentioned groups can actively participate, learn and gain new knowledge about forests. The sustainable forest management requires the adoption of practices that take in account scenarios of future climate. Information/educational instruments are foreseen as the important tool of the resilience of the forest to climate change (educational institutions have important role, including Eco-Schools and others).
The implementation of these measures needs to be supported by a training and awareness raising that builds both general knowledge on climate change and forest management. The project is primarily aimed at teachers who teach students aged 5 -15. Teachers who educate children with special needs or work with marginal groups (Roma and immigrants), with the project activities they will help these children to easily integrate into society and encourage them to contribute to the overall progress.
The project goal is to achieve state in which teachers will feel equipped and competent to transfer knowledge in the first place to the secondary group indirectly involved in the project: colleagues, school managements and further students, which will gain new knowledge in the field of forests. The teachers involved will continue to share their knowledge and experience at professional meetings for teachers, study groups, thematic conferences, the network of Eco-schools in Slovenia and Serbia also have its own monthly newspaper, through which they inform the teachers involved in the programme.
Project ForLife started in February 2022, and lasts until July 2023. It is supported by EU, throught the Erasmus+ programm.
Kick-off meeting was held on February 24-25, 2022 in Portorož, Slovenia, with participation of all three partner organizations. It was very good opportunity to discuss upcoming activities in each country, as well as activities that will be organized jointly, as trainings for teachers involved in the project. During the meeting there was also opportunity to visit Skocijan cave, to see how on of the forest track in the vicinity of Skocijan looks, to learn about educational activities that National forestry institute from Slovenia organize with school children, and to see how Eco-schools program is running in pre-school in Slovenia.
Final online Conference on the project: Forest – our lifelong teacher May 29-31, 2023
Schools go green and digital – and Erasmus+ supports teaching excellence!
IPEN global plastics monitoring project
The aim of the IPEN global plastics monitoring project is to raise awareness locally and globally about hazardous chemicals in recycled plastics used for consumer products. The project targeted recycled plastic pellets of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sold from small-scale, local operations, since this is one of the most commonly used material for consumer products. These have been analyzed for UV stabilizers, Decabromodiphenyl ether (deca BDE) and PCBs.
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development participated in the project as IPEN participated organization. The recycling facility EASD used as project site is situated in north-west Serbia, and there are app. 75 employees. The facility was founded 15-16 years ago. 75% of products are for the export, to the Central European Countries (Poland, Czech Republic…). Other 25% is sold to the domestic plastic producers (placed around Serbia), which use these recycled plastic pellets to produce plastic products, but not for food storage.
There are several steps performed to produce recycled plastic pellet, from yield small pieces of plastic (flakes or fragments) to the pellet that is using in next steps of production cycle.
All secondary raw material is used in the recycling process (“zero waste” at the end of the process). They use plastic breakage and waste from its production to make plastic buckets for the construction sector, black colored.
The input plastic is coming from unformal secondary raw collectors, but the large number are also imported.
The samples of plastic pellets were used from the facility and sent to IPEN to be analyzed. The samples were analyzed at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague in the Czech Republic. More at …..
The results are shown in the study: Widespread chemical contamination of recycled plastic pellets globally.
Presentations:
Widespread chemical contamination of recycled plastic pellets globally
Global plastic pellet samplings – Results and briefing
Press Release:
Further promotion of results:
April 28, 2022 – Participating at Local Round Table in Perlez, municipality Zrenjanin, presenting issues of toxic additives in plastics pellets and IPEN study, as well as capturing synergies between plastic pollution (and with decarbonization and climate change. About 10 people from this small town participated.
Activities of awareness raising in Serbia are posted on site in Serbian language.
EU Climate Pact for Serbia: Snapshot targeted rehearsal of country’s obligations in climate action….
Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade, on December 2, 2021, organized Round table Legal and Social Responses to Climate Change – a new strategic framework in Serbia.
EASD Honorable president and European Climate Pact Ambassador had opening presentation EU Climate Pact for Serbia: Snapshot targeted rehearsal of country’s obligations in climate action, based on signed and ratified international multilateral agreements (presentation in Serbian language is available).
Satellite-like activity in Serbia (and region): Serious of “Seminars for Climate and Environment Ambassadors”
Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov as European Climate Pact Ambassador launched satellite-like activity as serious of “Seminars for Climate and Environment Ambassadors”. Launched event was National Eco-Schools coordinators meeting, held in Vladimirovci, Serbia on October 8, 2021. With introductory speech, she informed about upcoming serious of climate education and awareness raising “Seminars for Climate and Environment Ambassadors”, structured by European Pact Ambassador on Climate Pact priority topics, and to be realized by professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” through national network of Eco-Schools (with more than 100 educational institutions from pre-school to university level).
The first one will be webinar on November 25, 2011 with green knowledge and skills as thematic focus, with agenda focus on “vocabulary” and terms understanding related EU Climate Pact and Green Deal/Fit for 55, to be presented by Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov. Case activities and lectures on theme will be presented by other professors, having as the base Climate Box .
Registration is mandatory: https://forms.gle/LoBoNrQSxSEQLcXv5
Time: Nov 25, 2021 09:30 AM Budapest
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 856 2230 5302
Passcode: 023813
The second webinar will be in February 2022 with thematic focus on green areas and buildings. This seminar will be partially supported by Ministry of Environmental Protection of Republics of Serbia, and project Water and Sanitation Safety Planning in the Balkan Region. The third webinar/seminar will be in May/June 2022 with thematic focus on green transport.
These satellite-like events clearly go along the objectives and values of the Climate Pact, involving a number of citizens to take climate action and building a greener country, region and Europe. Real assumption is that each of seminars will attract at least 50 teachers and professors (150+ for 3 seminars), reaching further at least about 4000 students and pupils, further influencing their families and community members on climate friendly way of living. Seminars will not be limited to Eco-schools; it will be open also to public in all countries in region for participants able to follow presentations in Serbian language.
In advance of UNEA 5.2: EASD participated in the International Consultation for Major Groups & Stakeholders
International Consultation for Major Groups & Stakeholders, in advance of UNEA 5.2, Stockholm+50 and UNEP@50 was held from September 7th to 9th online. The objective of the consultation is to advance the development of strategies around specific initiatives such as resolutions, declarations, decisions tabled for UNEA 5.2, to further develop core messages and positions, and to prepare input from the Major Groups to the 155th meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and the 8th Annual Subcommittee meeting of the CPR.
Each Major Group had the opportunity to make a short statement, so reflections are presented under Agenda item related to Preparations for the resumed session of UNEA-5, in the form of the summary statement from this international consultation. Also, under Agenda item regarding Preparations for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of UNEP, the UNEP@50 task force presented a statement.
The consultation is expected to advance the development of MGS’ statements and positions, in particular around the thematic clusters and task forces set up to prepare for UNEA 5.2. The participants had opportunity to contribute in particular on the following topics:
1.The UNEP We Want / UNEP @50
2. Environmental governance / Resolution 73/333 including Escazu Agreement, environmental defenders, Stockholm+49
3.Marine litter and plastics treaty
4.Stockholm+50
5.Nature for Climate
6.Nature for Poverty Eradication, Jobs and Economic Prosperity
7.Food systems
8.Chemicals, Waste, Mercury
9.Nature for Health
During the second day following documents started to be prepared under the parallel sessions, and all participants had possibility to contribute in oven capacities:
Draft Joint Statement The UNEP We Want
Draft Joint Statement of Support Draft Resolution Plastics Treaty
Draft Position Nature for Health Cluster
Joint Statement Environmental Governance Cluster
Draft recommendations Chemicals, Waste & Mercury
Input for the CPR and Annual Subcommittee Meeting
The overall impression is that Major Groups & Stakeholders had enough knowledge and experience, as well as willingness, to cooperate in the best way, in order to demonstrate importance of joint actions towards climate change and to contribute to the protection of the environment at the global level.
CLIMATE BOX is available in Serbian language!
We are promoting the use of “CLIMATE BOX” – Serbian Edition (available in English and Russian language ).
This is outreach result of the project Adaptation of the innovative interactive learning toolkit on climate change – the Climate Box , EASD team with partners developed in 2020 and 2021. The main objectives of the project are to promote education and awareness on climate change impacts and drivers among youth and general public, and to enhance the ability of Serbia to participate actively in addressing the global environmental threat of climate change.
Environmental Communication: Media Archive Reports as a Participant Science Tool
EASD presented on August 3, 2021, research paper Environmental Communication: Media Archive Reports as a Participant Science Tool (Authors are A.Mihajlov, A.Mladenovic, F.Jovanovic) at 6th International Conference on Communication and Management (ICCM2021), hosted and organized by Communication Institute of Greece.
By sharing experience, this paper justifies environmental communication through the media archive reports as participant science tool, considering that journalists/media are representing citizens (with common interests). In the case of Serbia, illustrative justification that media archive reports could be used as participative tool to supplement official observation and monitoring, is presented, showing that the same trends of citizens/journalist’s attention to environment and environmental performance and progress (in the European Union accession process) in Serbia. In timeline, when sector environment has better performance, it is bigger interest of citizens/journalists/media to environmental issues.
This article benefited from the European Union funded project “ENV.Net Factoring the Environmental Portfolio for WB and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda” (2017/394-372). The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. Also, authors would like to express gratitude to Media archive Ebart, Belgrade, Serbia for contribution in data collecting. Data used in this paper were gathered through the research on nexus media-environmental issues in Serbia, which was based on initial idea jointly developed by respective journalist Velimir Ćurgus Kazimir (1948-2018), Media Archive Ebart founder and this paper co-author Andjelka Mihajlov, co-founder of Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development.
By this presentation Prof Mihajlov, as paper presenter, also informed and inspired climate actions in contribution to the European Climate Pact , empowering citizens to shape a greener Europe…..participants of this Conference was great ‘communication network” for this. To note that in July 2021 Prof Andjelka Mihajlov, Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development, was acknowledged by European Commission DG Clima as European Climate Pact Ambassador , among others for Green skills .
Ref.: Environmental Communication: Media Archive Reports as a Participant Science Tool (Authors: A.Mihajlov, A.Mladenovic, F.Jovanovic) , Abstract Book “Communicating in a ‘Modern’ Word” , 6th International Conference on Communication and Management – ICCM 2021, page 30, Edited by Communication Institute of Greece (COMinG), ISBN: 978-618-81861-9-4 (2021)
EASD and European Climate Pact Ambassador participate at ACUNS Annual Meeting
EASD and European Climate Pact Ambassador Prof Andjelka Mihajlov (also Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development) participate at Academic Council on the UN System – ACUNS Annual Meeting. EASD is ACUNS Institutional Member.
At the Panel Climate Change and International Institutions, she presented “UNEP at 50 should have a Guiding Role in What “Green” Really Means” , and also serve as the Discussant at the Panel Understanding Climate Challenges and Searching for Solutions.
ENV.net3 project final steps – infographics with documents developed by EASD
WatSanPlan
WatSanPlan (Water and Sanitation Safety Planning in the Balkan Region: Albania, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia ). In cooperation with WECF, EASD is promoting WSSP in Serbia, through extension and revision of the WSSP compendium, WSSP educational materials & concepts, improve qualification of teachers and students in a Serbian community, conduct media campaign to motivate citizens to measure nitrate levels in water on their own, conduct relevant analysis and publication of results. The actions include public actions by students and teachers on the selected UN World Days, presentation of the project at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development of the UNECE (Economic Commission for Europe) in Geneva (Switzerland, March 2022), and in Berlin for BMU and other interested parties. All partners should get to know each other, tasks and responsibilities will be discussed in detail and assigned to individual persons. Milieukontakt Albania (MA) and Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (EASD) will be officially included in the Balkan WASH network.
Project is supported by funds from the Germen Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). EASD signed contract with Women Engage for a Common Future – WECF e.V., Germany. The timeframe of the project is from 01 September 2020 to 31 August 2022.
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EASD is at World Water Week ( Stockholm 2022)
UNEP@50 and World Environment Day
Joining the World menstrual hygiene day 2022; Reflection
BE CONNECTED WITH THE REGIONAL UNECE FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Link for Survey : SVETSKI DAN TOALETA 2021. GODINE – Učestvujte u istraživanju koliko su održivi načini tretmana otpadnih voda iz (Eko)škola u Srbiji –
TRAINING FOR STUDENTS – ALEKSANDROVAC, OCTOBER 22, 2021
Training for trainers on water safety and sanitation
(Razvoj plana za bezbednost vodosnabdevanja i sanitacije u ruralnoj zajednici )
Information paper on Climate Change and Floods
Promotion by media (in Serbian, Da li smo spremni za sve češće poplave? )
Promotion in schools (in Serbian, Kako smanjiti i sprečiti širenje infektivnih bolesti u školama )
Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action; Combating climate change and its impact in local communities
The project aims to involve representatives of the network of the international Eco-Schools program in Serbia to be more actively involved in strengthening the initiative in combating climate change, especially in local communities to which they belong, using previous experience and examples of good practice.
The project includes:
- Analysis of the current situation related to Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action, in relation to targets, with reference to the situation in Serbia
- Publications for extracurricular activities adapted to the age of primary school
- Poster on climate change, age-appropriate for secondary schools .
The project is supported by the Serbian Ministry of Environment in 2020.
Adaptation of the innovative interactive learning toolkit on climate change – the Climate Box
During 2013-2015, UNDP developed and piloted in Russia a new innovative interactive learning toolkit on Climate Change –” Climate Box” . The toolkit was developed by an interdisciplinary team of Russian experts including climatologists, geographers, biologists, economists, environmental experts, teachers and methodologists, and launched on UNFCCC 21st Conference of Parties (in Paris, 2015). Since 2016, the toolkit has been adapted, translated into national languages and piloted in 7 other countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Since 2020, Serbia has joined the Climate Box project.
The purpose of the project is to adapt the innovative interactive learning toolkit on climate change – the Climate Box into Serbian language.
The main objectives of the project are to promote education and awareness on climate change impacts and drivers among youth and general public, and to enhance the ability of Serbia to participate actively in addressing the global environmental threat of climate change.
CLIMATE BOX is available in Serbian language!
ENV.net
ENV.net project consists of ENV.net 1/2 (2012-2016) and ENV.net 3 (2017-2020) projects. EC supported
ENV.net 1/2: ENV.net – Development of ENV.net in West Balkan and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration, EuropeAid/132438/C/
ACT/Multi – 2012/306-642 and 2014/351-610; Partners for project implementation are: Puntosud , EASD , Co-PLAN , EEB – European Environmental Bureau, ATRC and TEMA . The project builds on the experience of an EU-funded project, namely the Environment Forum, implemented in the period 2009-2012, aiming at developing capacities of environmental NGOs to establish a constructive dialogue with national authorities. The present project strategy has been designed to achieve a greater commitment and capacity of a group of CSOs coming from Environment Forum experience and which have agreed on the creation of a new network, the ENV.net, to support the civil activism, give citizens a voice and influence the public reform processes in the approximation to the environment acquis. With the view to further enhance their capacities to work with CSOs and to share experience with other European countries, EEB has accepted to participate and to share its experience. Project objective – Greater commitment and capacity of the ENV.net to give citizens a voice and influence public sector reform processes in the environment sector through analysis, monitoring and advocacy. As one of the outcome National ENV.net networks (to complement Regional ENV.net network) were established; established ENV.net Network in Serbia have 54 organizations (multistakeholders).
ENV.net3: “ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda” – EuropeAid/154870/ACT/Multi ; EASD (Serbia) partners for project implementation are: 4X4X4 Balkan Bridges from North Macedonia, European Environmental Bureau from Belgium, Advocacy Training and Resource Center, from Kosovo*, Green Home, from Montenegro, Lir Evolution, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, TEMA – the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and Protection of Natural Habitats, from Turkey and Foundation Punto,Sud, from Italy. The project contributes to the improvement of environmental policy-making and implementation in compliance with the EU standards. To this end, the network foresees to contribute to both improved and intensified inter-action among actors (including environmental CSOs, media and policy-makers) and an overall more enabling technical and financial environment where these actors operate. The action sets out to strengthen the profile of ENV.net as the leading network and bridging actor in environmental policy-influencing in the WB and Turkey region (vis-à-vis EU). Further, it foresees introducing and initiating a discussion on the Circular Economy concept in the region, as well as intensifying climate change actions. The action also foresees a number of value-adding, cross-cutting elements such as inter-partner learning/exchange, networking, and thematic organisational support to third parties (i.e. local grass-root organisations, media).
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Paper published: Andjelka Mihajlov, Aleksandra Mladenovic & Filip Jovanovic, Contribution to Environmental Communication: comparative analysis of two qualitative methods as the performance to European Union accession, in “Adapt to Survive. The role of social media, sharing and communication to ameliorate this world “, Conference Proceedings Book Edited by Margarita Kefalaki, Communication Institute of Greece (COMinG),Athens, p.57-66 , 2021 ( ISSN: ISBN: 978-618-85622-3-3 ), Available at https://coming.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_1_2021_Adapt-to-survive_Book_conf-proceedings_COMinG.pdf
Selected activities:
March 2021:
Information paper on Climate Change and Energy
Information paper on Climate Change and Floods
August 2021: Environmental Communication: Media Archive Reports as a Participant Science Tool
Promotion by media (Da li smo spremni za sve češće poplave?)
December 31, 2020: ENV.net3 project final steps – infographics with documents developed by EASD
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Report on monitoring the progress of national environmental legislation (Chapter 27) in 2018, 2019, and half-year 2020, with projections through end-2020 / Izveštaj o monitoringu napredovanja nacionalnog zakonodavstva o životnoj sredini (Poglavlje 27) u 2018., 2019. i prvoj polovini 2020. godine, sa projekcijom do kraja 2020.godine (Extended abstract in English, Full text in Serbian)
Position Paper on COVID 19 and waste management
Circular Economy goes beyond Waste Management presented at EurAsia Waste Management Symposium 2020
Information paper on meaning of Cluster “Green agenda and sustainable connectivity” for Serbia
Reflection paper on air quality data for Serbia
2020 Spotlight Report on Circular Economy in Serbia
EASD publication on circular economy acknowledged by European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform
Virtual tour on the experience from Italian practices in circular economy
November 2020: Joint civil society statement for Sofia Summit
EASD research presented at EurAsia Waste Management Symposium
October 2020, New Momentum for the Environmental Agenda in the Western Balkans and Turkey?
