Green Serbia 2021

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

GREEN SERBIA 2021

SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ARE CORE VALUES OF OUR BUSINESS

Transparency in everyday work and communication, respect for the individual, local community and society, passion for quality and corporate social responsibility are the core values of HEINEKEN Serbia.

HEINEKEN is the most international beer producer worldwide and has a leading role in the development and marketing of premium beer brands and ciders. HEINEKEN Serbia is a producer of beer and cider in Serbia which actively operates in two breweries. While the brewery in Zajecar is proud of its long lasting tradition and expertise in beer production that lasts for more than 125 years, the brewery in Novi Sad is one of the most technologically advanced breweries in the region.

HEINEKEN Serbia has been entitled the recognition of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, which is yearly awarded to the companies which have been recognized for their work and engagement and which achieved good business results and success on the Serbian market.

Zajecar beer is the holder of the right to the Čuvarkuća trademark, as a confirmation of the quality and domestic origin of the product, within the project by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce “Created in Serbia”, which is aimed at supporting domestic products and producers.

The Global Strategy “Brewing a Better World” places sustainability as a core imperative and an integral part of the entire business and it focuses on six key areas.

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TOGETHER FOR MEALS SERBIA 2021 Proudly nurturing theGREEN tradition of philanthropy, the company HEINEKEN Serbia, through Zajecarsko brand and in cooperation with Food Bank, launched “Together for meals” campaign.

With strong consumers’ support, 100,000 free meals were provided for the most vulnerable residents of Serbia. A great contribution to this campaign was made by all employees of the company who additionally collected basic food necessities and donated them together to the Food Bank for those who needed it the most.

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Through every activity and business step, HEINEKEN Serbia strives to draw attention to all the consumers and the general public about the importance of responsible consumption and the harmfulness of excessive alcohol use and always points out that beer, if consumed in moderation, may be a part of a balanced lifestyle.

EVERY DROP MATTERS Water is a vital natural resource and essential in the process of beer production. HEINEKEN Serbia undertakes a number of activities every year in order to reduce the consumption of water and aims at preserving water resources and balanced water use.

DROP THE C In 2018, HEINEKEN launched a global strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, through the Drop the C project, with a focus on energy efficiency and the use of electricity and heat energy from renewable sources throughout the whole value chain - from production and distribution to packaging and refrigeration.

100% of the fridges that HEINEKEN places on the market are green and have a very high level of energy efficiency, all with the aim of further reducing CO2.

Ide uz deo kruga o CO2 SOURCING SUSTAINABLY HEINEKEN Serbia supplies about 90% of its raw materials for production from local suppliers in Serbia. In addition to stimulating the development of the local economy and improving the practice of local sourcing of raw materials, the company has a significant role in the economic and social development of the domestic community and economy. All suppliers of the company have signed the Code of Business Conduct, confirming that they operate in accordance with the highest standards, respecting human rights and the environment.

„ZAJEČARSKO” BUILDS CRAFT CENTER OF THE SOUTH SERBIA HEINEKEN Serbia recognizes the importance of preserving the old Serbian heritage and for all craftsmen from the south of Serbia and all those who preserve customs of the old crafts, Zajecarsko raises funds in a humanitarian campaign to provide space for their work, education and presentations of their deeds. In order to preserve and revive the cultural heritage of this region, all consumers of Zajecarsko beer, by buying specially designed returnable bottles of Zajecarsko, are supporting to build a Crafts Center in Nis this summer that will include workshops for education and requalification of craftsmen.

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GREEN SERBIA 2021

COMMENT

How Green

IS OUR GRASS? It is said that the “grass is always greener on the other side”. However, by joining the Green Agenda and taking steps to fight climate change, Serbia is looking to create its own greener, safer and more sustainable future

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t was back in November 2020 that Serbia and its neighbouring countries signed the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

And by so doing they agreed to commit themselves to adhere to the numerous principles contained in the European Green Deal.

Carbon pricing instruments and market-based support schemes for renewables are just two of the instruments to look out for. Yet the most important issue, from the perspective of the citizenry and environmentalists, is that the region agreed to phase out coal subsidies and gradually become carbon neutral.

The signing in Sofia also meant that the Western Balkan region endorsed (at the time) the EU’s draft Climate Law. In that respect, creating a greener future means walking step by step with the EU towards a better climate policy and reformed energy and transport sectors, which are currently among the worst polluters.