Establishment of the South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP
Recap the moments from EnE19/ENV.net Conference
March 2019: UN Environment : 4th Assembly (and pre- and side-events) , ENV.net related event
November 2018: To report: The first Regional Conference on Circular Economy was success ; The first regional conference on circular economy, Belgrade, November 2018: Agenda
Call for sub-grants (6.novembar 2018: Otvoren poziv za dodelu sub-grantova u okviru ENV.net projekta)
YRE competition: apply before February 1, 2019.; Theme: Energy Efficiency
ENV.net Initiative: to update National Strategy on Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Goods, by applying Circular Economy concept ; ENV.net Initiative and Knowledge based advocacy: to update National Strategy of Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
Circular economy knowledge based advocacy in Eco-schools network in Serbia
May 2018. Guest lectures made at two Universities in Serbia: “Circular economy is concept and process, and still not full circle” ; Participation at the Green Parliamentary Group meeting
Follow project at : facebook.com/envnetsite/ and www.env-net.org
February 2018 – ENV.net 3 Kick-off Meeting in Tirana
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In December 2017. we started with ENV.net 3 : ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda (reference number 2017/394-372)
ENV.net 3 – Serbia team include: Aleksandra Mladenovic –National Coordinator and Manager. In addition, Thematic experts/consultants, on demand, are Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov and Filip Jovanovic, and Media communication expert, on demend, is Milica Momcilovic.
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Development of ENV.net in West Balkan and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration – EuropeAid/132438/C/ACT/Multi – 2012/306-642 and 2014/351-610 (2012-2016)
The project builds on the experience of an EU-funded project, namely the Environment Forum , implemented in the period 2009-2012, aiming at developing capacities of environmental NGOs to establish a constructive dialogue with national authorities. The present project strategy has been designed to achieve a greater commitment and capacity of a group of CSOs coming from Environment Forum experience and which have agreed on the creation of a new network, the ENV.net, to support the civil activism, give citizens a voice and influence the public reform processes in the approximation to the environment acquis. With the view to further enhance their capacities to work with CSOs and to share experience with other European countries, EEB has accepted to participate and to share its experience. Project objective – Greater commitment and capacity of the ENV.net to give citizens a voice and influence public sector reform processes in the environment sector through analysis, monitoring and advocacy.
Partners for project implementation are: Puntosud , EASD , Co-PLAN , EEB – European Environmental Bureau , ATRC and TEMA . EASD Activity circles represent the scope of our activities.
Project launched site for presentation of activities in all participating countries, as well as facebook page and ENV.net Newsletters.
ENV.net 1/2– Serbia team include: Dr Nataša Žugić Drakulić –National Coordinator and Filip Jovanović – project manager , chosen in transparent process by „ Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development“, partner organisation in this project. In addition, National consultant for European integration is Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov , dr Hristina Stevanović Čarapina is leading expert .
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ENV.net Serbia network is functioning : Some of activities could be followed only in Serbian, like calls to participate, and other actions targeted to citizens in Serbia.
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Highlights: ENV.net publications
- A Guideline of EU Accession Monitoring Tools for CSOs in candidate and potential candidate countries: Chapter 27, (Authors and contributors: Andjelka Mihajlov, Natasa Zugic-Drakulic, Filip Jovanovic, Federico Bastia, Simona Pogliani, Mara Silina, Teida Shehi and Dusko Hristov), Published by Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development with the financial assistance of the EU – ENV.net project document, Belgrade January 2015
- How to influence environmental policy through effective advocacy (Authors: Margherita Tolotto and Mara Silina), ENV.net Advocacy Toolkit, European Environmental Bureau, Brussels, January 2015
- Climate change and challenges of the enlargement (Authors: Anja Kolmuss, Dragana Mileusnic, Zanna Vanrenterghem and Richard Filcak), ENV.net Advocacy Toolkit, European Environmental Bureau, Brussels,September 2016
June 2016: Agenda, WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe” , REPORT FROM EnE16-ENV.net, BELGRADE, SERBIA
April 2016 – ENV.net Course: CSO Participation in Accession Process , Chapter 27: CSOs participation
March 2016 – New internet portal: Greenweb
January 2016 – Save the date for EnE16-ENV.net Conference ; We participate: Regional Conference: „Sustainability of the FPAs” , Brussels . Water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus assessment in the Sava River Basin – Lessons learned and further steps
October – December 2015 – Ministry support to ENV.net , Event
October – Partnership for Climate Change issue : Serbia’s climate talks – on the way to Paris
June 11 – European Commission Vice-President Mr Maroš Šefčovič had meeting with CSOs in Belgrade. EASD participate!
June 7 – Bicycling-ENV.net promotion in town Gornji Milanovac , Green day in Gornji Milanovac
June 5 – Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe” EnE15 – ENV.net EU Environmental Horizontal Legislation: Methods, Standards and Tools , Invitation , AGENDA , Proc. of papers
May 26, 2015 – Promotional activity
April 21, 2015 – Participation in Public Hearing on Climate Change related challenges in Republic of Serbia
April – THE ELEVENTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE ENVIRONMENT TO EUROPE – ENE15 – ENV.NET acknowledged as the European Sustainable Development Week event
March 22 – Celebrating the World Water Day in Serbia: field visit to Ada Ciganlija
February 2, 2015: Invitation for EnE15-ENV.net Conference launched
January 29, 2015: A Guideline of EU Accession Monitoring Tools for CSOs in candidate and potential candidate countries (ENV.net region): Chapter 27 , document finalized
January , 2015: Promotion of Publication
December 31: Thematic Publication “Environment to Europe”, 2014 ( Tematski zbornik radova “Životna sredina ka Evropi”)
December 12: ENV.net Serbia Seminar: Environmental Education in Schools
November 24-25, ENV.net on the margins of ECF Annual Meeting in Brussels with European Commision
November 4-5 , Regional training on the process of designation of potential Natura 2000 sites
October 30 – Conference “EU accession in the field of environmental protection and the role of local authorities”
October 28 – Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection is co-funded ENV.net project , contract signed
October 22-23, Belgrade: ENV.net training: “EU project design process and Implementation of environmental policy”, Invitation , Agenda , Training
October 2014 – ENV.net brochure published and presented
October 14 – ENV.net related: Participation on Conference “Eco-standards and Education”
October 8 – “Little progress has been made in the areas of environment and climate change”
September 29 – ENV.net Round-table Dialogue for Green Future (ENV.net okrugli sto sa niškim srednjoškolcima “Dijalogom ka zelenijoj budućnosti“) (sub-grant)
September 23-25, Brussels: ENV.net preparatory partnership meeting and Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) Closing Event for Phase I
September 19-24 , We are following Explanatory Screening for the Chapter 27
August 29 – ENV.net (sub-granting) publication published PUBLICATION : “Species of plants and animals of special conservation concern in EU” , in Serbian
July 27 – Partnership with media – Radio Beograd 2
June 19 – Eco-package initiative as the example environmental education for the future EU citizens
June 5 – CONFERENCE , ENV.net multi-stakeholder Conference on Chapter 27: about 200 participants
June 4 – Meeting with media , Moments from the Conference for Media
May 29, 2014 – ENV.net Serbia Conference organisation on the good track –Agenda for EnE14/ENV.net Conference “Environment to Europe”, June 5, 2014 in SCC – opening at 10:00
May 22-24, 2014 – 4th Partners Meeting in Milan
May 13, 2014 – European Solar Days – participation in promotion of EU environmental values
May 10, 2014 – ENV.net Let us clean up Europe! event: Ada Ciganlija Beograd ; ENV.net Serbia with children, parents and teachers “cleaning up Serbia” , Event in pictures
May 22-24, 2014 – 4th ENV.net Partners Meeting in Milan
May 7-8, 2014 – Some of ENV.net Partners meet in the corridors of ECRAN ECF Meeting
April 25, 2014 – UNEP acknowledged EnE14-ENV.net 2014 Conference as the World Environmental Day Event
April 5, 2014 – Education for future citizens of EU: guest lecturing at the Law Faculty
April 4, 2014 – EU Delegation to Serbia: Consultative Meeting with CSOs on progress towards EU in 2014
Aprl 4, 2014 – We participated to the meeting related to EU-Serbia Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee – JCC
April 2, 2014 – ECRAN NGOs Environment and Climate Change Forum – Evaluation Outcome – Congratulation to ENV.net partners!!!!
April 1, 2014 – Protego and Protecta sign subcontracting contracts
Marc 20-9, 2014 – EASD written contribution to the 2014 Progress Report
March 25, 2014 – Participation on UNECE consultation related to the 3rd EPR for Serbia
March 23, 2014 – ENV.net sub-grants winners announced , ENV.net
March 20, 2014 – We participate on Panel at Faculty of Organisation Sciences – University of Belgrade : Knowledge about Environment
March 9, 2014 – Technical (formal requests) evaluation of sub-grants application finished: 45 projects eligible for further evaluation
March 6, 2014 – Promotion of global activity EARTH HOUR (Marh 29, 20:30-21:30) and call for participation
March 4-6, 2014 – We participate in Zagreb on Workshop on Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems Nexus Assessment in the Sava River Basin
From February 2014 – EU negotiation process: we are following explanatory screenings
February 26, 2014 – In accordance with procedure, QUESTIONS by potential applicants with our ANSWERS are posted on web site on February 26, at 07:00 , taking in account questions received by February 25 at 23:59
February 20-21, 2014 – EASD-ENV.net Serbia participated in defining the first strategic framework for CSOs development
February 18,2014- Knowledge based advocacy: Environment should be within priorities in the negotiations with EU
February 13, 2014 – Environment in youth policy in Serbia
February 12, 2014 – Meeting with ENVAP2 Project representatives
February 7, 2014 – Participation on Training related the Sector Planning Documents – SPDs
February 1, 2014 – Call of proposals for ENV.net sub-granting in Serbia “EU: we watch and learn to be ready!”
January 30, 2014 – Participation on public hearing by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Study Group
January 30,2014 – Thematic meeting of the SECO mechanism on IPA II programming
January 30, 2014 – Participate in the Mapping of CSOs and other stakeholders in in the process of EU accession negotiations
January 19, 2014 – EASD / ENV.net Team reading of European Parliament Resolution, January 2014
January 07, 2014 – Starting preparation for ENV.net 2014 Round-table / Conference
January 2, 2014 – Attention to ENVIRONMENT in EUROPA DAIRY
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December 23, 2013 – Workshop on environmental values for kindergarten children from Sombor (Minutes) , Participation on meetings in Nature Protection Institute and Agency for Environmental Protection
Decembar 20, 2013 – In media : Promotion of knowledge based information
December 20, 2013 – Environmental Education for future EU citizens , Minutes
December 17, 2013 – ENV.net region news: European Affairs ministers give green light to Serbia’s EU negotiations
December 16, 2013: Workshop for strategic planning of further work SECO mechanism
December 3, 2013 – ENV.net presented to the master students of Faculty of Security Studies
December 2, 2013 – Eye on EU integration process: Parliament of Serbia , Eye on SEE regional cooperation
November 28, 2013 – Meeting FPA project grantees with DG Enlargement representative
November 25, 2013 – Partnership with Media : Partnership agreement with Journalist’ Association of Serbia
Environmental Education of future EU citizens: Activity on November 19,2013
Acknowledging the outreach of ENV.net Survey and ENV.net 2013 Roudtable recomendations, EASD – ENV.net Serbia recognized importance of children/youth education for active EU citizenship , through promotion of EU environmental values. We would like to share moments from kindergarten “Pčelice”, from village Šetonje, as promotion event for environmental values in education. With children and teachers, as well as EASD Team, there were Prof dr Ivica Radovic and mr Ljubiša Antonijević, assistant ministers for education and science. |
Partnership with municipality – On November 18., 2013, ENV.net project presented on the Round table in Municipality Vračar (within City of Belgrade).
Cooperation with TACSO Serbia – On November 15. 2013, in Belgrade, TACSO Advisory Committee (LAG) organized a consultative meeting with representatives of civil society organizations and networks and Serbian civil society expert community. At the meeting a draft of a document on the assessment needs of civil society in Serbia was discussed.
EASD prepared Opinion and contribution to the Draft Strategy Paper for the Republic of Serbia 2014-2020. Through SECO mechanism opinion is sent to Governmental Office for European Integration. Opinion is based on Serbia 2013 Progress Report and Strategy – Reading by ENV.net Serbia Team .
Organisation capacity building process: EASD acknowledged becoming IPEN network Participating Organization
Eye on environmental laws changes: monitoring compliance with EU directives
November 2013. – The third ENV.net partnership meeting in Milan
28. October – Meeting with European Parliamentarians
ENV.net Serbia Team prepared document: Reading of 2013 Progress Report for Serbia and Strategy by ENV.net Serbia Team ( Serbia 2013 Progress Report and Strategy – Reading by ENV.net Serbia Team ).
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22. and 23 October – Education on sustainable management of lead/chemicals
October 18 – EC Delegation in Serbia, present to relevant CSOs, on October 18, 2013 , Serbia Progress Report 2013, in which the Commission services present their assessment of what Serbia as the candidate country has achieved over the last year.
October 2013 : Participated on different events organized to raise awareness to EU approximation environmental challenges.
Promotion of ENV.net facebook page!
October 2, 2013 – ENV.net team participated at the First SEE Regional Science Promotion Conference (SCIPROM), opened in Belgrade, with the aim to bring together science promotion professionals, practitioners and enthusiasts to share experience and network in order to strengthen the link between science and society in our Region. In the current competitive global environment it is an imperative to enhance economic and social capacities by improving the educational structure of society, inspiring innovation and technological advancement and creating a milieu for appreciation of the value and benefits of knowledge. In the opening address, Minister for Education, Science and Technology development of Serbia underlined, among others the importance of knowledge based actions, as well as the importance of drinking water for development. Conference bring international experts and representatives of international organizations, research and educational institutions, science camps, science communicators, NGOs, private sector and media on board.
This conference justify the path of ENV.net Serbia implementation and development, linking European Integration, Knowledge based activities and sectors : Education, Science and Environment/Natural Resources.
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Waste management and water management are considered as two important segments of environmental acquis and studies in this area represent an important aspect of ENV.net project. Environmental accession status of Serbia ( waste , water and EIA thematic issues) was presented by EASD team at International Conferences in Vienna (Austria) and Zadar (Croatia), as well as on chemicals at SAICM Regional Meeting (Skopje, Macedonia FYR).
In addition, possible ENV.net partnerships are discussed with other participants and interested CSOs.
In Skopje, EASD representative met Macedonian 4x4x4 BB representative on September 26, 2013, to discuss possible enlargement of ENV.net project to Macedonia.
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Promotion of ENV.net site in place Join us!
Added value for ENV.net Serbia is EASD activities within the development of Post-Rio+20 Agenda.
Office for Cooperation with Civil Society organized on September 6, 2013 Conference devoted to negotiating Chapter 27 (Environment). Presentation (in Serbian) from the Conference includes: Poglavlje 27 pregovori, Iskustvo R Slovenije, Natura 2000 Ministarstvo, Uloga civilnog drustva u monitoringu, Natura 2000 NGO )
September 2013: ENV.net project presented in the Ministry of Education, Science and Development of Serbia (Meeting of the National Committee for Environmental Education Programs)
August 2013. – Snapshot analysis : While waiting for EC 2013 Progress Report
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Women2030 (preparation of Shadow report to the National Voluntary Review 2019)
The Women 2030 Programme is being implemented in 50 countries across different regions of the world. It is constituted by a coalition of four women and gender network organisations cooperating to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a gender-equitable and climate-just manner. The coalition has a 5-year framework partnership agreement with the European Commission (contract CSO-LA/2016/374-340).
On March 18, 2016, a coalition of four global and regional women and gender networks signed a 5-year partnership agreement with the European Commission to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the global Agenda-2030. This coalition, known as #Women2030, supports the implementation of the Agenda 2030.
IN SERBIA, Women 2030 partner is EASD, since 2018. Under this project, EASD prepared “shadow report” to the Voluntary National Review that Serbia reported in 2019. The “shadow report” was presented during the HLPF held in New York on July, 2019.
Overview of the community-based data collected within the Women2030 Gender Assessment in Serbia
ENVIRONMENT TO EUROPE – EnE
This project/process present different phases towards European values, as well as globally values promoted through Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Started to raise awareness of the importance of the UNECE Ministerial “Environment for Europe” Belgrade 2007 Conference, and further continuously is mobilizing interesting parties in Serbia and Region to catalyze environmental and sustainable development.
Within “Environment to Europe” Process, EASD actively participate and organize different supporting activities in different related thematic areas, like sustainable consumption and production, efficient resource use, chemicals, eco-consumers protection, participation at global, EC, regional and with papers at different conferences, etc. Regional cohesion projects supported Environment to Europe process.
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EEB 2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE – “Boosting the Deal for a Greener Europe in Turbulent Times”
Study visit to Grenoble – the Green Capital of Europe
EnE22, June 2022 – UNEP@50 and World Environment Day
December 2021 – Climate Pact for Serbia: Snapshot targeted rehearsal of country’s obligations in climate action….
Virtual tour on the experience from Italian practices in circular economy
Recap the moments from EnE19/ENV.net Conference
WEBINAR – Regional Forum of Sustainable Development (RFSD) for the UNECE Region : we participate
EASD full member in European Environmental Bureau – honor and challenge
The ESDN Conference 2018 – we participate ; We participate – ESDN Conference 2018, “Stakeholder-Policy Cooperation in the Age of the SDGs: What new approaches are required to be successful?”, Vienna (Austria), 1-2 October, 2018
Join us for June 5th: Conference Agenda is available
6th UN regional meeting on SAICM, Poland, February 2018: we participate
February 2018: Call for participation for EnE18: Nature protection – Nature-Responsive Development
February 2018: ENV.net 3 Kick-off Meeting in Tirana
November 2017: EASD participate: Summit to Plan the End of Amalgam in Europe 2017– November 20-21, Berlin
September 2017: “Make Mercury History” – EASD participated at Minamata COP1 in Geneva
July 2017: Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate ; Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
June 2017: Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
April 2017: Call: The Thirteenth Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe – EnE17″, June 5th 2017, Belgrade
February 2017: “EnE17 – The 13th Regional Conference Environment to Europe” announcement: Climate Change Education
June 2016: Agenda , EnE16-ENV.net Zbornik radova/Proceedings of papers ; WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe” , REPORT FROM EnE16-ENV.net, BELGRADE, SERBIA
January 2016 – Save the date and participate: June 6, 2016 – Environment to Europe Conference
June 5, 2015 – 2015 Conference, Information, Proc. of papers
We participate at European Green Week
December 2014 – Thematic Publication “Environment to Europe” ( Tematski zbornik radova “Životna sredina ka Evropi”)
June 5, 2014 – ENV.net multi-stakeholder Conference on Chapter 27: about 200 participants , 2014 Conference
Agenda for EnE14/ENV.net Conference “Environment to Europe”, June 5, 2014 in SCC – opening at 10:00
Invitation for EnE14-ENV.net Conference, June 5 – 2014 in Belgrade
EnE14 / ENV.net Conference will be held on June 5, 2014 in Belgrade (it will 10th regional conference!). Thematic focus: Chapter 27. Reserve the date! More information soon. Follow the updated information related to event.