Indeed, this terrain is dynamic. Minister of Environmental Protection in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Irena Vujović, welcomed the signing of the Declaration on

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the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, which was signed by Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, confirming that the Green Agenda will be among her priorities.

Among those priorities for this year are important investments in establishing wastewater treatment plants in all major cities, with the help and support of international institutions and funds, improving people’s

will have a positive impact on the health of citizens and economic development.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection believes that this new legal framework will lead to strengthening the society’s resilience against the negative effects of climate change, especially in the sectors of water management, forestry and agriculture. The law regulates the country’s planned adaptation to climate

The Green Agenda translates into innovation, green energy and job creation, but also confirms that Serbia is firmly on the European path quality of life by establishing a solid waste disposal system, as well as strengthening the fight against air pollution.

Serbia also recently adopted its own Law on Climate Change, thereby joining other countries in the global fight for a sustainable environment. By the same token, adopting this law also confirmed the state’s responsibility towards its citizens. The Law provides the basis for the establishment of a system for limiting greenhouse gas emissions, which

change and the establishment of mechanisms for reporting to the international community, i.e. the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in the context of its Paris Agreement.

The Ministry is also obliged to prepare a low-carbon development strategy, in cooperation with other institutions, thus bringing the country closer to the standards and requirements of the European market, as well as membership in the European Union.

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GREEN SERBIA 2021

INTERVIEW

IRENA VUJOVIĆ, SERBIAN MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Significant Investments In

A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT

We have at our disposal a budget of 8.3 billion dinars, which is a clear indicator that this will be a year of investment in environmental protection. But that's not all - Serbia is strongly committed to basing its future economic growth and development on innovation, green energy and the creation of green jobs.

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lthough we were awaited by problems dating back decades and the general concern of the public regarding pollution, we didn’t sweep those problems under the carpet, but rather got to work to start solving them immediately, as soon as I took the helm of the ministry.

We began by identifying three priority areas - air pollution, the proper treatment of wastewater and solving the problem of illegal dumps. This year we’re planning to invest significant funds in projects related to those areas, and I expect that, once they are implemented, the ecological picture of Serbia will be much healthier - says Environmental Protection Minister Irena Vujović in this interview for CorD Magazine.

Caring the environment is, as she notes, is an obligation of her ministry, but also an obligation of society as a whole, and a positive result cannot be lacking if every actor contributes.

You’ve said that this year will be marked by major investments.

What first steps have you taken in that regard?

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The first steps have already been taken in each of the aforementioned areas and we are now moving forward. When it comes to air pollution, we’ve allocated funds to subsidise electric or hybrid vehicles, and secured 400 million dinars for local government projects aimed at improving air quality.

We plan to build wastewater treatment plants on the territories covered by 28 local governments, with an accompanying sewerage network. The first steps have already been taken in terms of project design, while financing has been secured through the line of credit provided by the Council of Europe Development Bank, amounting to a total of 200 million euros.

We’ve also called on cities and municipalities to map the illegal dumps located on their territories, in order for us to help in their remediation. And what is particularly important, and represents a more enduring solution to this problem, are the regional centres where waste would be treated according to European standards. Plans include the building of eight such

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PRIORITIES

STANDARDS

FINANCING

Combating air pollution, the proper treatment of wastewater and solving the problem of illegal dumps are currently the Ministry's three most important priorities

It is our common objective to move closer to European standards with every year, when it comes to issues of decarbonisation, energy transition and green energy

We are negotiating with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on investment to build eight regional centres that would treat waste according to European standards

regional centres, and we are negotiating for 100 million euros to invest in these projects with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

When one takes into account that the Ministry I head has a budget for this year that amounts to 8.3 billion dinars, it is clear that this will be the year of investment in environmental protection. But that doesn’t mean we’ll stop there. We’re also planning new projects aimed at achieving the same goal, and that goal is a healthy environment.

Citizens are increasingly highlighting the problem of huge air pollution in Serbia. What is the Ministry’s response; what can be done in the short term and what are your long-term plans?

We must solve the problem of air pollution together, through measures to mitigate the situation that will contribute to solving it. Reducing air pollution is something I insisted on from the moment I took over the ministry.

I’m proud of my team, which responded quickly, and under the shortest possible deadlines we announced competitions for cities and municipalities to replace heating boilers and household fires, and to implement afforestation projects. I expect the effects of this investment to be visible by the next heating season.