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EnE13 – Environment to Europe Conference on June 10, 2013 is focused on local environment. The main messages from this participatory ENV.net event are: environmental sector activities should be knowledge based, and education for environment and sustainable development should be priority. Capacities and continuity is very important for inclusion environment in other sectoral policies. Conference is institutionally supported by Ministry of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection and Ministry of Natural Resources, Mining and Spatial Planning, as well as National Commission for UNESCO. This Conference is UNEP WED event.
2013 | EnE13 | ENV.net Roundtable Focus: Local Environment | Agenda, Zbornik radova EnE13 – Zivotna sredina ka Evropi – Papers Proceedings; Minutes; More than 120 participants at EnE13 conference/ENV.net Roundtable: 10 June, 2013 in Belgrade |
Snapshots from the previous EnE “Environment to Europe” Conferences:
Thematic focus | Published materials | ||
2005 | EnE05 | Thematic focus : The importance of Environmental Sector in EU Integration process | Detailed Agenda published.CD Proceedings of Papers published. Book “Sustainable Development and Environment towards Europe in 95+ steps”, by A.Mihajlov, published in Serbian |
2006 | EnE06 | European/developed countries values in environmental and related issues; lessons learned. At the same time, the Civil Society Forum EfE07 Meeting towards UN Pan-European Ministerial Conference Belgrade 2007 “Environment for Europe” held. | Detailed Agenda published.CD Proceedings of Papers published. Book “Sustainable Sustainable Development and Environment Towards Europe in 95+ Steps”, by A.Mihajlov, published in English |
2007 | EnE07 | Dedicated to contribute to upcoming UNECE “Environment for Europe” (2007, Belgrade) Pan-European Ministerial Conference ; NGO Declaration on Environmental Cohesion of Western Balkan agreed | Detailed Agenda published.CD Proceedings of Papers published. |
2008 | EnE08 | Youth and Vulnerable Groups in Environmental EU Accession | Detailed Agenda published. EnE08 Zbornik radova 4. regionalne Konferencije „Zivotna sredina ka Evropi“-sadrzaj published. |
2009 | EnE09 | Climate Change and Sustainable Tourism Conference | Detailed Agenda published (agenda EnE09) ; CD Proceedings of Papers published. |
2010 | EnE10 | Green Education and Green Economy | Detailed Agenda published ( Agenda EnE10 Konferencije ); CD Proceedings of Papers published. |
2011 | EnE11 | Rural and Mountain Sustainable Development | Detailed Agenda published (agenda_ene11) CD Proceedings of Papers published. Publication with selected paper published. |
2012 | EnE12 | Learning event for Rio=20 preparation – Green Economy and Governance for Sustainable Development | Detailed Agenda published ( Agenda EnE12 )
CD Proceedings of Papers published. UNDP/UNEP Green Economy Study published http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/984serbia.pdf |
EU Environment Partnership Programme for Accession
EASD is a member, participating organization in the project EU Environment Partnership Programme for Accession (EPPA) in the Western Balkans and Turkey seeks to be a major driver of reform and development in environmental governance through compliance with the EU environmental acquis (WG7). The programme builds on the results of the RENA and ECRAN programmes by furthering the regional cooperation and strengthening the administrative capacities of the beneficiaries. Regional cooperation provides the framework for sharing knowledge, expertise and good practices, and for addressing common environmental problems in a more sustainable and efficient way. The overall objective of the programme is to strengthen the implementation of the EU environmental acquis in the Western Balkans and Turkey in areas relevant for addressing trans-boundary environmental issues. EPPA concerns the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans as an instrument that will bring the European Green Deal closer to the Western Balkan countries by proposing a new economic development model, one based on the circularity of the economy, where the pressures on the use of natural resources are significantly reduced, while recycling and reuse are the order of the day.
Preparation of publication: “Kopaonik, Serbian mountain”
Supported by Serbian Environmental Protection Agency, EASD experts’ team prepared publication, in Serbian language, consisted of Introductory part, Demography data, Geology and Geomorphology, Hydrology, Pedology, Land use change, Climate, Natural values, Cultural heritage, Anthropo-pressures. ISBN-978-86-89961-08-9
See Publications
June 5,2020 – EnE20 Conference “Citizen science: Focus on Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals”
Professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development ” and Serbian Chamber of Commerce , on June 5th 2020, organize the 16th Environment to Europe – EnE20 Conference. Traditionally, it is an official event that marks the UN World Environment Day (WED) in the Republic of Serbia and region.
In accordance with the current circumstances around Covid19, the EnE20 conference “Citizen Science: focus on Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals” is realized online, presenting the results so far achieved in the development of citizen science concept in Serbia. Bearing in mind that the concept of “citizen science” in Serbia is still developing, but supported through various joint actions and initiatives of scientists and formal / informal civic activists and organizations, the focus is to youth participation, especially through educational institutions involved in international Eco-schools program in Serbia.
This year, the co-organizers of EnE20 are the UN in Serbia , the Global Listening Center , the Center for the Promotion of Science , NALED , the French Institute in Serbia and PE Ada Ciganlija .
Plenary lectures of experts from the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Global Listening Center, the Center for the Promotion of Science, NALED and the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, can be found at the link HERE. Invited speakers include dr Tanja Adnadjević, dr Marjana Brkić, mr Dušan Stokić, Slobodan Krstović, Sanja Knežević Mitrović, Đurdjija Petrović, and Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov.
As part of the celebration of World Environment Day and as a special part of the EnE20 conference, a national debate is held for 20 students aged 11 to 18, who were nominated in the essay part of the competition organized by the international organization The Trust for Sustainable Living . The aim of the debate is to find solutions for a sustainable future by referring to SDG 17, My vision: Partnerships for a sustainable future. The emphasis of the speakers will be on the issues related to the environment, climate change and sustainable use of resources. By listening the young people and their visions, we can harmonize further economic and social development with the possibilities and potentials of the environment and nature.
The debate is taking place on Ada Ciganlija, a beach that has been awarded for 9 years by Blue Flag certificate, including the 2020 season, as a symbol of commitment to environmental protection and care for the health and safety of visitors during the summer bathing season. By meeting the criteria for obtaining the Blue Flag for Ada Ciganlija beach, the local community and the managers of the beach contribute to efforts to combat against climate change and raise citizen awareness on sustainable use of resources and the need to protect the environment.
Agenda and presentations, as well as detailed agenda of National Youth Debate
Minutes from Debate:
EU info center on debate and conference
Radio Television Serbia Portal about the Conference
The EnE20 conference is part of a campaign related to climate change, within the project: “ENV.net factoring the environmental portfolio for WB and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda” (reference number 2017/394-372)
All information regarding the EnE20 conference can be obtained via Email: eneconference@feeserbia.com.
Citizen science concept in terms of adaptation and mitigation to the climate change
“Citizen Science refers to the general public engagement in scientific research activities when citizens actively contribute to science either with their intellectual effort or surrounding knowledge or with their tools and resources” .
In last decade, direction in science development moved from traditional circle of research to the new ways, by involving the public and becoming more and more inclusive in a growing range of disciplines. Historically this is not new that universities/academic researchers need to start involving public, citizens, civil society organizations… in their own activities (like Benjamin Franklin or Charles Darwin in the topics of topics that include applied life sciences and health research. It is evident that Citizen Science grows, reflecting in creation of large data sets (especially in monitoring and observing. The main challenge and very applicative approach is to involve citizen scientist in research of the topic that is very important for every unique life and that tackle every single citizen – CLIMATE CHANGE.
It is a question how citizens can be involved. Let we see some facts regarding ongoing climate change issue globally and in Serbia. The fact known wider is that from 1850 until know, temperature raised for 1 degree. The problem is that in relatively short period of time, temperature rises continually. Regarding Serbia, developing country, some of the consequences are following:
At the yearly level, every citizen from Serbia emits 4-5 t of carbon dioxide, what is a quantity at least 10 times bigger than quantity of communal waste per citizen per year. Precipitation is at the same level, more or less, but the problem that we are faced on is that redistribution is uneven. Dried periods are increased, for the period of 83 years, there were 13 dried periods, while in last 47 years, and same number of dried periods are evidenced. Furthermore, number of precipitation days of 20, 30 i 40 mm/per day also increase, especially important is that almost 5 times increased precipitation values of 40 mm/per day, for the period 2001-2017 compared to the period 1951-1980. The problem that urban places faced with relates to the sewage system, it is not constructed to accept raised amounts of atmospheric waters. Climate change goes beyond, without comeback to the previous, „climatelly“ better time!
Globally, to combat climate change, it is very important to follow Paris agreement conclusions and obligations. It should be taken into account that damages caused climate changes costs: at the EU level, from the period 2010-2016, 12,6 billions of eur (or from the period 1980-2016, costs are 436 billions of eur)
Possible practical solution is to include adaptation into future plans, construction, and agriculture through calculation of climate change parameters in order to avoid consequences of extreme climate events. That means to construct savage system to be able to accept extreme amounts of different precipitations, even it is not necessary in this moment.
What is solution and form of citizens’ engagement?
There is a recent project “Territorial RRI Fostering Innovative Climate Action (Responsible Research and Innovation)” with eight partners from Europe, among them Serbia and Center for the promotion of science, under Horizon 2020. One of the pilot region will be Belgrade. This project envisages active participation of citizen, civil society organizations, scientific and research institutions in applying adaptation measures at basic level of the society. The interactive map will be produced, where citizens will be able to mark places and points in the City of Belgrade, where they are fill uncomfortable during the year, in terms of climate parameters. This will help in future planning to pay more attention of local community what adaptation and mitigation measures to apply to these areas.
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, as member of ECSA network, will use citizen science approach to contribute to better understanding what are possibilities of citizen engagement exist through Eco-school network in different parts of Serbia.
Environment first for EU
Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, puts environment first for EU.
Von der Leyen’s political guidelines document, titled ‘A Union that strives for more: My agenda for Europe’ includes various commitments on climate action including:
- A climate neutral EU by 2050
- An improved ETS
- A carbon border tax
- A move away from unanimous decision-making on climate and energy
- 2030 emission reduction targets of at least 50% and moving ‘towards’ 55%
Other notable environmental priorities include:
- €1trn of sustainable finance investment and turning part of the European Investment Bank into Europe’s climate bank
- A 2030 biodiversity strategy to stop biodiversity loss within five years
- A new circular economy action plan that addresses textiles and construction sectors
- A ‘zero-pollution’ target delivered through a cross-cutting strategy to protect citizens’ health from environmental degradation and pollution
- A “farm to fork” strategy on sustainable food
Von der Leyen’s guidelines also include a promise to use the EU’s budget to support the rule of law, which could provide a key tool to ensure the proper implementation and enforcement of EU environmental laws.
Establishment of the South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP
Sub-Regional Consultation Meeting on the Establishment of the South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP was held on June 24-25, 2019, at the premises of Vienna International Center. The meeting was organised by UN Environment – Vienna Programme Office in the framework of the project “Regional Cooperation in South Eastern Europe to Beat Pollution”, funded by the Directorate for Sustainable Development, Environmental Damage, European Union and International Affairs of the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea. This meeting is continuation of the process started in December 2019, during the Ministerial conference held in Belgrade, and side event, organized in margins of UNEA4, in March 2019, at the premises of UN Headquarter in Nairobi.
The countries of South East Europe and specifically countries from the Western Balkans, should stronger address crucial reforms and complete political, economic and social transformation, in order to fulfill requirements on their respective European paths. This is strong connected with complying with the EU Environmental acquis, what means opening of negotiations on Chapter 27 on Environment and Climate Change, which has not realized yet for some countries. At the global level, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is going to shape national development plans over the next more than 10 years. Progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals targets can be obtained by tackling pollution through existing agreements and synergies with different international initiatives.
Taking into account need for urgent action to beat pollution at all levels, supported by all sectors and involving all relevant stakeholders, South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP should be established, with participation not only respective SEE countries, but also with all other actors having interest in this region.
During the Sub-Regional Consultation Meeting, civil society role in the future Platform was discussed among representatives of governments, CSOs and UN bodies. Possible roles of CSOs might be following:
Civil society contribution to the thematic clusters
Preparation of an assessment of possible civil society partners
Platform membership (including Taskforces when relevant)
Using CSOs Networks to communicate the work of the platform and to reach out to citizens
Regarding the last mentioned, Env.net network was presented as good and stable regional network, that can have high impact in future Platform. Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, together with Env.net partners from EEB and Co-plan, presented current state of the progress during seven years of existing of the Env.net. The main discussion, which is still opened, is regarding the self-designation of civil society organisations and a role within the Taskforce of the Platform. In the next period, it is expected that this and other crucial issues will be clarified, with active participation and contribution of CSOs representatives from the SEE region.
To report: The first Regional Conference on Circular Economy was success
The first regional conference on circular economy, was held on November 2018 in Belgrade. See Agenda
At the beginning, as the host, EASD President Aleksandra Mladenovic, welcome participants to Belgrade. She also thanks to the Eco-Schools (for nice bags for participants) and to Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
Representative of EU Delegation in Serbia Antoine Avignon address the Conference .
In introductory address, Lead Partner Co-PLAN, Albania, representative Rodion Gjoka, thanks to Serbian Chamber of Commerce and EASD, for hosting and organizing Conference. He underlined that ENV.net is introducing circular economy concept in region.
On behalf of Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SCC) Isabel Airas informed on existence of Unit for Circular Economy in SCC , and noted positive and possible positive future cooperation with EASD.
Miroslav Tadic, from UNDP Serbia presented circular communities and circular economy relation with climate smart development. Special attention in presentation is dedicated to circular economy from climate change mitigation perspective in Serbia and links with Paris Agreement, highlighting UNDP Serbia ongoing project
Natasa Djereg, from NGO CEKOR from Subotica, Serbia, talk about climate action as incentive of circular economy, pointing out needs of decarburization of energy sector , Regional Energy Community Treaty and external costs for energy production, as well as moral/ethics when revise National Spatial Plan.
Conference continued with ENV.net Partners presentations.
On behalf of Punto.sud – Italy, Eleonora Puddu, express proudness of Punto.sud on ENV.net network, now and in the future (to note that Punto.sud was Lead Partner for 6 years in ENV,net 1 and ENV.net2 projects). She presents assessment methodology and ENV.net challenges.
Conference is followed by presentations by ENV.net Partners from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey and Serbia.
Conference is followed by the Panel on Circular Economy , chaired by respective journalist Milica Momcilovic. Panelist are: Maja Krunic (Serbian Environmental Protection Agency/Ministry of Environmental Protection ), Richard Filcak (EEB, Brussels – ENV.net Partner organization), Jelena Kiš ( Ball Packaging Europe), Isabel Airas (Serbian Chamber of Commerce), Radmila Jokić (teacher from Sombor) and Zoran Jakovljevic ( GIZ Serbia).
Questions to Panelists are:
1. In your opinion, what are the main challenges/obstacles to introduce circular economy concept into national economy?
2. What is your experience regarding circular economy topic?
3. Is there any doubt regarding sustainability of this concept?
4. Is there any differences regarding implementation of this concept in developed and developing countries/countries in transition?
5. How to engage community and citizens to follow circular economy concept and implement it in everyday life?
6. if any other question?
Panelist main messages are: -importance of: knowledge and education, financial sources, consumption patterns, and coordination of all activities and sectors; -circular economy concept is complex, but present clear signal for future businesses; – corporate sustainability is important; it is important that region is connected; – the importance of sustainable production and cooperation on different levels; – “responsible entrepreneurship” are the key words for circular economy concept in practice; -difficulties in waste management practice influence possible achievements in circular economy.
The first regional conference on circular economy, Belgrade, November 2018: Agenda
1st regional conference on circular economy
Belgrade, 25-27 November, 2018
Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Terazije 23, II floor
Agenda
November 25, 2018
Participants and guests arrival to Belgrade, Env.net project Steering Committee meeting
November 26, 2018, Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Terazije 23/II
9.00-9.30 Registration
9.30-10.00 Introductory words: ENV.net representatives/partners (EASD, Co-Plan); Serbian Chamber of Commerce; EU Delegation (tbc)
10.00-10.20 The toolkit for the preparation of a general assessment regarding the state of the art of the circular economy, Ms. Eleonora Puddu, Punto.sud, Italy
10.20-10.45 Circular Economy and Climate Smart Development (Circular Communities), Mr. Miroslav Tadic, UNDP Portfolio Manager
10.45-11.00 Climate action as an incentive to transition to a circular economy, Mrs. Natasa Djereg, CEKOR
11.00-13.15 Circular economy in Western Balkan and Turkey, step forward (Albania, BiH, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo*, Turkey, Serbia – 15 minutes per Partner)
13.15-14.00 Lunch break
14.00-15.30 Panel discussions: “Circular economy in theory and practice”.
Participants: Mr. Richard Filcak, EEB, Mrs. Jelena Kis (Ball Packaging Europe), Mr. Sinisa Mitrovic (Serbian Chamber of Commerce), Mrs. Maja Krunic (Serbian Environmental Protection Agency), Mrs. Radmila Jokic, Eco-school teacher (Sombor), Zoran Jakovljev (GIZ RS)
Moderator: Ms. Milica Momcilovic, journalist
Questions to Panelists:
- In your opinion, what are the main challenges/obstacles to introduce circular economy concept into national economy?
- What is your experience regarding circular economy topic?
- Is there any doubt regarding sustainability of this concept?
- Is there any differences regarding implementation of this concept in developed and developing countries/countries in transition?
- How to engage community and citizens to follow circular economy concept and implement it in everyday life?
- if any other question?
15.30-16.30 Discussion and conclusion
16.30 Closing of Conference
November 27, 2018
9.00 – 11.00 Field trip to Feplo, Cacak
11.00 – 13.00 Visiting of the factory
Call for participation for EnE18: Nature protection – Nature-Responsive Development
We are pleased to invite you to The Fourteenth Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe – EnE18‘‘, which will be held on June 5th 2018 in Belgrade (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia). Conference is UN WED (World Environmental Day) and ESDW (European Sustainable Development Week) event. On the World Environment Day 2018 , the UN is expected to give emphasis on the fact that individual actions to preserve the nature can actually help in sustaining a green environment and to understand why forests are important.
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development in partnership with Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia organize The Fourteenth Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe – EnE18”. Thematic area this year is Nature protection – Nature-Responsive Development
Nature protection is highly ranked on the list of priorities of the United Nations (Sustainable Development Goal 15 and UN Decade on Biodiversity by 2020), the European Union (NATURA 2000) and all countries that strive to preserve natural values, biodiversity, geodiversity have to develop with responsibility to nature. The goal of the UN Decade on Biodiversity is to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and to promote its overall vision of living in harmony with nature. UN SDG 15 refers to the protection, restoration and promotion of sustainable ecosystems use, sustainable forests management, combating desertification and preventing land degradation and biodiversity loss. In response to the threat to nature and biodiversity, the EU has formed a wide European network of protected natural areas, known as NATURA 2000. It covers over 18% of the EU territory, ensuring long-term survival of the most valuable and threatened species and habitats in Europe. Candidate countries and potential candidates for membership in the European Union are facing a great challenge to protect nature and implement a development responsive to nature.