Competitions for replacement heating boilers and household fires were announced for the first time, and through those two public calls we made 300 million dinars available to lo-

cal self-governments. We have also secured another 100 million dinars for afforestation.

The local governments that reacted quickly and prepared projects are worthy of all praise.

The contracts have already been signed, and it is now up to them to launch implementation.

In the next period, We also plan to announce competitions for eco parks in the period ahead, and I expect local governments to react with equal speed and responsibility, and for this competition to be successful.

This is our swift response to

most important projects in this area?

Forests are our natural wealth, the main producers of oxygen and oases of beauty. We are cofinancing afforestation projects together with 38 local governments in Serbia, in a total amount of 100 million dinars. What makes me particularly happy is the fact that significant funds will go to projects on the territory of Vojvodina, which is in dire need of greening projects. I believe this precise way is fitting for cities and municipalities, with the support of the state, to plant forests or

We will support cities and municipalities in replacing heating boilers and household fires, as well as in implementing afforestation projects. I expect air pollution to be reduced by as soon as the next heating season the problem of pollution, which is always more intense during the heating season, because fuel oil and coal are mostly used as fuel for heating in our country. Viewed over the long term, it is necessary to increasingly introduce gas and other “cleaner” sources of energy, but also to renew the technology installed in heating plants. When it comes to reducing pollution from road and public traffic, it is necessary to increase the extent to which vehicles that are in line with the latest European norms are represented, but also the number of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Serbia doesn’t have enough forests. What are the Ministry’s

conduct the greening of public areas on their territory, by forming parks and greening schoolyards, children’s playgrounds and the like.

I would remind readers that the International Day of Forests was marked worldwide on 21st March and provided an excellent opportunity to remind ourselves how necessary it is to strengthen society’s awareness of their importance and for each of us, as individuals, to contribute to the conservation of nature. The Ministry that I head is dedicated completely to that.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Mining and Energy agreed to

form a joint working group that will contribute to closer and more operational cooperation on current projects, but also on the defining of common goals for attaining EU standards in the domain of environmental protection. What does that mean in practical terms?

The Ministry of Environmental Protection overlaps with other ministries in numerous areas, and we have particularly close common challenges and goals with the Ministry of Mining and Energy. The development of energy sources and the preservation of the environment are inextricably linked, and it is our common objective to move closer to European standards with every year, when it comes to issues of decarbonisation, energy transition and green energy. That’s why the formation of this working group is a solution that is expected to establish a constructive dialogue and a targeted approach to solving our shared problems.

I would also add that, with the adopting of the Law on Climate Change, we have created good foundations to prepare an integrated plan for energy and climate.

Statistics of the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia from 1951 until the end of 2019 show that 13 of the 15 warmest years in Serbia have been recorded since the year 2000, and it seems that the year ahead will again be among the warmest. How is Serbia coping the consequences of climate change?

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that will make society more resilient against altered climatic conditions over the long run.

The adoption of the Law on Climate Change provides us with an excellent starting point to – for the first time as a society – systemically, systematically and with joint force fight the challenges of climate change in continuity Scientists believe that ever more common extreme weather conditions – such as heavy rains, flooding, droughts, a lack of snow in winter, ever more frequent heat waves and cold snaps, and wildfires – are actually consequences of climate change. Some analyses show that climate change is becoming increasingly evident in Serbia and is endangering the health, but also the earnings, of the population.

In the period since 2000,Serbia has sustained damage related to climate change that exceeds seven billion euros. In the fight 8

against climate change, we are all important actors, whether that’s citizens themselves, the economy, institutions, the nongovernmental sector and the academic community.

The first significant step was taken with the recent adoption of the umbrella Law on Climate Change. The adoption of this law provides us with an excellent starting point – for the first time as a society – to systemically, systematically and with joint force fight the challenges of climate change in continuity. This law prescribes a series of measures

The Law on Climate Change should contribute to establishing a system for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. What are the main benefits of this law?

It is certain that Serbia is strongly determined to base its future economic growth and development on innovation, green energy and the creation of new, green jobs. The law is an important link in that sense. It will contribute to the establishing of a system for limiting greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time increasing the resilience of the entire society against the negative effects of climate change, especially sectors such as health, water management, forestry and agriculture.

The law will also provide a good base for the planned adaptation of all relevant sectors to a changed climate, and will establish reporting mechanisms with which will fulfil our obligations towards the international community, i.e. the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement.

What is very important is that the application of the Law will have a positive impact on economic growth and development, the increased competitiveness of our economy, attracting investments, especially in accordance with the standards and requirements of the European Union market.

How would you rate the implementation of climate agreements and activities that Serbia is included in, and to what extent is Serbia succeeding in fulfilling its obligations under the Paris Agreement?

Serbia has been a member of the Paris Agreement since mid2017, and the goal is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas to a level that will contribute to limiting global temperature rises to below 2°C. And ideally up to 1.5°C. According to scientists, that is the limit of safety, and climate change will become easier for us to adapt to if it is achieved.

The signatory countries, including Serbia, are obliged to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 2030. It was in 2015 that Serbia submitted its goal of reducing GHG emissions by 9.8% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2030. The Law on Climate Change envisages the development of strategy documents, the implementation of which will help us achieve the established goals.

Considering everything that’s already been done, Serbia is today on the right track to fulfilling its obligations under the Paris Agreement.

How challenging is it to implement projects under the conditions of a pandemic and has that influenced the dynamics of their implementation?

The pandemic is a challenge for every sector and impacts all of our lives. It is up to us to do everything we can under the given circumstances, to respect the measures, to get vaccinated, when the state has even allowed us to choose the vaccine manufacturer we want. And, of course, for us to keep working despite the virus, because that’s the only way to move forward. After only four months at the helm of the Ministry, I’m proud to be able to say that our projects did not suffer because of the virus, nor did other initiatives that are aimed at leaving an ecologically cleaner Serbia for our citizens and our children.

GREEN SERBIA 2021

GIZ

BUSINESS

The Digital Approach To Preserving

THE ENVIRONMENT

Fighting climate change and preserving the environment for future generations is one of the greatest challenges confronting humanity. Scientists worldwide are working around the clock to find solutions that will give people a chance for a safer future. However, given that environmental sustainability is an extremely complex goal, achieving it requires the involvement of the wider community and cooperation between different actors, such as the private, public, and civil sectors design, all with the aim of transitioning to a circular economy.

Changes have been noticed on the market over the past 12 months, with consumers having started to change their habits and become increasingly aware of the impact that companies have on the environment. The Smart Can Collection System project primarily strives to raise citizens’ awareness of environmental protection through a socially responsible

Today, in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Serbia has gained a completely new, digital approach to recycling through an innovative software solution. With further digitalisation, the emergence of new business models is expected, assisted by artificial intelligence and shaped by the need for a new, ecological design, all with the aim of transitioning to a circular economy campaign, stimulating them to contribute to a better future with their actions, while at the same time setting an example of corporate social responsibility.

For the first time, smart can collection systems have brought a smart system for packaging waste recycling to our market, with game elements and data analysis of recycled material integrated into the loyalty programme of a supermarket in the region, which was fully developed by a domestic company – the startup Solagro. This start-up has thus shown that

Photo: GIZ/Miodrag Bogdanović

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n example of such cooperation is the project Smart Urban Can Collection System, which represents a joint venture of companies Solagro, Mercator-S and Ball Packaging Europe, within a development partnership programme with the private sector develoPPP.de, supported by the German Development Cooperation, implemented by GIZ through the Open Regional Fund for Southeast Europe - Modernisation of Municipal Services.

Recognising inadequate waste management as one of the factors contributing to environmental pollution, as well as the great potential of the recycling of aluminium cans as an excellent model for the circular economy, these companies have teamed up to encourage consumers to recycle, using innovative digital solutions. Additionally, citizens who recycle cans using smart devices will have the opportunity to get discounts at IDEA stores through the Solagro.app application, while the most successful recyclers can expect numerous valuable rewards. Now four smart presses for recycling cans at IDEA stores have been installed on the territory of Belgrade, while it is planned to install these devices at 10 other locations within the scope of the project. The project envisages the development of a portal for presenting data, as well as the development of a business model.

Today, in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Serbia has gained a completely new, digital approach to recycling through an innovative software solution. With further digitalisation, the emergence of new business models is expected, assisted by artificial intelligence and shaped by the need for a new, ecological

young innovative companies in Serbia not only keep up with new technologies and trends in the field of recycling, but also set them themselves.

Aluminium cans are 100% recyclable and represent the most sustainable type of packaging.