The aim of the EnE18 Conference is to highlight the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development in the context of the protection of nature. The Conference is an opportunity for representatives of state institutions, professional, consultative, educational and scientific institutions, managers of protected areas, civil sector, to present current topics in the field of nature protection.
Traditionally, within the Conference every year we have a significant number of participants from Serbia and abroad, the participation of over 150 authors and co-authors of papers who published in the CD Proceedings of the Conference, as well as participants without paper.
We firmly believe that your scientific/research results/consultancy/views and experience will substantially help a better understanding of these fields. Being aware of the necessity of a close cooperation between science and practice, we invite you to take active participation in the Conference Environment to Europe – EnE18, either by preparing and presenting your paper or by contributing as an auditor and participant.
Application forms (with or without paper) should be sent by email: eneconference@feeserbia.com
Focus themes on WED through years:
- Theme of the year 2017 – “Join the race to make the world a better place”.
- Theme of the year 2015 – “One World, One Environment”.
- Theme of the year 2014 – “small island developing states” or “SIDS” and “Raise your voice, not the sea level”.
- Theme of the year 2013 – “Think. Eat. Save.” And slogan – “Reduce Your Foodprint”.
- Theme of the year 2012 – “Green Economy: Does it include you?”.
- Theme of the year 2011 – “Forests: Nature at your Service”.
- Theme of the year 2010 – “Many Species. One Planet. One Future”.
- Theme of the year 2009 – “Your Planet Needs You – Unite to Combat Climate Change”.
- Theme and slogan of the year 2008 – “CO2, Kick the Habit – Towards a Low Carbon Economy”.
- Theme of the year 2007 – “Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?”.
- Theme of the year 2006 – “Deserts and Desertification” and slogan – “Don’t Desert Drylands!.”
- Theme of the year 2005 – “Green Cities” and slogan – “Plan for the Planet!”.
- Theme of the year 2004 – “Wanted! Seas and Oceans” and slogan – “Dead or Alive?”.
- Theme of the year 2003 – “Water” and slogan – “Two Billion People are Dying for It!”.
- Theme of the year 2002 – “Give Earth a Chance”.
- Theme of the year 2001 – “Connect with the World Wide Web of Life”.
- Theme of the year 2000 – “The Environment Millennium” and slogan – “Time to Act”.
- Theme of the year 1999 – “Our Earth – Our Future” and slogan – “Just Save It!”.
- Theme of the year 1998 – “For Life on Earth and slogan – “Save Our Seas”.
- Theme of the year 1997 – “For Life on Earth”.
- Theme of the year 1996 – “Our Earth, Our Habitat, Our Home”.
- Theme of the year 1995 – “We the Peoples: United for the Global Environment”.
- Theme of the year 1994 – “One Earth One Family”.
- Theme of the year 1993 – “Poverty and the Environment and slogan – “Breaking the Vicious Circle”.
- Theme of the year 1992 – “Only One Earth, Care and Share”.
- Theme of the year 1991 – “Climate Change. Need for Global Partnership”.
- Theme of the year 1990 – “Children and the Environment”.
- Theme of the year 1989 – “Global Warming; Global Warning”.
- Theme of the year 1988 – “When People Put the Environment First, Development Will Last”.
- Theme of the year 1987 – “Environment and Shelter: More Than A Roof”.
- Theme of the year 1986 – “A Tree for Peace”.
- Theme of the year 1985 – “Youth: Population and the Environment”.
ENV.net 3 : ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda
We are happy to announce the beginning of the third phase of ENV-net.
After 5 years of activity, the ENV-net today, counts for a member in each Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance country, this includes two newly joined organisations from Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina which co-operate with the network since 2016. The network is supported by partners in Italy – punto.sud and Belgium – European Environmental Bureau – EEB, both bringing to the network experience and best practices from two EU member states, as well as the possibility to align with similar ongoing initiatives within the EU.
Why ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda?
Recent natural occurrences such as repeated massive floods, and the EU accession obligations the Western Balkans and Turkey region must fulfil, highlight the immediacy of action required in the field of climate change and environmental protection.
For it to be effective, such action requires a solid pan-regional commitment in monitoring, advocating and awareness raising in home countries and engagement in policy- discussions at EU level. It also requires well-established and qualified civil society and media actors to generate positive pressure on the relevant institutions, and keep the citizens informed in a way that is accessible and actionable.
Studies show that, despite efforts made in this regard, the Western Balkan and Turkey region faces a number of challenges impeding progress, such as: limited local buy-in of the reforms, conflicting legislation, lack of a critical mass that can monitor developments and exert pressure on policy-makers, weak dialogue with institutions, poor understanding and coverage of climate change and environmental news, and very sparse resonance with current EU environment-related discussions such as circular economy aspects.
In response to these needs, ENV-net, as a proven regional network and advocacy actor, in the forthcoming three years will work on improving evidence-based policy-making and policy-influencing on climate change and environmental legislation in each of the ENV.net partner countries.
The network focus will be to generate region-representative evidence-supported input to contribute to EU discussions on matters of climate change and environment, and to explore and introduce to the region new inter-related aspects such as circular economy.
In the process, the network foresees to also technically and financially support civil society organisations and media in each of the network partner countries, to better understand and work on these issues.
The action is supported by the European Commission through the programme for Consolidating Regional Thematic Networks of Civil Society Organisations
ENV.net team is inviting you to follow and join efforts. Stay tuned!
EASD activities related SDGs
EASD team , from January 1,2018 will follow activities through SDGs lenses:
SD GOAL 1 – No Poverty SD GOAL 2 – Zero Hunger SD GOAL 3 – Good Health and Well-Being SD GOAL 4- Quality Education SD GOAL 5 – Gender Equality SD GOAL 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation SD GOAL 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy SD GOAL 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth SD GOAL 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SD GOAL 10 – Reduced Inequalities SD GOAL 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities SD GOAL 12 – Sustainable Consumption and Production SD GOAL 13 – Climate Action SD GOAL 14 – Life below Water SD GOAL 15 – Life on Land SD GOAL 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions SD GOAL 17 – Partnerships for the GoalsIn addition, we are following our activities as UN Environment TOPICS:
AIR CHEMICALS AND WASTE CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION AND TRAINING ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE FORESTS GREEN ECONOMY RESOURSE EFFICIENCY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS WATER SCIENCE, INNOVATION ENVIRONMENT UNDER REVIEW ( ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, INFORMATION MANAGEMENT).The goal of this activities categorisation is EASD strategic planning of activities in future. It is also lesson learned after EASD representative participation at UNEA3 in Nairobi.
2018!…..With activity highlights from 2017!
Activity important milestones in 2017
EASD activities are focused to 3 thematic groups:
- Promoting sustainable development; Agenda 2030 and SDGs;
- Environment and Natural Resources; Climate action; Advancing policy integration ; Advancing science/technology/innovation integration; Environmental Security and Justice;
- Building partnerships; Raising awareness on emerging issues; Working with civil society and non-state actors
Promoting sustainable development; Agenda 2030 and SDGs:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
EASD participate at UNEA3, Nairobi, Nov-Dec 2017
EASD participate: Summit to Plan the End of Amalgam in Europe 2017– November 20-21, Berlin
EASD participate: IPEN Regional meeting, Prague 16-20 October 2014
“Make Mercury History” – EASD participated at Minamata COP1 in Geneva
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
EASD participate at 2017 Vienna UN Conference – Implementing the 2030 Agenda
Environment and Natural Resources; Climate action; Advancing policy integration ; Advancing science/technology/innovation integration; Environmental Security and Justice:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
“EnE17 – The 13th Regional Conference Environment to Europe” announcement: Climate Change Education
Building partnerships; Raising awareness on emerging issues; Working with civil society and non-state actors:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
EASD participate at UNEA3, Nairobi, Nov-Dec 2017
EASD participate at 2017 Blue Flag National Operator Meeting
Eko-paket – Eco-Schools annual conference for the school year 2017/2018
EASD participate: IPEN Regional meeting, Prague 16-20 October 2014
EASD become the Member of the Western Balkans Youth Cooperation Platform!
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate
Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
Serbia: Blue Flag 2017 Ceremony at beach on “Belgrade Sea”
EnE17 Conference and Panel in Media
Mercury Initial Assessment in the Republic of Serbia Workshop – we participate
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 is organised linked to the 4th intergovernmental Summit of Western Balkans and EU countries and it bring together representatives of civil society organisations with the objective of providing a platform for their impact on the so-called Berlin Process.
The Forum consider the topics high on the agenda of the political Summit: youth cooperation, rule of law and anti-corruption, enterprise development and innovation potentials, regional cooperation and bilateral issues; also, it will initiate debates on questions as environment, energy and climate change (EASD participation is focused to environment and climate change issues, as well as innovation, youth and regional cooperation), migrations, media freedoms, the issue of Brexit in relevance to the Western Balkans and the possible role of civil society in increasing the efficiency of the Berlin Process through communications.
The outcomes of the Civil Society Forum meeting (EnvEnCC MESSAGES) in Trieste will be communicated to the intergovernmental Summit in several ways: at a policy event attended by a number of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and a number of representatives of civil society of the Western Balkans, on July 12; at a press conference organised by the Civil Society Forum; in form of recommendations which will be presented to the Summit organisers and through the follow-up advocacy process. The goal of the Civil Society Forum meeting in Trieste is to support regional cooperation and “Europeanisation” of the Balkans through more active civil society participation in the decision-making process.
The Civil Society Forum Trieste is organised under the umbrella of the Civil Society Forum of the Western Balkans Summit Series, as a joint initiative of the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), ERSTE Foundation and the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung, in partnership with the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), and in close cooperation with the Central European Initiative (CEI), Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), Centro Studi Politica Internazionale (CESPI) and Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso.
Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
EASD Honorable President noted that separate Ministry for Environment is a good signal …. more at
To recall that Serbian Government established the first Ministry for Environment in 1993. Environment sector in Serbian Government(s):
1.Pavle Todorovic (Minister of Ministry of Environmental Protection, 1993-1994; Note: it was also Federal Republic Yugoslavia Ministry for Environment with Minister Slobodanka Djordan);
2. Jordan Aleksic (Minister of Ministry of Environmental Protection, 1994-1998);
3. Branislav Blazic (Minister of Ministry of Environmental Protection, March 1998 -Oct 2000);
4. Mila Rosic (Minister of Ministry of Environmental Protection, Oct 2000-Jan 2001);
5. Obren Joksimovic (Minister of Ministry of Health and Environment, Jan.2001 – October 2001);
6. Uros Jovanovic (acting Minister of Ministry of Health and Environment, Oct.2001- June 2002);
7. Andjelka Mihajlov (Minister of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, June 2002-March 2004);
8. Aleksandar Popovic (Minister of Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection, March 2004-2007);
9. Sasa Dragin (Minister of Ministry of Environmental Protection, May 2007 – July 2008);
10. Oliver Dulic (Minister of Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning , July 2008-March 2011, and Ministry of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning, March 2011-July 2012);
11. Zorana Mihajlovic (Minister of Ministry of Energy, Development, and Environment, July 2012-April 2014);
12.Snežana Bogosavljević Bošković (Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, April 2014-August 2016);
13. Branislav Nedimovic (Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, August 2016- June 2017);
14. Goran Trivan (Minister of Ministry of Environmental Protection, June 2017- ongoing).
New Minister Goran Trivan opened the 2017 EnE Conference “Environment to Europe”, with strong message where it is and how it should develop the sector of environment and climate change in the Republic of Serbia.
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
The Thirteenth Regional Conference – EnE17 Environment to Europe was successful UN Environment WED and ESDW event. Traditionally, this Conference was organized by professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
Especially interested was Panel on Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development (panelists are: Prof. dr Vladimir Đurđević, Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade ; Prof. dr Aleksandar Jovović, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade; Prim. mr sci. med. Branislava Matić, Head of Unit for Human Ecology and School Hygiene at Institute of Public health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut”; Nataša Đokić, Head of Department for planning projects at City of Belgrade, Secretariat for Environmental Protection; MSc Izabel Airas, Advisor for circular economy, Center for Circular Economy, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia; prof. dr Anđelka Mihajlov (Member of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, responsible for climate changes in Chapter 27); Panel was moderated by Milica Momcilovic.
EnE17 was opened with introductory speeches by Goran Trivan, Secretary for Environmental Protection of the City of Belgrade with strong and clear message where it is and how it should develop the sector of environment and climate change in the Republic of Serbia, Päivi Alatalo, Deputy Head of the Mission, Embassy of Finland, Belgrade, Stanojla Mandic, Deputy Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Serbia, Zoran Vujovic, Vicepresident, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, PhD Mirjana Drenovak Ivanovic, Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade and member of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, responsible for specific sectors of Chapter 27, MSc Dusan Stokic, Co-organizer of the EnE17 Conference, Director of the Centre for Environmental Protection, Standards and Technical Regulation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and PhD Dunja Prokic, the EnE17 Conference Chair person, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development. Conference was attended by representatives from government and non-government sectors, international organizations, scientific and educational institutions.
Conference participants (about 100 registered participants) were united in: education on climate change is very important in order to be able to mitigate the consequences of climate change and to adapt to them. Key role should have educational institutions to prepare and implement multidisciplinary programs tailored to different educational institutions and different age categories. Education on climate change requires professionals who will work with young people, so young people will be prepared to make the right decisions in the future. Participants in the discussion have tried to provide answers to questions on how to be more effective in environmental protection and responsive to nature.
The Conference awarded prizes for the best Young Reporters for the Environmnet (YRE), who took part in the competition, “Saving resources, do not throw, recycle!” The competition is organized in the framework of the FEE International Young Reporters for the Environmnet, implemented in Serbia by a professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” with RECAN Foundation support. Prizes are awarded MSc Aleksandra Mladenovic, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development president, MSc Milena Tabasevic, coordinator of the Young Reporters for the Environment in Serbia and Jelena Kis, manager of the RECAN Foundation for recycling beverage cans.
See pictures from Opening , Green Planet Award to Tetra Pak Company , Panel CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT , YRE awards ceremony , Research papers presentation .
Draft Agenda for Environment to Europe EnE17 Conference (Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development), June 5, 2017, Belgrade
The Thirteenth Regional Conference – EnE17
Environment to Europe
Belgrade, Serbia, June 5, 2017
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
Conference Agenda – Draft as on 24/5 ; Conference Agenda- Draft as on 22/05
UNEP World Environment Day – WED event
European Sustainable Development Week, ESDW event
5. jun June 5th
Velika sala u PKS, II sprat, Terazije 23, Beograd | Main Hall, 2nd floor – Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Terazije 23, Belgrade |
9:00 – 10:00 Registration
10:00 – 10:40 Opening remarks
Confirmed / Potvrdili
- Goran Trivan, Secretary for Environmental Protection of the City of Belgrade / Sekretar za zaštitu životne sredine Grada Beograda
- Päivi Alatalo, Deputy Head of the Mission, Embassy of Finland, Belgrade / Zamenik šefa misije Ambasade Finske u Beogradu
- Rodolјub Šabić,The Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data / Poverenik za informacije od javnog značaja i zaštitu podataka o ličnosti Vlade Srbije
- Representative, Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia / Predstavnik Zavoda za zaštitu prirode Srbije
- Zoran Vujović, Vicepresident, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia / Potpredsednik Privredne komore Srbije
- dr Mirjana Drenovak Ivanović, Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade (and Member of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, responsible for specific sectors of Chapter 27 ) / Pravni fakultet Univerziteta u Beogradu ( i član Pregovaračkog tima za vođenje pregovora o pristupanju Republike Srbije Evropskoj uniji Vlade Republike Srbije zadužena za određene sektore poglavlja 27)
- mr Dusan Stokić, Co-organizer of the EnE17 Conference, Director of the Centre for Environmental Protection, Standards and Technical Regulation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia / suorganizator EnE17 Konferencije, Direktor Centra za zaštitu životne sredine, standarde i tehničke propise, Privredna komora Srbije
- dr Dunja Prokić, the EnE17 Conference Chair person, Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development / predsedavajuća EnE17 Konferencije, Ambasadorka održivog razvoja i životne sredine
Note : The Conference will be opened by Mr. Goran Trivan, Secretary for Environmental Protection of the City of Belgrade.
10:50 -11:00 Technical Break / Tehnička pauza
11:00 -12:30 Panel on Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
Moderator: Milica Momčilović, journalist
Panelists:
Prof. dr Vladimir Đurđević, Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade
Prof. dr Aleksandar Jovović, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade
Prim. mr sci. med. Branislava Matić, Head of Unit for Human Ecology and School Hygiene at Institute of Public health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut”
Nataša Đokić, Head of Department for planning projects at City of Belgrade, Secretariat for Environmental Protection
MSc Izabel Airas, Advisor for circular economy, Center for Circular Economy, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
prof. dr Anđelka Mihajlov (Member of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, responsible for climate changes in Chapter 27 )
12:30 -13:00 Awards for the best Young Reporters for the Environmnet (YRE) in 2017
13:00-13:30 Break
13:30-17:00 Presentations
17:00 Conference closing
Call: The Thirteenth Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe – EnE17″, June 5th 2017, Belgrade
We are pleased to invite you to in Belgrade (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Terazije 23, 2nd floor, main hall). Conference is UN WED event.
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development in partnership with Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia organize The Thirteenth Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe – EnE17”. Thematic area this year is Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development. The Conference is an opportunity for institutions, organizations and experts to present their research and exchange viewpoints regarding climate change and environmental education. We firmly believe that your scientific/research results and experience will substantially help a better understanding of these fields. Being aware of the necessity of a close cooperation between science and practice, including the practice within competent institutions, we invite you to take active participation in the Conference “Environment to Europe – EnE17”, either by preparing and presenting your paper or by contributing as an auditor and participant. First, you need to apply to the Conference “Environment to Europe” Program (http://feeserbia.com/ Conference Organizing Committee is pleased to inform you that the registration fee for paper publishing in the CD Conference Proceeding is 50 €. Students are exempt from paying the registration fee. More information: Dunja Prokić, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, e-mail: eneconference@feeserbia.com, web site: http://ambassadors-env.com and http://feeserbia.com/. Environment to Europe Program Coordinator dr Dunja Prokić |
EASD have new President of the Council
From March 2017 President of the Council is Dunja Prokic. Dunja is the 2nd elected President of Council of “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Developments” ( The first President of Council was Hristina Stevanovic Carapina, from organisation establishment)
From 2012 Dunja Prokic is engaged by Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development on EnE program – Environment to Europe (as main coordinator of the Regional Conference “Environment to Europe).