They can be recycled indefinitely without loss of quality, so the process of recycling them is a closed circle and brings great savings, while at the same time reducing environmental pollution significantly. Recycling cans reduces the consumption of natural resources, as well as the amount of waste dumped in landfills.

As a society, we have shown great readiness to accept new and bold ideas and initiatives, often led by companies that selflessly invest their significant resources, time and knowledge.

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GREEN SERBIA 2021

INTERVIEW

ALEKSANDRA IMŠIRAGIĆ, ASSISTANT MINISTER, MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Good Environmental Governance

REQUIRES TEAMWORK Ensuring good governance in the domain of environmental protection is our common concern and responsibility that requires the participation of various actors and stakeholders. Numerous “ecological problems” mostly arise from ourselves – from our way of life, consumer priorities in the industrial world and a natural balance that's disrupted under the influence of various activities that we are most commonly not even aware of initially. By using nature and its resources, man is constantly changing and influencing that nature, sometimes to the point of degradation, so the biosphere that we inherit and the technosphere, which is a product of many activities, often find themselves in conflict.

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aking care of the environment implies teamwork.

Even small changes that can come about through the individual actions of each of us, as well as our joint future steps, can contribute to changing the general state of affairs and cause a shift in environmental protection. With high-quality cross-sector cooperation, as well as cooperation with citizens, aimed at implementing activities necessary to improve the current situation and implement tangible measures to reduce pollution in the environment, as well as raising environmental awareness, we can contribute together to creating a better future and a better quality of life for the citizens of Serbia, but also for the entire region of the Western Balkans.

In the domain of environmental protection, a multidisciplinary and scientific approach to problems and continuous cooperation are required, as well as exchanges of opinions and experience on modalities and the

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confronting of challenges, with consideration given to examples of domestic and international best practice, which can certainly contribute to improving the quality of the environment.

Cities and municipalities can be an invaluable resource in terms of perspectives and the need for potential development and capacity building in environmental protection. The development of expert services for environmental protection at the local level would contribute to even better communication and the defining of crucial problems, as well as contributing to improving the implementation of environmental projects and more quickly resolving environmental problems at the local level.

By recognising the need to cooperate closely with units of local self-government in solving environmental problems, the Ministry of Environmental Protection formed – as the first step in the development of that cooperation – the first ever Department for Cooperation

GREEN SERBIA 2021

with Local Communities, within the Sector for Environmental Governance. With this step we demonstrated that our priorities are teamwork, good cooperation, constant and open communication directed towards the local level and citizens in understanding the problems and finding a route to solving environmental problems. It is thus essential, in the coming period, to work with commitment, as a team and in synchronisation, at both the national and local levels, on capacity building and establishing the necessary conditions, with the aim of implementing tangible measures for improving the state of the environment.

UBSIDIES LEADING TO S CLEANER AIR The start of this year saw the Ministry of Environmental Protection launch the first activities in the form of concrete measures for reducing air pollution, which were set as a high priority. A public competition was announced for the allocation of funds for co-financing the implementation of projects to reduce air pollution in Serbia originating from individual sources, as well as a public competition for cofinancing the implementation of projects for the procurement, replacement, reconstruction and rehabilitation of heating boilers in 2021. This enables heating plants and other public institutions, as well as households, to switch from the use of coal and fuel oil to more environmentally friendly energy sources. Funds for co-financing the project to reduce pollution from individual sources were allocated to 10 local self-government units, amounting to a combined total of approximately 100 million dinars, while funds for co-financing the

With the aim of increasing afforestation on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry has allocated approximately 100 million dinars for units of local self-government to co-finance the procurement of seedlings and implement works on the afforestation of land with indigenous species of trees and shrubs, with these projects to be implemented in 38 Serbian municipalities and cities implementation of projects for the procurement, replacement, reconstruction and rehabilitation of heating boilers in 2021 were allocated to 24 cities and municipalities, amounting to a combined total of approximately 200 million dinars.

Among the measures aimed at improving air quality is afforestation. With the aim of increasing afforestation on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry has allocated approximately 100 million dinars for units of local self-government to co-finance the procurement of seedlings and implement works

on the afforestation of land with indigenous species of trees and shrubs, with these projects to be implemented in 38 Serbian municipalities and cities.

Given the fact that only sustainable systems and the greater representation of vehicles with alternative propulsion systems can reduce pollution from the transport sector, the Ministry of Environmental Protection subsidises purchases of new vehicles with electric motors and vehicles with hybrid drives.