Dunja Prokic, has PhD in environmental protection science, dissertation in the field of contaminated sites remediation was defended at the Faculty of Environmental Governance and Corporate Responsibility, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica in 2012. Finished her Master degree at the Faculty of Technical Science, University of Novi Sad in 2009 (Master of Technical Science). During postgraduate studies, her research focused on waste management and as a scholar of the Ministry of Science, she worked on several projects in the field of energy technologies and renewable energy sources. She finished her basic studies at the Faculty of Technical Science, Environmental Engineering Department, University of Novi Sad in 2005 (Graduate Engineer of Environmental Engineering).
From 2008 to 2012, Dunja worked as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Environmental Governance and Corporate Responsibility, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica. From 2012. till now, she has worked as a assistant professor for environmental management at the Faculty of Environmental Governance and Corporate Responsibility, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica on the following subjects: Corporate environmental standards, Environmental risk management, Management of technological development, Environmental strategic planning and Revitalization and remediation of the environment. Since 2009, she worked as a expert –associat in NGO “Ambassadors of Sustainable Development” on projects in the area of local environmental security, waste management, eco-communication etc. She was in a team of a national expert for Serbian preparation for the World Conference on Sustainable Development RIO+20.
Since 2008 till now, Dunja has participated in numerous scientific and professional conferences in the country and abroad. She has published more than 50 scientific papers in the following areas: waste management, environmental security, EIA and SEIA, climate change, remediation of contaminated sites, water resources management, LCA and sustainable development. She actively participated in several international, national, regional and local projects in the field of environmental protection. She is currently engaged on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development project (project number 176019). In recent years, she has worked as a consultant on the study related to waste and wastewater management. During professional development, she is focused on implementation of the values in protecting and preserving our environment through the concept of sustainable development at all levels of governance.
“EnE17 – The 13th Regional Conference Environment to Europe” announcement: Climate Change Education
It is our pleasure to announce “EnE17 – The 13th Regional Conference Environment to Europe”. This year it is dedicated to Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development.
Traditionally, this Conference (with a success record) is organized by “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. Conference is UNEP WED event.
Conference will be held on June 5th 2017 in Belgrade (at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbian in Belgrade). Within the Conference opening (opening session is usually from 10:00), we plan to organized Panel discussion on the topic of the Conference: ”Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development”.
More information http://feeserbia.com/
Contact email: eneconference@feeserbia.com.
Entering year 2017 with highlights from 2016: ENV.net project publications
A Guideline of EU Accession Monitoring Tools for CSOs in candidate and potential candidate countries: Chapter 27, (Authors and contributors: Andjelka Mihajlov, Natasa Zugic-Drakulic, Filip Jovanovic, Federico Bastia, Simona Pogliani, Mara Silina, Teida Shehi and Dusko Hristov), Published by Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development with the financial assistance of the EU – ENV.net project document, Belgrade January 2015
How to influence environmental policy through effective advocacy (Authors: Margherita Tolotto and Mara Silina), ENV.net Advocacy Toolkit, European Environmental Bureau, Brussels, January 2015
Climate change and challenges of the enlargement (Authors: Anja Kolmuss, Dragana Mileusnic, Zanna Vanrenterghem and Richard Filcak), ENV.net Advocacy Toolkit, European Environmental Bureau, Brussels,September 2016
EASD and ECOSOC signals: Achieving sustainable development through infrastructure
Infrastructure is a pre-requisite for advances across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including for reducing poverty, promoting economic growth, addressing inequality and ensuring environmental sustainability. Infrastructure is addressed directly through SDG 9, which commits the international community to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Moreover, “investments in sustainable infrastructure are recognized as a major cross-cutting driver that can contribute to achieving all the SDGs”, as stated by Under-Secretary-General for UN DESA, Wu Hongbo, at the 2015 Global Forum on Development. Resilient infrastructure is essential for ensuring sustainable development for all. “If we are to achieve our goals, and leave no one behind, we must address large infrastructure gaps in developing countries,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the inaugural Global Infrastructure Forum in April 2016.
“Developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable, need international support to bridge existing infrastructure gaps,” emphasized Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the Global Infrastructure Forum. Infrastructure gaps pose major challenges to the implementation of the SDGs. The financing gap for infrastructure in developing countries, for example, is estimated to be 1 to 1.5 trillion dollars annually. Through the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), the international community has committed to support resilient, sustainable infrastructure and to provide a comprehensive framework for mobilising the means to finance it.
Infrastructure that enables countries to adapt to and mitigate climate change is needed to support the Paris Climate Change Agreement. New and resilient infrastructure is also needed to support sustainable urbanization, as the number of people living in cities in emerging economies is expected to double by 2030. Resilient infrastructure is needed, moreover, to cope with the increasing incidence and magnitude of natural disasters.
In recent years there have been several new global, regional and national initiatives aimed at increasing investment in infrastructure. In Africa, for example, infrastructure is a priority element for realizing the vision of Africa’s Agenda 2063. At the global level, the international community committed to support the realisation of resilient, sustainable infrastructure through the AAAA, and created a new Global Infrastructure Forum—which held its inaugural meeting in April—to facilitate access to financing and technical expertise.
The global discussion on infrastructure will continue on 21 July 2016 at UN Headquarters as part of ECOSOC’s 2016 thematic discussion on “Infrastructure for sustainable development for all”. The thematic discussion, part of ECOSOC’s High-level Segment, will engage a broad range of voices in a global dialogue on infrastructure for sustainable development that is inclusive and leaves no one behind. It will offer policy recommendations and inform the Inter-agency Task Force report on Financing for Development, as well as the 2017 Global Infrastructure Forum. For more information: UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
EASD already is addressing the issue of environmental infrastructure as the condition for sustainable development ( 1 , 2 , 3….), as well as by research and promotion ( A, B, C , …)
REPORT FROM EnE16-ENV.net, BELGRADE, SERBIA
The Regional Conference ‘’Environment to Europe – EnE16-ENV.net’’ was held on 6th of June 2016 in Belgrade (Serbia) to address issues related to climate changes and sustainability of resources. Traditionally, this Conference was organized by professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. Conference was UNEP WED event, supporting EU Integration process through project ’’Development of the ENV.net in West Balkans and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration’’.
EnE16-ENV-net was opened with introductory speeches by Nermina Ljubovic, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Stanojla Mandic, Deputy Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Serbia, PhD Mirjana Drenovak-Ivanovic from Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade and member of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, responsible for specific sectors of Chapter 27 and prof. dr Anđelka Mihajlov, from Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development and member of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, responsible for specific sectors of Chapter 27. Conference was attended by representatives from government and non-government sectors, international organizations, scientific institutions and business associations.
Conference participants (about 170 registered participants) were unique in that: we have a respectable experts in the field of environment and climate change (both those with experience, and young professionals – who have difficulty finding employment in their profession). As the EU accession a significant priority for Serbia, so will the chapter relating to the environment and climate change (Chapter 27) will be increasingly important in the process that in our country we have European standards. Profession and experience should be the guarantor for the “right” solution to this path. Public participation in decision-making on issues relevant to the environment is one of the pillars of sustainability solutions. Appropriate environmental education is an important factor for the performance of the process of sustainable growth and development. Participants in the discussion have tried to provide answers to questions on how to be more effective in environmental protection and responsive to nature. More information
WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe”
The Twelfth Regional Conference EnE16–ENV.net was held in Belgrade on June 6, 2016 – traditionally as the main UNEP WED event in country. This year Conference focus are Climate Change and Sustainability of Resources.
More about Conference ; EnE16-ENV.net Zbornik radova/Proceedings of papers
Moments from the Conference – Gallery of pictures.
Key messages from Conference:
1. Conference in continuity shows that we have a respectable experts in the field of environment and climate change (both those with experience and young professionals – who have difficulties to find the job in the profession),
2. As the EU accession is a significant priority for Serbia,the chapter related to the environment and climate change (Chapter 27) will be more and more important in the process of achieving EU standards. Knowledge and experience should be the guarantee for the “right” solution to this path towards EU environmental values
3. This conference contributes to the improvement of citizens’ influence on the process of reform in the environment sector in support of the European Union accession. The participation of the public in decision-making on issues relevant to the environment is one of the pillars of sustainability solutions
4. Adequate education for environment and sustainable development, is an important factor in the performance of the process of sustainable growth and development
At the Conference will hear the voice of young people – the winning article at the international competition “YRE“.
5. As this conference is supported by UNEP, as one of the official events to celebrate World Environment Day , we advocate and promote message that globally, environmental crime rise and it is the strong need to “reverse” performance in order to achieve sustainable growth and development
EASD promoted sustainable tourism (GREEN KEY eco labeling) and organic food consumerism (On June 5), and “Bicycling” promotion by ECO-SCHOOLS children (June 4), merging with Eco-Package exhibition.
ENV.net Course: CSO Participation in Accession Process
9:30-10:00 Registration of participants
10:00-10:10 Short introduction of ENV.net project, Nataša Žugić-Drakulić, ENV.net coordinator for Serbia
10:10-11:10 Andjelka Mihajlov and Mirjana Drenovak Ivanovic, representatives of the Negotiation Team 27
11:10-11:30 Representative of the Negotiation Group 27, invited
11:30-11:50 Jelena Pajović van Reenen, representative of the Office for Cooperation with Civil Society
11:50-12:10 Natasa Djereg, Center for Ecology and Sustainable Development- CEKOR, National Convention on the EU: “Role of CSOs in Accession Process”
12:10-12:30 Hristina Stevanović-Čarapina, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development: “Position papers on Chemicals/Waste/IPPC, as the framework for discussion”
12:30-13:00 Discussion
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-14:45 Richard Filcak, European Environmental Bureau: “Horizontal polices and legislation – lessons learned from the EU accession process, challenges and opportunities”
14:45-15:30 Richard Filcak, European Environmental Bureau: “CSOs in EC Progress Reporting”
15-30-16:00 Mirko Popović, Belgrade Open School: Coalition 27 Report on Serbia’s progress in the Chapter 27 (Environment and Climate Change) of the EU pre-accession negotiation 27: Environment and Climate Change
16:00-16:30 Discussion
* Moderator: Aleksandra Mladenović, Executive Director, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development
EASD participated at the First High Level Ministerial Panel on Responding to Climate and Environmental Challenges in South East Europe
01.04.2016: Climate change and environment – Crucial issues for SEE
Sarajevo/Podgorica – The First High Level Ministerial Panel on Responding to Climate and Environmental Challenges in South East Europe (SEE) took place today in Podgorica. The meeting was opened by the Montenegrin Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Branimir Gvozdenovic; the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic; the Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Center (REC), Marta Bonifert; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Director, Jan Dusik and the German Ambassador to Montenegro, Gudrun Elisabeth Steinacker.
Speaking for the RCC, Secretary General Goran Svilanovic warned that SEE is vulnerable to climate change and that its water, energy, food and security of critical infrastructure is threatened by an increase in extreme events such as the catastrophic floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia in 2014. Svilanovic said that “the RCC is focused on providing a concerted regional approach towards climate resilient growth that ensures greater security and economic gains, than isolated unilateral interventions at the national level”. He emphasized that “one of the most important global events last year was the Paris Climate Conference and our task in the region is to make sure we implement the decisions from Paris and the RCC is fully committed to that goal.
The ministers, together with other international partners and representatives of the civil society organisations (with EASD representative participated at event) discussed the state of climate and environment in SEE and reviewed the state of ongoing regional cooperation in this field. The focus was on the advantages and shortcomings of the current initiatives. In a joint declaration titled “The Podgorica Initiative”, adopted at the meeting, the ministers supported a regional approach to environmental and climate change issues and commended the cooperation with the RCC which has supported the establishment of the Regional Working Group on Environment. The chairing of the Working group was passed on from Montenegro to Serbia today. The Ministers also asked the host country of this meeting to convey the declaration to the Paris Western Balkans Summit in the summer of this year.
Save the date and participate: June 6, 2016 – Environment to Europe Conference
We are pleased to invite you to The Twelfth Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe EnE16 – ENV.net”, which will be held on June 6th 2016 in Belgrade (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia). Conference is UNEP WED event. Conference supports EU Integration process through the project “Development of the ENV.net in West Balkans and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration”.
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development in partnership with Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia organize The Twelfth Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe” EnE16 – ENV.net. Thematic area this year is Climate Change and Sustainability of Resources.
The Conference is an opportunity for institutions, organizations and experts to present their research and exchange viewpoints regarding climate change and sustainable use of natural resources.
We firmly believe that your scientific/research results and experience will substantially help a better understanding of these fields. Being aware of the necessity of a close cooperation between science and practice, including the practice within competent institutions, we invite you to take active participation in the Conference “Environment to Europe – EnE16-ENV.net”, either by preparing and presenting your paper or by contributing as an auditor and participant.
Conference Organizing Committee is pleased to inform you that, thanks to the support of the EU through ENV.net project, there will be no participation fee.First, you need to apply to the Conference “Environment to Europe” Program (http://feeserbia.com/
If you experience problems completing the registration, please send e-mail to: eneconference@feeserbia.com .
More information: Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, e-mail:eneconference@feeserbia.com, web site: http://ambassadors-env.com and http://feeserbia.com/ .
Environment to Europe Program Coordinator
dr Dunja Prokić
Chapter 27: Environment and climate change in the media
Activities of the project include:
• The round table / seminar on 28 October at 12 am in the Media Center: Chapter 27, environment and climate change in the media ,
for journalists, includes Chapter 27, case reporting practices on this issue in our country (compared with reporting in other countries) …. (presentation of the project activities at the fair ECOFAIR 2015, with a public invitation to interested parties to apply for the seminar)
– preparing and making available information on-line brochure for the Press
Activities contribute to the objective of the project to influence the improvement of journalistic skills and knowledge for specialized reporting in the field of environmental protection and climate change, which would contribute to the improvement of ways, the quality and scope of media coverage and better information of the citizens. The project is support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, which in 2015 co-financed ENV.net project.
SDGs as the relevant part of the context within which FEE operates
After a long series of intergovernmental negotiations on various themes,which saw a broad participation from major groups and civil society stakeholders under the guidance of the United Nations State Members, the Goals have been adopted on September 25th at the New York United Nations Summit by 193 Member States. In the same occasion, the UN launched their post-2015 development agenda, in which the Goals are integrated. UN Member States, the civil society and private sector contributors will use this new, universal set of goals, targets and indicators to guide development global efforts over the next 15 years in a concerted international action within the broadest, most ambitious development agenda ever agreed at the global level. The 17 Goals and 169 Targets are meant to be action-oriented, concise and easy to communicate, aspirational, global in nature and universally applicable to all countries, while taking into account the different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities.
The Foundation for Environmental Education with its global network thus needs to frame and highlight its role as a stakeholder and trendsetter in the Sustainable Development process, particularly for environmental, educational and eco-tourism matters. The SDGs will define a relevant part of the context within which FEE operates, thus we are driven to reflect our work in the Goals.
FEE through its mission of fostering awareness, knowledge, participation, commitment, skills, actions and creativity on the environment and on sustainable development, shares the core values behind the set of SDGs. The programmes based on Education for Sustainable Development, such as YRE, Eco-Schools and LEAF show a strong link with the educational Goal (SDG 4) and the Goal on global partnership for sustainable development (SDG 17). FEE’s tourism eco-labels, Green Key and Blue Flag, on the other hand, have a focus on making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11) and on implementing tools for monitoring sustainable development impacts for tourism (SDG 12.b).
Thus, FEE as an umbrella organisation aims at reaching objectives as indicated in the SDGs:
– “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” (SDG 3).
– “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all” (SDG 4).
– “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water..” (SDG 6),
– “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all” (SDG 7),
– “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” (SDG14), as well as to
– “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems..” (SDG 15).
– “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth..” (SDG 8), particularly to “..Implement policies to promote sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products” (SDG 8.9).
– “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” (SDG 11).
– “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” (SDG 12).
– “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” (SDG 13).
– “..Promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems..” (SDG 15).
– “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development..” (SDG 16), particularly to build transparent institutions and promote non-discriminatory policies for sustainable development (SDGs 16.6, 16.b) with a positive, proactive, democratic modus operandi and a strong synergic support to civil society and third sector.
– “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG 17) through a geographically spread, multi-stakeholder approach.
Programmes’ overview:
a) YRE: Young Reporters for the Environment is a network of international youth engaged in environmental journalism and Education for Sustainable Development, where the students investigate an environmental problem and report it to the local community, while, at the international level, they may cooperate with young reporters from other countries for sharing information or data, with the aim of proposing a solution and disseminating it.
The most evident link between the Young Reporters for the Environment programme and the SDGs is found in the Goal 4:
“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality educationand promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” and its subparagraphs“..increase … the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship” (SDG 4.4) with the aim of learning to think critically, “ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skillsneeded to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of cultures contribution to sustainable development” (SDG 4.7) for being able to connectwith concrete issues.
The environmental educational programme thus also wish for taking “action to combat climate change and its impacts” (SDG13), specifically for what concerns to “improveeducation, awareness raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning” (SDG 13.3) through active solution-oriented learning. The programme canalso help to“promote mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change related planning and management, in LDCs, including focusing on women, youth, local and marginalized communities” (SDG 13.b).
YRE is a network of young people educating for sustainable developmentand environmental issues in general, thus it also supportsthe aim of many other SDGs, such as:
“Promotesustainable agriculture” (SDG 2).
“Promote well-beingfor all at all ages” (SDG 3).
“Achieve gender equality and empowerall womenand girls” (SDG 5).
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of waterand sanitation for all”, supporting and strengthening the participation of local communities (SDG6)
“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energyfor all”(SDG7)
“Promotesustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”, developing measures that support creativity and innovation (SDG8)
“Build resilient infrastructure, promoteinclusive and sustainableindustrializationand fosterinnovation”enhancing scientific research (SDG9)
“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable … Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality, municipal and other waste management”(SDG 11)
“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”, raising awareness on sustainable development and lifestyles which are in harmony with nature (SDG12)
“Conserve and sustainably use the oceans seas and marine resources for sustainable development”, aiming to preventmarine pollution and protectmarine and coastal ecosystems (SDG14)
“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”, promoting the implementation of sustainable management of the forests (SDG15)
YRE helps to “Promotepeaceful and inclusive societies for sustainabledevelopment..”(SDG16)
YRE can encourage to “..Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG17)
The journalistic piece can influence the local communities to take action on various environmental matters
b) ECO-SCHOOLS: A global student-led change process in Education for Sustainable Development which involves also teachers’ training, integration in the school curriculum, environmental reviews, action plans, monitoring and evaluation, informing and involving the local community, setting an eco-code focusing on the various environmental themes (water, energy, waste, global citizenship..).
The programme is fully in line with the Goals:
“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” increasing the number of youth and adults with relevant skills and ensuring that all learners acquire knowledge for promoting sustainable development, developinga culture of peace and global citizenship while upgrading education facilities to child, disability and gender sensitive ones as to provide a safe, inclusive and effective learning environment for all(SDG 4)
“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, strengthening efforts to safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritagewith a focus on schools’ waste management, resource efficiency and climate change mitigation (e.g. Litter Less Campaign) (SDG 11)
“Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG 17).
The implementation of the Eco-Schools programme also works towards the achievement of the aim of more SDGs, such as:
“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-beingfor all at all ages” (SDG 3)
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, improving water quality and water-use efficiency with pollution reduction, minimizing the release ofhazardous chemicals, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater,increasing recycling or safe reuse and ensuring sustainable withdrawals together with the strengthening of the participation of local communitiesfor such purposes (SDG 6)
“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all” increasing the share of renewable energy and energy efficiency, with the result of creating also savings (SDG 7)
“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”with the improvement of resource efficiency in consumption and production as to endeavour to decouple economic growthfrom environmental degradation (SDG 8)
“Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation” (SDG 9)
“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”, using the natural resources efficiently, reducing the waste generation (including the food waste) and managing sustainably the chemical products (SDG 12)
“Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”specially improving education, awareness raising and capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning (SDG 13)
“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrialecosystems..” (SDG 15)
“Promotepeacefuland inclusivesocietiesfor sustainable development… and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels” highlighting the theme ofsocial justice(SDG 16).
c) LEAF: Learning About Forests wants to encourage environmental education through awareness raising among students, teachers and the wider school community, to increase knowledge about the key role forests play for sustainable life on our planet, reflecting their cultural, ecological, economic and social functions, with themes as biodiversity, climate, products or services, codes and myths.
The key Goals linked to the Learning About Forests programme are:
“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”, increasing the number of youths and adults who have relevant skills and ensuring that all learners (referring to the whole school community) acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature (SDG 4)
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water..”, protecting water-related ecosystems and supporting the participation of local communitiesfor improving water management(SDG 6)
“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”, ensuring a sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, including their biodiversity, in particular forests, wetlands mountains and drylands, preventing the extinction of threatened species(SDG 15)
The principles behind LEAF are compatible with the aim of more SDGs:
“End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promotesustainable agriculture”, implementing agricultural practices, such as the tree-planting events, which help maintain ecosystems and progressively improve land and soil quality (SDG 2)
“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” (SDG3)
“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainableand modern energyfor all” (SDG7)
“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment..”, endeavouring to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation and devising policies that encourage sustainable tourism which promotes local culture and products, such as jobs related to the forest, while learning to respect the forest community as well as its myths, laws and codes (SDG8)
“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage while supporting positive links between the urban and the rural areas as to widen the access to inclusive green and publicspaces (SDG11)
“Ensure sustainable consumption patterns” through relevant information and awareness for achieving sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG12)
“Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” improving education and awareness raising on climatechange and the role of forests (SDG13)
“Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG17).
d) BLUE FLAG: The world’s biggest voluntary eco-label for beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats works towards sustainable development through compliance with criteria dealing with environmental education and information, environmental management, water quality, safety and other services.
The principles and rules of the programme comply with the content of many Goals:
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, improving water quality with pollution reduction and minimization of hazardous chemicals release, increasing recycling, safe reuse and water-use efficiency through the usage of sustainable withdrawals as to protect water-related ecosystems also with the support and participation of local communities (SDG 6)
“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”improving the resource efficiencyin consumption while devising and implementing policies to promote sustainable tourism which creates job, promotes local culture and products.Blue Flag focuses as well on the protection of labour rights together with the promotion of a safe and secure working environment and the prohibition of child labour (SDG 8)
“Build resilient infrastructure..”upgrading it as to be sustainable and equipped with clean technologies (SDG 9)
“by 2030 empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status”with the aim of reducing inequalities and discriminatory practices for wages as social protection policies (SDG 10.2)
“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”enhancing capacities for participatory and sustainable human settlements as to strengthen the efforts for safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage while providing universal access to the public spaces particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities(SDG 11)
“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”for the efficient use of natural resources, through a sound management and reduction of chemicals and wastes and the promotion of sustainable public procurement practices (SDG 12)
“Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”preventing and reducing marine pollutionalso from land-based activities, addressing the impacts of ocean acidification and conserving coastal and marine areas. Blue Flags also contributes in increasing the economic benefits to SIDS and LDCs with the sustainable use of marine resources through tourism (SDG 14)
“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems… halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss” for halting the loss of biodiversity and preventing the extinction of threatened species, also through the integration of ecosystem values into local planning policies (SDG 15).
The implementation of the Blue Flag programme also work towards the aim of several more SDGs:
• “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” (SDG3)
• “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”as education has a central role in the programme and reaches out for all the persons involved in it as well as for theusers (SDG4)
• “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”(SDG5)
• “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable,and modern energy for all” to help increasing the share of renewable energy and energy efficiency(SDG7)
• “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”(SDG 13)
• “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development..”enforcing non-discriminatory policies for sustainable development (SDG16)
• Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development”through a multi-stakeholder partnership, which involves also public partnersand local authorities,where knowledge and expertise are shared (SDG17)
e) GREEN KEY: This eco-label for tourism facilities (hotels, campsites, small accommodations, tourist attractions and restaurants) is a voluntary award that aims at contributing to prevent climate change and reach sustainable tourism by awarding and promoting best practice, with the goal of changing the environmental practices at the awarded establishments but also the behaviour of tourism actors, including guests, staff, suppliers, authorities, local communities so to involve them in increasingly safeguarding their own environment. The focus is on themes such as environmental management, water, waste and energy saving, involvement and awareness of guests and staff, management of food and beverage and open spaces.
For what concerns the part of the programme related to environmental management, the Goals mainly involved are:
“Ensure … sustainable management of water..” improving its quality, having the proportion of untreated wastewater, increasing recycling, safe reuse and sustainable withdrawals of freshwater (SDG 6)
“Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”setting rules for developing or upgrading quality infrastructures to support economic development and human well-being for an increased resource use efficiency and greateradoption of clean technologies (SDG 9)
“Make … human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”paying attention to air quality, indoor environment and waste management as to tackle climate change(SDG 11)
“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”with rules for achieving sustainable management of natural resources,respecting eco-criteria for food and beverages, reducing waste generationand achieving environmentallysound management of chemicals (SDG 12).
This way the programme “develops and implements tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products” (12.b).
As an eco-tourism programme focused on the environmental awareness of staff and guests, the Goals principally involved are:
“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being..” where the programme has to encourage the users to take part in green activities (SDG 3)
“..ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights..” as part of the “educational Goal” (number 4), whereby the learners are the recipients of the environmental information expected in the implementation of the programme (SDG 4.7)
“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”, as the Green Key programme sets Corporate Social Responsibility and safety rules for the workers(SDG 8)
“Take urgent action tocombat climate change and its impacts”through a reduced environmental impact but also through the improvement of education and awareness raising for both the facilities’ staff and users (SDG 13)
“..revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” (SDG 17).
We participate!
- -The highly anticipated Zero draft of the outcome document for the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda is available for Stakeholder feedback . EASD teams carefully read document. The programme for the sixth session of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, to be held from 22-25 June, has been posted online .
- – In preparing the MTS 2018-21 and Programme of Work (PoW) for 2018-19, UNEP wishes to consult with Major Groups and Stakeholders to solicit views and ideas on what is expected from UNEP in the future, where UNEP should direct its efforts to serve best interests of all stakeholders and the environment, and which challenges UNEP should be well prepared to meet. EASD is preparing respond.
- – EASD acknowledge Initiatives by Non-State Actors to Curb Emissions Can Help Win the Fight against Climate Change – New UN Report The full report may be downloaded here.
- – The 2015 Resumed Session of the Committee on NGOs took place from 26 May to 3 June (and will adopt its report on 12 June), reviewing a total of 388 applications (including 176 applications that had been deferred from previous sessions), 7 reclassifications and 215 quadrennial reports. A total of 160 applications were recommended for consultative status with ECOSOC. The Committee closed, without prejudice, the consideration of 27 applications. Pending receipt of answers to questions posed by the members, the Committee deferred a total of 200 applications to its next session. EASD is looking forward to the decision related our application – expected to be taken up by ECOSOC at its next Coordination and Management Meeting, between 20-22 July 2015.
For your attention: 2015 ACUNS Conference
In June, 2015 the ACUNS Annual Meeting commemorates the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In cooperation with our host institutions,The Hague Institute for Global Justice and the International Institute of Social Studies, ACUNS invites its members, and other interested scholars and practitioners, to join us in The Hague to engage in critical, informed discussions of the achievements, the deficits and the ongoing challenges of the United Nations system in nurturing, developing, promoting and defending ideas and practices of security and justice in global governance. We do so, as we also return to “The City of Peace and Justice”, where ACUNS last held an Annual Meeting in 1994.
The title for this year’s Annual Meeting clearly reflects aspirations rather than accomplishments, and should be understood broadly. Today, just as the nature and scope of the UN system’s activities have expanded greatly since 1945, so too security and justice and their intersection in global governance are taken to include a far wider array of concerns than were debated in San Francisco. Preventing and resolving conflicts, promoting international peace, and pursing new norms of global justice now also can involve issues of sustainable development, economic crisis management, climate change, human rights and gender, the rule of law and transitional justice, as well as conflict management and resolution. From wars and crises in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza, to promoting efforts to prevent and stop violence against women everywhere, to highlighting the plight of small island states facing climate change-induced rises in sea levels, and responding to cross-border financial shocks, the UN system is called on frequently by Member States, NGOs and civil society organizations to assist or even to lead in global efforts to understand and address these problems. Too often, it is called on to do so when States and other bodies are themselves unable or unwilling to agree on the measures and resources needed, or sometimes even the cause(s) of the problems.
Plenary Titles
- The Role of The Hague Institutions in Promoting International Justice
- Balancing Law and Politics: What are the Tensions between Peace and Justice?
- The Future of Global Governance and the UN: Ensuring Security and Justice
- Global Equity and Global Justice: How Far will the SDGs Deliver?
EASD is ACUNS member. Prof Andjelka Mihajlov is in one of the ACUNS experts. Prof Mihajlov participated at ACUNS Vienna Conference , UN Colloquia Session II, 28 February 2011.
European Western Balkans Interview: Andjelka Mihajlov, Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development
European Western Balkans Interview: Andjelka Mihajlov, Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development
Prof dr. Anđelka Mihajlov, Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development, is a Full Professor at Faculty of Technical Sciences, the University of Novi Sad and Coordinator for environment and green economy at the Public Policy Institute. UN and EU expert, scientist and consultant. She has more than 300 published scientific papers. In last 20 years, her frameworks of the professional orientation are the environment and sustainable development.
European Western Balkans: What are in your opinion, the biggest ecological problems in Serbia?
Andjelka Mihajlov: The decades in which values and prosperity were/is created based on the principles of traditional economic models not managed to change ever-growing excessive consumption of natural resources and to fight marginalization of environmental issues. This is diagnosis for all over the Western Balkan region. My opinion is, that despite some good and very good snapshots and flagship cases relevant for environment sector, the highest environmental problem in Serbia, as well as in all countries in region, is “position” of sector in agenda of development: not among priorities and priority concerns.
EWB: Serbia expects one of the most difficult chapters in the negotiations with the EU, Chapter 27 relating the environment. In what extent is Serbia preparing for the opening of this chapter?
Serbia is having now 14 years of commitment to EU membership. In environmental sector it was, and it is a great challenge, especially having in mind “grey and brown environmental heritage”. In the frame of these more than ten years of actions, I could tell that improvement is respectable. However, a lot of issues remain unsolved.
In 2012 Serbia became a candidate for EU membership, and on 21st of January 2014 officially opened accession negotiations. Environmental negotiation process in Serbia started with Explanatory screening in September 2014, and followed with bilateral screening in November 2014. Screening report is expected by EC sometimes in 2015. Progress towards EU in the sector Environment (and Climate Change) vary from limited progress (2005), to moderate advanced (2006), little progress (2007, 2008, 2013,2014), some progress (2012), progressed well (2011), the establishment of ambitious legislative program (2002-2004), and to good progress (2009,2010).
And coming back to the question, Serbia is prepared and preparing to open negotiation in Chapter 27, with strong message from my side: it is crucially important to include people/experts with appropriate knowledge, skills and experience, as well as to effective coordinate actions with other sectors.
EWB: What will pose as a major challenge in this chapter?
AM: One of the main challenge is to harmonize socio-economic development with EU’s Resources-Efficient and Low-Carbon Policies and to implement in national legislation, already transposited EU environmental acquis at large extend.
I would like to underline a few national strategic documents: Strategy towards EU accession (2005), National Environmental Program (2010), with Action Plan (2014/15) and the 2011 National Environmental Approximation Strategy. The last one sets three goals: full and high quality transposition of the EU environmental acquis; maintenance of effective and affordable environmental infrastructure and services; and institutional arrangements for efficient approximation.
EWB: How much are events such as IV International Miteco Forum important in this process?
AM: I should acknowledge the intention of the Miteco Forum to bring professionals and experts to the floor, together with governmental official, international organization representatives and all interested in subject. I am very happy that I had opportunity to share reflection from 2014 European Resources Forum, just finished in Berlin, where I participated. I talked on Panel, promoting sustainable use of natural resources in hand with climate change actions. The part of my presentation was short introduction of the Seventh Environmental Action Program to the Miteco Forum audience.
And one more value of Miteco Forum – this is starting to be growing “family gathering” of professionals interested in environmental and waste issues. My pleasure is to see among them, my colleagues, followers, former and current students and civil society fellows.
EWB: What do you think is a good model for solving the problems of industrial and hazardous waste in companies that are in the process of restructuring?
AM: It is known, that personally I “entered” environmental sector through “hazardous waste door”. For years I was technical expert on Basel convention issues.
I do support main principles of preventive measures and environmentally friendly measures for and future generations’ well-being.
I do not support “one model fit all” in solving historical and existing pollution, mainly related to the industrial and the hazardous waste, in companies changing ownerships.
Environmental Due Diligence and environmental liability tools, combined with technical feasible solutions, could serve as the guideline frame. For now, when country do not have licensed hazardous waste facility, technical feasible solution is the export of hazardous waste (as it is practice in Serbia). It has to be understand, that when changing the ownership of company it should go hand-in-hand with proposed solutions and decision who is paying.
EWB: What are benefits of Serbia joining the European Union when it comes to the field of environmental protection?
AM: With EU accession and membership, Serbian citizens should have great benefits to share the same, high environmental values.
Empowering the environment sector, including promoting knowledge based actions and straightening expert capacities, as well investment in infrastructure that supports all aspects of sustainable development (sustainable/green growth) with socially sensible job creation, are challenges we are facing. We should “position” environment sector much higher in the agenda of development!
Andjelka Mihajlov was a member of the Serbian Government as the Minister for Protection of Natural Resources and Environment from June 2002 to March 2004, commencing significant reforms in the environmental sector in the country, with significant results in international and regional cooperation. In 2006, UN Environment Program identified her as the woman “environmental leader of the Western Balkans”. Prof. Mihajlov headed the expert team which prepared the Study on Green Economy for Serbia which was the basic platform for participation of the Serbian delegation at Rio+20 UN Conference in Brazil. In the period from 2005 to 2010, she was the member of the Environmental and Social Advisory Council to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London. She is a member of the National Committee for UNESCO and the Committee for Environment and Sustainable Development of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. She is national mentor for Foundation for Environmental Education with the seat in Copenhagen
ENV.net on the margins of ECF Annual Meeting in Brussels with European Commision
Some of ENV.net partners participated on ECF Annual Meeting in Brussels with European Commision (24-25 November 2014), using that opportunity to promote results of ENV.net project and to promote partnership. ENV.net broshure publish by Albanian partner is distributed.
Agenda of the Meeting includes:
– NGO SESSION: Self-organizing and preparatory meeting for discussion with the EC
– DIALOG WITH DG ENVIRONMENT REPRESENTATIVES: Mr Nicholas Hanley (head of Unit of International, Regional and Bilateral Relations), Mrs Madalina Ivanica (Policy officer-Unit of International, Regional and Bilateral Relations), Ms Marta Moren Abat (Policy Officer-Unit of International, Regional and Bilateral Relations), Mrs Slavitza Dobreva de Schietere (Policy Officer-Unit of Enforcement, Cohesion Policy and European Semester), Ms Iris Valkovic (Policy Officer-Unit of Enforcement, Cohesion Policy and European Semester), Mr Dimitrios ZEVGOLIS (DG Climate Action) and Mrs Ivana Mijatovic (DG Climate Action ), on thematic issues:
- – Water
- – EIA/SEA
- – Climate Change
Annual Meetings build on the outcomes of all Environment and Climate Forum (ECF) activities and the events represent the key opportunity for the civil society to get engaged into dialogue with high representatives of the European Commission. The agenda for the annual meetings is prepared in a bottom-up manner, with key input from the NGOs, as well as in consultation with the EC. The annual meetings are planned in a way to allow enough room for NGOs to self-organize , to provide state-of-the art information on EU policies and legislation, to develop capacities of NGOs, and allow time for bilateral meetings . Following preparatory steps at country level, the organisation of annual meetings builds on the outcomes of 8 conducted in-country preparatory meetings and wider consultations.
Key objectives of the meeting:
(i) To disseminate information (to the broad NGO community and other relevant stakeholders) about recent development, planned climate and environment policies and legislation of the European Union and evaluation of progress and bottlenecks in the EU accession process from the EC perspective;
(ii) To increase capacities of the regional NGOs to actively participate in EU enlargement;
(iii) To bring to the attention to the EU the enlargement points and concerns of civil society and discuss how to address issues and cases identified by the NGOs;
Participants: Representatives of 21 NGOs selected for ECF-ECRAN, Representatives of the European Commission, ECF Support Team and ECRAN experts.
ECF TRAINING MODULE 1 TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE EU ACCESSION PROCES
TRAINING MODULE 1
TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE EU ACCESSION PROCES: IMPROVING THE KNOWLEDGE BASE ON SCOPE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVIL SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT
Date: Nov 20-21, 2014
Place: Premier Best Western Hotel Conference Center, Podgorica, Montenegro
Draft Agenda Outline
Day 1: 20 Nov, 2014
Start | Finish | Topic | Facilitator/Speaker | Sub topic/Content |
08:30 | 09:00 | Registration and coffee | ||
9.00 | 09.10 |
Opening |
Richard Filcak, ECRAN ECF Expert |
Welcome/agendaECRAN and civil society involvement
Introduction of the participants and keynote speakers |
09.10 | 09.30 | Address by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism |
Ivana Vojinovic, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism |
Reflections on the progress of Montenegro in the EU enlargement process and role and involvement of the civil society |
9.30 | 10.00 | The EU enlargement and the civil society |
Alberto Cammarata, Head of Political Section in the EU Delegation to Montenegro |
The EU enlargement process and involvement of the civil society: goals and experience |
10.00 | 11.00 |
West Balkan, Turkey and the enlargement process |
Mihail Dimovski, ECRAN Team Leader |
ECRAN experience from progress monitoring and project activities: Situation, challenges and opportunities for public participation |
11.00 | 11.30 | Coffee Break | ||
11.30 | 12.30 | NGOs opportunities to contribute to country EU accession process |
Andjelka Mihajlov, ECRAN ECF expert
|
Accession to the EU and Negotiation with the EU (Chapter 27): 1. Accession steps, 2. Progress Monitoring, and 3. Negotiation |
12.30 | 13.30 | Lunch | ||
13.30 | 14.15 | Civil society and the enlargement – new member state experience | Fedor Cerne, ex member of negotiation team for Slovenia | The EU accessions and civil society involvement: Slovenian experience |
14.15 | 15.00 | EU accesion and Croatia: NGO perspective | Zeljka Leljak Gracin, Green Action Croatia | NGO perspective on the most recent EU enlargement: Lessons learned |
15.00 | 15.30 | Coffee Break | ||
15.30 | 16.30 | Negotiations and public involvement – Country experience Montenegro | Olivera Kujundzic, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, MontenegroNatasa Kovacevic – Green Home Montenegro | Experience from the enlargement process in Montenegro: existing models for cooperation with CSOs, challenges and future perspectives |
16.30 | 17.00 | Closing of the day | Richard Filcak, ECRAN Expert | Wrap up of the day, key issues for the 2nd day, AOB |
Day 2: 21 Nov, 2014
Start | Finish | Topic | Facilitator/Speaker | Sub topic/Content |
9:00 | 9:30 |
Opening |
Richard Filcak, ECRAN ECF Expert |
Summary of topics discussed day 1, goals of the day 2 |
9:30 | 10:30 | Strategic Planning and public involvement | Nadya Boneva, ECRAN Expert | The main needs of the approximation process, role of strategic planning in organising approximation process, experience from old and new Member States and Candidate Countries, the most important planning documents for the approximation process. |
10.30 | 11.00 | Coffee Break | ||
11.00 | 13.00 | Advocacy and the EU enlargement – short introFocusing the future (Group Work) | Richard Filcak and Lidija Zivcic, FOCUS Slovenia | Starting from SWOT, groups of NGOs identify key issues and challenges, outline strategic plans for the upcoming period and present their strategies reflecting inputs from the training |
13.00 | 14.00 | Lunch | ||
14.00 | 15.00 | Civil society and the enlargement process– Panel Discussion with short intro inputs from ECRAN and NGO experts presented | Moderator to be confirmed | Experiences, lessons learned and key messages for the NGO involvement |
15.00 | 15.30 | Wrap up, open issues for the future and evaluation | Richard Filcak, ECRAN Expert | Revisiting key issues, discussion on drivers, barriers and challenges and future of the EU accession process |
15.30 | Departure |
Regional training on the process of designation of potential Natura 2000 sites
Aleksandra Mladenovic of EASD, participated as ECF ECRAN regional representative at the Regional training on the process of designation of potential Natura 2000 sites, November 4-5, 2014; Podgorica, Montenegro.
Training was very useful and interesting, experienced presenters provided quality and sufficient information and discussions were simply and informative.
The training was moderated by Mr. Petr Roth, with experts-presenters from EU: Carlos Romao, EEA; Michael Hošek, Krkonose NP, Ministry of Environment, Czech Republic; András Schmidt, Ministry for Rural Development, Hungary; Erika Stanciu, ProPark Foundation, Romania; Jasminka Radović, SINP Croatia. Specific objectives of the meeting were to provide staff of public administration and expert bodies of ECRAN beneficiary countries responsible for preparation of (future) Natura 2000 network with exhaustive information about the particular steps of its building, their logical order, data, expertise, time and funding requirements, to make them familiar with the requirements of the European Commission, and to provide them with practical examples from current EU MS. All these information have been shared and will serve as a background for preparing roadmaps for each particular country, but also for formulating their requirements for funding, personnel and time needed for accomplishing their tasks.
In Serbia “little progress has been made in the areas of environment and climate change” in 2014
The final 17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
In the Outcome Document from the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, session held on 19 July 2014, there are 17 SDGs:
Places and Technologies 2014
On April 3, 2014, as the Conference Guest lecturer, Prof Andjelka Mihajlov participated in Plenary, presenting interconnections between sustainable cities planning and design, climate change and sustainable development. The main tasks of this First International Academic Conference PLACES AND TECHNOLOGIES are issues related to:
- the future of society and places,
- design of places, facilities and infrastructure in line with new and future needs of inhabitants,
- development of institutions and regulations with an aim of creating appropriate and high quality environment, and
- creation of favourable conditions for the advancement of innovation and business.
ECRAN NGOs Environment and Climate Change Forum – Evaluation Outcome
On April 2, 2014, we are informed of the results of the evaluation process which was done by the European Commission (following the call for interest published in January 2014, a number of 63 applications have been submitted from Croatia and the EU candidate countries (FYRoM, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey) and potential candidates (Albania, BiH, Kosovo*[1])).
The score received by Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development during the evaluation process qualifies our organisation to join the NGOs Environment and Climate Forum. EC congratulate us for our achievement and look forward to working with us for the next three years in the framework of the ECRAN NGOs Environment and Climate Forum.
We congratulate to our Team!!!
ECF NGOs are in alphabetic order :
- Association of Young Ecologists of Niksic, Montenegro
- ATRC, Kosovo
- CEKOR, Serbia
- Center for Climate Change – Skopje, FYROM
- Center for ecology and energy, BiH
- Center for Environment, BiH
- Center for environmental research and information Eco-sense, FYROM
- Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat Development, Albania
- Eco Movement Group Albania, Albania
- EDEN Center, Albania
- Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, Serbia
- Friends of the Earth Croatia, Croatia
- Instituti i Kosoves per Politika Zhvillimore, Kosovo
- KADOS Kadikoyu Friends of Science Culture and Art Association, Turkey
- LIR Evolution, BiH
- Macedonian Green Center , FYROM
- Milieukontakt Macedonia, FYROM
- NGO Center for Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro, Montenegro
- NGO Green Home, Montenegro
- TEMA, Turkey
- Young Researchers of Serbia, Serbia
[1] This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
Agenda for EnE14/ENV.net Conference “Environment to Europe”, June 5, 2014 in SCC – opening at 10:00
Conference Agenda
5. juni June 5th
Velika sala u PKS, Resavska 15 | Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Resavska 15 |
9:00 – 9:45 Registracija učesnika /Registration
9:45 – 10:00 Preparation to opening sharp at 10:00 / Priprema da otvaranje bude sa početkom tačno u 10h
10:00 – 11:00 Uvodna obraćanja sa uručivanjem Zahvalnica za partnerstvo “Životna sredina ka Evropi” / Opening remarks with handing out Recognitions for “Environment to Europe” partnership
Predsedništvo: Siniša Mitrović, prof.dr Andjelka Mihajlov , prof.dr Nataša Žugić-Drakulić, Dušan Stokić, doc. dr Dunja Prokić
- Irena Vojáčková – Sollorano, UN Resident Coordinator / Visoki predstavnik UN u Srbiji
- Freek Janmaat, Head of European Integration and Economic Section, Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, Direktor sektora za evropske integracije i ekonomiju, Delegacija Evropske unije u Republici Srbiji
- Gabriela Bennemann, Head of department for economy and trade at the German Embassy in the Republic of Serbia, Rukovodilac ekonomskog odeljenja nemačke ambasade u Republici Srbiji
- Stana Božović, State Secretary for Environment, Ministry for Agriculture and Environmental Protection/državna sekretarka za životnu sredinu (tbfc)
- Filip Radović, Head of Serbian Environmental Protection Agency – Ministry for Agriculture and Environmental Protection , Direktor Agencije za zaštitu životne sredine Republike Srbije-Ministarstvo poljoprvirede i zaštite životne sredine Republike Srbije
- Rodolјub Šabić,The Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data /Poverenik za informacije od javnog značaja i zaštitu podataka o ličnosti Vlade Srbije
- Representative of the Government of Serbia’s Office for EU integration, Predstavnik Kancelarije za evropske integracije Vlade Srbije
- Željko Sertić, Serbian Chamber of Commerce President / Predsednik Privredne komore Srbije (tbc)
- Representative of SCC Commity of Environment and Sustainable Development/ Predstavnik Odbora za životnu sredinu i održivi razvoj PKS
- Snežana Radočaj, Head of Hemofarm Foundation/Direktorka Fondacije Hemofarm
- Aleksandar Dragišić, Head of Institute for nature conservation of Serbia/Direktor Zavoda za zaštitu prirode Srbije
- Prof. dr Stevan Lilić, Public Policy Institute Podgorica/Beograd/Ljubljana, Institut za javnu politiku Podgorica/Beograd/Ljubljana
- Saša Mihajlović,Green Serbian Chamber of Commerce President/ Predsednik Privredna komora Zelene Srbije
- Tatjana Trifunov, JP “Ada Ciganlija” Beograd
- Represebntative of OSCE in Serbia / Predstavnik OEBS u Srbiji
- Maja Spasojević, Head of Environmental Management, Health, Energy and Agriculture Department, EPTISA Regional Office for SEE, Eptisa Regional Office for SEE/ Direktor sektora zivotne sredine, energetike, zdravlja i poljoprivrede, EPTISA Regionalna kancelarija za jugoistocnu Evropu
- Prof.dr. Anđelka Mhajlov, Introductory message: Importance and Institutional set up in Serbia for Chapter 27 negotiation with EU / Uvodna poruka: Važnost i institucionalno organizovanje u Srbiji za pregovaranje poglavlja 27 sa EU
Note/Napomena: Pending invitation will be included in the final Agenda upon confirmation/ Uvaženi pozvani gosti će biti uvršćeni u finalni dnevni red, po dobijanju potvde učešća
11:00 -11:10 Technical Break / Tehnička pauza
11:10- 13:00 Plenary lectures / Plenarna predavanja
(Moderatori: Prof dr Hristina Stevanović-Čarapina, Prof. Dr. Predrag Simonović, Prof. Dr. Zora Dajić-Stevanovć, Draženko Bijelič, Milica Petrović)
Negotiating chapter 27: process and challenges, Arunas Kundrotas, Senior adviser on EU integration, ENVAP project, Jovana Majkic, Coordinator of Negotiaton Group 27, Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection
EMAS III – DOBRODOŠLI U EU! / EMAS III – WELCOME TO EU!, DRAGANA PETROVIĆ, VICTORIA CONSULTING D.O.O./ EMAS NACIONALNI EKSPERT NA PROJEKTU EU: LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION CONTROL, PREVENTION OF CHEMICAL ACCIDENTS AND ESTABLISHING THE EMAS SYSTEM IN SERBIA,EUROPEAID/131555/C/SER/RS., BEOGRAD
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ECONOMY: TOURISM ASPECTS FOR GREECE, A.V. Michailidou, Ch. Vlachokostasa, Ch.-T. Tsourdioua, D. Spyridia, G. Baniasb, Ν. Moussiopoulosa, Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Environmental Engineering, Aristotle University Thessaloniki; School of Economics and Business Administration, International Hellenic University, Thermi, Greece
Multi-criteria Prioritization of the Flood Management Projects in Republica Srpska using PEPA Methodology, Merih Kerestecioglu, Mihajlo Stevanović, Ljiljana Stojić, Vassilis Evmopidis, COWI IPF Consortium ,Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Republika Srpska
Aktivnosti Zavoda za zaštitu prirode Srbije u oblasti zaštite prirode, Poglavlje 27, Verica Stojanović, član radne grupe za Poglavlje 27
ENV.net PROJEKAT : NAPREDAK I IZAZOVI / ENV.net Project: Progress and Chalanges, Nataša Žugić-Drakulić i Filip Jovanović, Naconalna koordinatorka i asistent projekta Development of ENV.net in West Balkan and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration – Ambasadori održivog razvoja i životne sredine/Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development
Moj izbor, moje pravo–zdrava životna sredina!, Zorica Stevanović, Centar za razvoj građanskog društva “PROTECTA”, Niš
Vrste biljaka i životinja značajnih za zaštitu prirode u EU, Gabor Mesaroš, Udruženje za zaštitu i razvoj okruženja i graditeljskog nasleđa – Protego, Subotica
13:00-14:00 Break with buffet / Pauza sa posluženjem
14:00-14:15 Zajedničko fotografisanje dobitnika Priznanja za partnerstvo “Životna sredina ka Evropi” / Group Photo of awarded with Diploma for Partnership Recognition), Spisak na kraju Agende/List of awarded is included in the Agenda
14:15-17:00 Nastavak plenarnih predavanja – Plenary presentation continuation
(Moderatori: Milica Petrović, Draženko Bijelić, Uroš Rakić, Milena Tabašević, Radmila Marjanov-Panjević, Nataša Žugić Drakulić)
Učestalost prekoračenja GV PM10 – poređenje stanja kvaliteta vazduha u Republici Srbiji i EU, Anđelka Radosavljević, Tihomir Popović, Lidija Marić Tanasković, Biljana Jović, Agencija za zaštitu životne sredine
MEĐUNARODNI PROPISI O UČEŠĆU JAVNOSTI U DONOŠENJU ODLUKA I REPUBLIKA SRBIJA, TINA JANJATOVIĆ, MINISTARSTVO POLJOPRIVREDE I ZAŠTITE ŽIVOTNE SREDINE , DRAGOLJUB TODIĆ, INSTITUT ZA MEĐUNARODNU POLITIKU I PRIVREDU, BEOGRAD
SRBIJA U PROCESU EVROPSKIH INTEGRACIJA I ZNAČAJ PRIMENE EMS U ORGANIZACIJAMA LOKALNE SAMOUPRAVE, Novica Staletović, Nataša Borojević, Violeta Ćulibrk, Srđan Kovačević, UnivErzitet Union-Nikola Tesla, Fakultet za ekologiju i zaštitu životne sredine, Beograd; SO Plandište: EPS JP PK, Beograd
REZULTATI I PROBLEMI U SPROVOĐENJU IPA PROGRAMA PREKOGRANIČNE SARADNJE OD ZNAČAJA ZA OBLAST ŽIVOTNE SREDINE I POGLAVLJE 27, MLADENKA IGNJATIĆ, DRAGOLJUB TODIĆ, ISTRAŽIVAČKI FORUM EVROPSKOG POKRETA U SRBIJI
Izlaganja/Presentations
Promena ekološke svesti građana Bora od LEAP-a 2003. do LEAP-a 2013, Dragan Ranđelović, Milan Trumić, Toplica Marjanović, Ljiljana Marković Luković, Maja Trumić, Društvo mladih istraživača Bor
Application of geographic information system (GIS) in environmental monitoring, Uroš Rakić, Institut zа јаvnо zdrаvljе Srbiје „Dr Milаn Јоvаnоvić Bаtut” Beograd
Assessing Territorial Attractiveness in South East Europe/Ocena atraktivnosti teritorija Jugoistocne Evrope, Projekat, Blaž Barborič, Geodetski institut Slovenije, Republička agencija za prostorno planiranje
Eko-standardi kao konkurentska prednost u hotelijerstvu i turizmu, Jovana Stevanovic, Ratko Trifunovic, Milica Petrovic, Marija Kostic, Fakultet za hotelijerstvo i turizam u Vrnjackoj Banji, Vrnjacka Banja
ADAPTACIJE NA KLIMATSKE PROMENE U OBLASTI BIODIVERZITETA U REPUBLICI SRBIJI, Daniela Cvetković, Slađana Đorđević, Tanja Kukobat, Miloš Nikolić, Fakultet za primenjenu ekologiju Futura, Univerzitet Singidunum, Beograd
EKOLOŠKE MREŽE U FUNKCIJI SMANJENJA NEGATIVNOG UTICAJA KLIMATSKIH PROMENA NA BIODIVERZITET, Ljubica Petrović, Geografski fakultet Beograd
MALE VODENE POVRŠINE U KONTEKSTU KLIMATSKIH PROMENA, Radmila Marjanov Panjević, Ines Trivan Krivo, Ante Stantić, JP „ Zavod za urbanizam Grada Subotice
Praktični rezultati usaglašavanja sadržaja arsena u pijaćoj vodi Vojvodine sa zahtevima direktive 98/83/EC, Andrej Kukučka, Udruženje zaštite životne sredine RIO , Nov Sad
Uticaj deponije na zagađivanje podzemnih voda , Draženko Bjelić, Dragana Nešković Markić, J.P.’’DEP-OT’’ Regionalna deponija Banja Luka
Emergentne supstance i istraživanja 2020, Mirjana Vojinović Miloradov, Ivan Španik, Ivana Mihajlović, Olga Vyviurska, Draginja Kalinić, Jelena Radonić, Maja Turk Sekulić, Departman za inženjerstvo zaštite životne sredine, Fakultet tehničkih nauka, Univerzitet u Novom Sadu; Slovački Tehnološki Univerzitet u Bratislavi, Institut za analitičku hemiju, Univerzitet u Bratislavi, Slovačka
Primena biootpada kao heterogenog katalizatora u proizvodnji biodizela, Sofija Miškov, Ivona Radović, Mirjana Kijevčanin, Tehnološko – metalurški fakultet Beograd
Dinamika aeroalergenog polena u Subotici , Nataša Čamprag Sabo, Zavod za javno zdravlje Subotica
OPORAVAK DEGRADIRANOG ŠUMSKOG ZEMLJIŠTA SA ASPEKTA ŽIVOTNE SREDINE, Milijana Petković-Kostić, Jelena Đurić, Milena Stanojević, JP Zavod za urbanizam Niš
Energy efficient lighting – pilot project at University of Belgrade, Todorović Dušan, Jovović Aleksandar, Radić Dejan, Obradović Marko, Stanojević Miroslav, Bodrožić Jasmina, Janković Petar University of Belgrade Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, OSRAM d.o.o., Belgrade,Serbia
ENERGETSKA REHABILITACIJA FASADA I BEZBEDNOST OD POŽARA, Mirjana Laban, Fakultet tehničkih nauka, Novi Sad, Srbija
BIOGAS-REGULATIVE, STRATEGIJE I UPOTREBA U EU I REGIONU, Jelena Velimirović, Univerzitet ”Union Nikola Tesla”, Fakultet za ekologiju i zaštitu životne sredine
ALTERNATIVNI IZVORI ENERGIJE KAO OSNOVA ZAŠTITE ŽIVOTNE SREDINE, Milica Bulatović, Fakultet političkih nauka, Beograd
Obnovljivi izvori energije, Dejan Doljak, Geografski fakultet Beograd
ARHUSKA KONVENCIJA – ZAKONSKA REGULATIVA ČIJOM PRIMENOM SE U TOKU INVESTICIONE REALIZACIJE U RUDARSTVU DOBIJA KVALITETNA PROJEKTNA DOKUMENTACIJA, Nenad Nikolić, Nataša Đereg, Mioljub Stanković, Jovica Veljučić – Kerčulj, NVO „Lokalna Agenda 21 za Kostolac – OPŠTINA“;Centar za ekologiju i održivi razvoj – CEKOR“, Subotica; . Privredno društvo ”Termoelektrane – Kopovi Kostolac“ Kostolac d.o.o
STAVOVI I ZNANJA UČENIKA SREDNJIH ŠKOLA O EFEKTU STAKLENE BAŠTE, Nataša Bukumirić, Vesna M. Alivojvodić, Šimon A. Đarmati, Beogradska politehnika, Beograd
Gde smo bili, gde smo sada i kuda idemo?, Aleksandar Savić, Dragan Knežević, TS Rade Koncar Beograd
Poučavanje ekologije u školama u Hrvatskoj, Zrinka Sablić, Klara Lisec, Veleučilište VERN’, Zagreb
POTREBA ZA UVOĐENJEM PERMANENTNOG EKOLOŠKOG OBRAZOVANJA NA PRIMERU SREDNJIH STRUČNIH ŠKOLA, Marija Đurković, Elektrotehnička škola ”Nikola Tesla” Beograd
Strukovne studije zaštite životne sredine – stanje i potrebe, Darja Žarković, Olivera Jovanović, Koviljka Banjević, Saša Marković, Visoka škola strukovnih studija Beogradska politehnika, Beograd
UTICAJ KLIMATSKIH PROMJENA, ADAPTACIJA I RANJIVOST, Ljiljana Crnogorac
Klima Severoistočne Bosne, Senada Nezirović, Evropski Univerzitet Brčko Distrikt
Hajde da sprečimo +6 zajedno, Brankica Luković, Prvoslav Jovanović, Ljiljana Plećević, Milun Miljković, Jelena Đurđević, Visoka tehnološka škola strukovnih studija, Aranđelovac
Poučavanje ekologije u vrtićima u Hrvatskoj , Zrinka Sablić, Klara Lisec, Zvonimir Grgas, Zrinka Sablić, Veleučilište VERN’, Zagreb
Moralni i vaspitni elementi individualnosti, kao filozofija života i shvatanja prioriteta unapređenja društvene svesti o zaštiti životne sredine, Slobodan Petrović, Fakultet za pravo, javnu upravu i bezbednost Megatrend univerzitet
17:00 Zatvaranje konferencije / Conference closing |
19 focus areas recommended for further consideration at upcoming intergovernmental negotiations on SDGs
19 focus areas recommended for further consideration at upcoming intergovernmental negotiations on Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs (which will start on March 3, 2014).
19 focus areas are:
- Poverty eradication
- Food security and nutrition
- Health and population dynamics
- Education
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Water and sanitation
- Energy
- Economic Growth
- Industrialization
- Infrastructure
- Employment and decent work for all
- Promoting equality
- Sustainable cities and human settlements
- Sustainable Consumption and Production
- Climate
- Marine resources, oceans and seas
- Ecosystems and biodiversity
- Means of implementation
- Peaceful and non-violent societies, capable institutions
EASD / ENV.net Team reading of European Parliament Resolution, January 2014
EASD / ENV.net Team reading of EP Resolution (European Parliament resolution on the 2013 progress report on Serbia 2013/2880 RSP) with focus on ENV.net related issues :
- the role of civil society organisations, i
- environment and climate change.
CSOs – Calls on Serbia to engage civil society through a constructive consultative mechanism during the entire accession process since it has a major role to play as a critical observer of the continued implementation of European reforms, while ensuring that dialogue and good neighbourly relations with Serbia’s neighbours take firm root within society; stresses the central role of active and independent civil society organisations (CSOs) and civil society’s role as a watchdog; underlines the importance of dialogue with CSOs and stresses the crucial role of civil society actors in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation on social and political issues; welcomes the government’s improved cooperation with NGOs, but calls for their broader consultation in policy making, including the formulation of policies and legislation and the monitoring of the authorities’ activities; calls on the Serbian Government to work increasingly with European institutions in order to ensure better access to European funds made available to civil society organisations, with a view to supporting their work as essential actors in Serbia’s European integration process; insists that state institutions must act in a transparent and accountable manner; urges the Serbian authorities to consult civil society and the business community and to include them in working groups on the drafting of new legislation.
Environment and Climate change– Considers it regrettable that too little progress has been made in the areas of the environment and climate change and calls on the Serbian authorities to adopt a comprehensive climate strategy in line with EU targets as quickly as possible; urges the authorities to step up reform efforts in the area of sustainable management of natural resources.
Regrets the lack of progress and continuing delays in the practical implementation of the renewable energy framework; notes that Serbia lags behind other applicant countries in the utilisation of renewable energy sources and expresses concern that Serbia’s 2020 renewable energy targets will not be met; emphasises the need for transparency in government consultation processes and regrets the Serbian authorities’ failure to take account of the views of international financial institutions in the adoption of the Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA); Urges the Serbian authorities to improve consumer protection policies, in particular with regard to general food safety principles and the establishment of a national reference laboratory; considers it regrettable that the law on genetically modified organisms has not yet been aligned with EU legislation; Supports the Belgrade city authorities’ campaign for Belgrade as European Capital of Culture 2020, and encourages related projects aimed at bringing Belgrade and Serbia culturally closer to the EU, in particular with regard to interethnic coexistence, multicultural understanding and interreligious dialogue.
Serbia and EU Emissions Trading System
Environmental Ambassadors representatives attended the presentation of the Twinning project „Creation of a monitoring, reporting and verification system for the successful implementation of the EU Emissions Trading System“ held in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia on November 13, 2013.
In addition, we would like to to underline UN climate talks in Warsaw side event: Opportunities and Challenges for Climate Action in Western Balkans and Turkey, held on November 11 in Warsaw.
Marshall Memorial Fellow working visit to EASD
On October 22, 2013, Mijo Vodopic as a Marshall Memorial Fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, an American non-partisan, non-profit organization that works on strengthening transatlantic cooperation on regional, national, and global challenges and opportunities in the spirit of the Marshall Plan, visit Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development office in Belgrade. Currently, Mijo Vodopic is a program officer at the MacArthur Foundation, a US-based philanthropy. His portfolio includes scaling energy efficiency across the built environment, with a particular emphasis on low-income residences, urban sustainability and mitigating climate change.
Working meeting was focused on exchange experience, primarily related to renewable resources—solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, biomass, as well as other environmental and sustainability issues. EASD Team is always learning from international experience, towards new possible partnerships and cooperation.
“Little progress” in Chapter 27 issues in 2013, according to EC
Serbian first priority is accession to EU.
EC Delegation in Serbia, present to relevant CSOs, on October 18, 2013 , Serbia Progress Report 2013, in which the Commission services present their assessment of what Serbia as the candidate country has achieved over the last year. Presentation on 2013 Reports’ economic chapters is followed by discussion by CSOs representatives, including the NGOs as the one of category of CSOs. Environmental Chapter have great attention in discussion part of the meeting.
Related to Chapter 27, overall EC conclusions is “little progress”.
Although there are a lot of challenges ( EU Enlargement Factsheets – Energy, Climate Change and Environment ), EC conclusion is in some relevant segments different that ENV.net Study (ENV.net-Study-Extended-Summary-June-2013 ).
ENV.net Serbia Team prepared document: Reading of 2013 Progress Report for Serbia and Strategy by ENV.net Serbia Team ( Serbia 2013 Progress Report and Strategy – Reading by ENV.net Serbia Team ). Resulting key words are : Group 1 : civil society organizations, empowered civil society, Dialogue between decision makers and stakeholders , Public awareness, public participation and consultation process; Group 2: sustainable growth, synergies between environment and economy, emissions to air /air quality , waste management , environmental governance , climate change, protected areas, water management, chemicals management, environmental impact assessment, integral pollution and prevention control (industrial emissions); Group 3: implementation of adopted legislation, Intra- and inter-institutional cooperation, proper functioning of the core institutions, coordination of sectoral policies; Group 4: the skills gap, education and training.
Some background information for SERBIA: candidate – applied in 2009, obtained candidate status in March 2012. The EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was launched in March 2011. The First agreement of principles governing normalisation of relations was reached with Kosovo in April 2013. The momentum of reforms has also been reinvigorated in Serbia. The European Council decided in June 2013 to open accession negotiations. The first Intergovernmental Conference on Serbia’s accession negotiations will be held in January 2014 at the very latest, after the Council adopts the negotiating framework, which was proposed by the Commission in July 2013. In the meantime, the ‘screening’ began in September 2013. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) entered into force on 1 September. – see more
Eye on EU approximation environmental challenges
Different events organised to raise awareness to EU approximation environmental challenges.
International Fair Eko-Svet was held from 2.6. october 2013. in Novi Sad where different innovations and new technologies were presented. Also, numerous interesting presentations on environmental issues were organized as an important part of this Fair.
10th International Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Fair – ECOFAIR is held from 9-12. October 2013. in Belgrade. Aside from participation of major national and international companies and institutions which are active in the field of environmental protection, there is also very rich professional and scientific program. For example, Regional Conference on Environmental Reporting – precondition for investment and sustainable business was held in the organization of Camber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
ENV.net Team awareness on climate change have media attention.
EASD selected by GEF Secretariat for ECW Eastern Europe meeting in Sarajevo, September 2013, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
EASD representative participated on GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) for the constituencies of Eastern Europe (Sarajevo September 5-6, 2013).
GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) for the constituencies of Eastern Europe comprising the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. The GEF Eastern Europe Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) is a component of the GEF Country Support Programme. The ECW will bring together GEF focal points, focal points from the main Conventions (Biodiversity, Desertification, Climate Change and POPs), representatives from civil society and representatives from GEF agencies. The purpose of the meeting is to keep these stakeholders abreast of GEF strategies, policies and procedures and to encourage coordination. There will be an opportunity to interact with staff from the GEF Secretariat and the GEF Agencies to discuss priority issues and share lessons and experiences from the development and implementation of GEF projects and their integration within national policy frameworks. The ECW is an opportunity to discuss priority issues and share lessons and experiences from the development and implementation of GEF projects and their integration within national policy frameworks.
Documents and more details related to Meeting at organizers web site.
ENV.net snapshot analysis: While waiting for EC 2013 Progress Report
ENV.net snapshot analysis
Legislation: In terms of the degree of compliance with the EU environmental acquis, intense legislative activity of the Ministry in charge of Environment and other institutions with responsibility in this area has led to a significant level of transposition of the relevant EU regulations. According to the Progress Monitoring Report for the year of 2012, the majority of EU directives relating to the so-called horizontal issues, nature protection, management of chemicals and noise are completely or almost completely transposed into national legislation. In other areas (air quality, waste management, water protection and industrial pollution control) the bulk of EU legislation has largely been transposed into national legislation. With regard to the obligations of the Republic of Serbia as a non-Annex 1 country in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the complexity and cost of implementation of these regulations, the compliance with the acquis in the climate package has just started. National Environmental Approximation Strategy, with the assumption that the Serbia will be a member of the EU by 2019, provides for the achievement of full transposition of most of the acquis by the end of 2014.
Administrative and institutional capacity: The existing administrative capacity, especially at the local level are assessed as insufficient for adequate implementation. Given the complexity of the environmental acquis, and the fact that the jurisdiction of the EU is divided between a numbers of institutions in this area, there is a strong need to further strengthen inter-agency cooperation and coordination.
Environmental infrastructure: Given the state of the infrastructure, as well as the experience of the new EU member states in this process, the Strategy estimates that full implementation of EU regulations will be completed by 2030, and that the total cost of full implementation of EU legislation in the field of environment will be around 10.6 billion euros.
Financial investments: Given the institutional complexity and multidisciplinary nature of the field of environment, full transposition of the acquis may require a longer time frame, especially in the case of directives that require large financial investments (heavy investment directives).
Year 2013: The activities in the sector stagnated in 2013, and it is to be seen how it will be reported in the 2013 Progress Report, as well as to see the further “speed” to implement commitments in environmental sector.
EASD participated in the process towards Progress report for 2013 (2013-Progress-Report-EASD-contribution).
Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE)
Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) is a network of passionate young people educating for sustainable development by producing, engaging, creative, environmental journalism. Coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
Aged between 11 and 21, young reporters investigate and highlight environmental issues and problems, wherever possible proposing solutions, via articles, photographs and videos.
The young reporters must: 1.Investigate a local environmental issue, 2.Submit an article, photographs, or video, 3. Share that work with a local audience
From 2019/20 project is not active in Serbia…..More information at https://www.yre.global/
…..we do have more information in Serbian.
Some selected information:
October 2018: YRE competition: apply before February 1, 2019.; Theme: Energy Efficiency
2018. Join us for June 5th: Conference Agenda is available
May 2017: Winners of the YRE 2017 national competition announced ; Draft Agenda for Environment to Europe EnE17 Conference (Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development), June 5, 2017, Belgrade
September 2016: Education for Sustainability
June 2016 – YRE Serbia have one 1st place – International Jury meeting for the 2016 ; WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe”
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National FEE Committee Meeting, September 6, 2013
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Environment and Climate Forum – ECRAN
ECRAN (Environment and Climate Regional Accession Network), financed by EU and managed by the European Commission, assists the beneficiaries in exchange of information and experience related to preparation for accession.
EASD is member organisation in the project ECRAN (ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE REGIONAL ACCESSION NETWORK) – ASSISTS THE BENEFICIARIES ON THEIR WAY TOWARDS THE TRANSPOSITION AND IMPLEMENTATION THE EU ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE POLICIES AND INSTRUMENTS AS A KEY PRECONDITION FOR EU ACCESSION.
Within the ECRAN project, it is the component ECF.
The overall objective of the Environment and Climate Forum (ECF) is to strengthen the role of public participation in the approximation and accession process. In doing so, the ECF provides wide ranging opportunities for the civil society and its active involvement in the approximation process, assist in capacity development of the NGO sector and provide opportunities for improving the stakeholders dialogue. In doing so, there are four main activities to be implemented within the frame of the project.
Activities could be followed on the ECRAN web site.
2013 Consultative Meeting on Environment and Climate Change – EPD preparation
The Delegation of the EU to Serbia organized, together with the DG Environment colleagues, a consultative meeting with the NGO representatives on 7th March 2013, in EU Delegation premises in Belgrade. The purpose of the meeting is preparation for the Enhanced Dialogue on Environment and Climate Change. Ms Madalina IVANICA, DG Environment, Mr Dimitrios ZEVGOLIS, DG Climate Action and Mr Rainer FREUND, Delegation of the EU to Serbia, lead the meeting.
Among the invited CSOs participants, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development representatives at the meeting were: Andjelka Mihajlov (who was Thematic Expert in Environment Forum Project http://www.envforum.eu ) and Dragana Grujicic. Within the context of the CSOs role in supporting environmental and climate change EU accession, A. Mihajlov informed on potentials of ENV.net project (See http://www.tacso.org/doc/130110_information-sheet-ENV.NET-project_REVISED.pdf for more information).
Participation at UNEP Global Major Groups and Stakeholder Forum, Global Ministerial Environment Forum and High-Level Gender Forum
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development participated at the “Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14)”, and “The First Universal Session of the Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC-27/GMEF),” Nairobi, 16-22 February 2013. Ministers meeting for the first time under universal membership of 193 member states- again as a result of the decisions taken and adopted last year at Rio+20 and the UN General Assembly later in the year- adopted a welter of other decisions relating to the way UNEP will operate and work as the global platform for environmental policy-making and action over the coming years and decades. Governments called for the transformation of the existing Governing Council into a UN Environment Assembly of UNEP and to build stronger links between UNEP’s science-based Global Environment Outlook process and its ministerial meetings – further implementing the call by member states at Rio + 20to strengthen the science-policy interface.
Among the wealth of other decisions taken at the first Universal Membership of the UNEP Governing Council were: 1. A UNEP-led consortium will host and coordinate the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) which will be the implementing arm of the Technology Mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 2. The CTCN will work on leap-frogging the technical and financial hurdles to the even greater take-up of clean and renewable energies to low carbon tranportation and energy efficient buildings, 3. Full operationalization of a decade-long initiative to decouple economic growth from unsustainable use of natural resources and pollution generation-the 10 Year Framework of Programmes for Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP for SCP), 4. The UNEP-hosted initiative will assist countries in areas from sustainable public procurement, lifestyles and education to sustainable buildings and construction and sustainable tourism, including ecotourism – again bringing from outcome to implementation other key aspects of the Rio+20 Future We Want, 5. Governments also decided to convene in October this year an intergovernmental diplomatic conference to formally adopt the Minamata Convention on Mercury that was agreed in January in Geneva under a UNEP-facilitated negotiation-again a further implementation of the Rio+20 outcome document.
Over 1300 participants from 147 countries, including 80 ministers, representatives of UN agencies, international organizations, academia, NGOs, business and industry, and women and youth organizations attended the first Universal Session of the GC following the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen and upgrade UNEP, as called for in the Rio+20 outcome document. Delegates adopted 13 decisions, on inter alia:
– the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);
– coordination across the UN system, including the Environment Management Group (EMG);
– oceans;
– sustainable consumption and production;
– the green economy in the context of sustainable development;
– advancing justice, governance and law;
– state of the environment; and
– chemicals and wastes.
The GC adopted a decision on institutional arrangements that, inter alia, invites the UN General Assembly to rename UNEP’s governing body “UN Environment Assembly,” and provides that the body “will ensure” the active participation of all relevant stakeholders and explore new mechanisms to promote transparency and effective engagement of civil society in its work and that of its subsidiary bodies, inter alia, by: developing by 2014 a process for stakeholder accreditation and participation that builds on the existing rules of procedure and takes into account the inclusive modalities of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and other relevant UN bodies.
The day before the Governing Council got underway, the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for the Environment (NWMLE) and UNEP hosted the second High-Level Gender Forum. Prof Andjelka Mihajlov participates, by invitation to “Gender Forum” as a member of the “Network of Environmental Women Ministers and Leaders”, as the former Minister for Protection of Natural Resources and Environment. The forum participants called upon ministers and environmental leaders to have dedicated officials for coordination of related gender and environment programmes and agreed to send a consolidated proposal on gender actions to be forwarded for consideration by UN Secretary General’s High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post 2015 Development Agenda. The women ministers also requested nations to support the ratification of the Minamata convention on Mercury, which opens for signing in October.
More about meetings at www.unep.org . Moments from EASD participation are in Galleries of pictures. These activities are foreseen as the important international cooperation activities.
Prior to this, organisation participate at Rio+20 Conference.