These subsidies are granted to both private individuals and registered entities. Considering

that traffic in urban areas has a significant impact on air pollution, it is necessary to motivate citizens to switch to more environmentally friendly modes of transport, which the Government of Serbia is helping to ensure by subsidising the purchase of lower emission vehicles.

Among the ministry’s continuous activities in the domain of air protection is the issuing of approvals for Air Quality Plans and short-term action plans, as well as the initiating of local self-government units to also develop, adopt and implement these plans at the local level. The Ministry insists, in particular, that local self-governments be included in everything that the ministry does with the aim of improving air quality, as well as applying provisions of the laws that are under their jurisdiction.

A draft National Air Protection Programme with an action plan will be prepared by the end of this year and will define goals for improving air quality, as well as measures for achieving those goals, providing the basis for the further development and adoption of by-laws and the continued implementation of European legislation in the area of environmental protection.

The drafting of the National Air Protection Programme with its associated action plan is among the activities being implemented intensively within the project “EU for a better environment – development of a framework for harmonisation with EU legislation in the fields of air, chemicals and horizontal issues” IPA 2014, which represents one form of good cooperation and support, or the continuation of EU institutions’ technical assistance to the Republic of Serbia in the European integration process.

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GREEN SERBIA 2021

INTERVIEW

MAJA ŽIVKOVIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER, STEEL IMPEX LTD

Waste Is A Valuable

COMMODITY Steel Impex is a leader in the region when it comes to waste management, and at the same time the only recycling centre in Serbia that deals with the storage and treatment of various wastes.

Steel Impex has 450 suppliers and treats them with a lot of respect and care endless source of goods that are being traded daily - from deepsea cargos to small local companies. Its existence on the stock market defines its impact on the world economy.

How far have you progressed on the implementation of your latest investment, which relates to the purchase, installing and obtaining of permits for waste rubber/tyres?

We are known as a company that invests constantly in recycling centres, new machines… Our tire recycling facility is now

We can proudly say that we did not close any job positions, but instead, we opened new ones and hired more people to work full time

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aja Živković, General Manager, said that 2020 results show that their decisions were good. She is pleased to announce that Steel Impex is currently developing and investing in their 3rd recycling facility and collection point in the industrial zone in Belgrade You realised two decades ago that waste can be a valuable commodity, and you treat it as such. What does waste mean for the Serbian state, but also for us, as citizens?

Although waste is a commodity for us, it is a sum of everything from old to new, 12

from surplus to remains, from people or companies. Currently, waste for Serbia is a project in development, but still not fully using its potential. Promotion of primary sorting in households, implementation of knowledge about environment protection has to happen simultaneously with green investments and environmental solutions for existing issues. With the aim to reach the full potential of our knowledge and investments, our laws, regulations and rule books must be synchronised with EU laws. We must not forget about the socioeconomic aspect of recycling. Waste is an

completely operational. We did have some setbacks, due to the pandemic of Covid-19, related to delivery and commissioning delays. By reusing ferrous fractions from the treatment in our ferrous division, an additional value is brought for us. We are satisfied that our projected investment has proven to be a success – as we’re able to close the loop by creating the final product from the waste.

Is it easier to handle the competition on our market, where the rules of the game aren’t completely clear, or on the European market, where some of the world’s largest companies dealing with waste collection and processing operations?

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It’s more challenging to compete in big markets as there are more strict rules, regulations, paperwork, and internal rules to be presented and followed, which are not mandatory in Serbia. Also, it’s definitely easier to operate in markets where rules are clear and there are no grey zones. Put simply, when rules are followed possibilities for mistakes are minimal.

With the absence of steady local demand and secure payments, we are mostly exportorientated. We have vast supplies of waste, but unfortunately not enough local buyers.

Otherwise it would be most economical to sell locally without paying the cost of transpor,t as it accounts for 10 – 15% of the value. Because of this, we are encouraging all local buyers to be more open towards local suppliers, to more closely cooperate with them, listen to their needs and always follow global market prices.

As a member of the biggest recycling and environmental bodies, such as EURIC (European Recycling Industries Confederation - Brussels), ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries- Washington), BIR (Bureau of International RecyclingBrussels), NALED (National Alliance for Local Economic Development - Belgrade), we are attending workshops, webinars, and annual conferences. This is enabling us to stay informed, follow the newest changes in the sector, and to push ourselves to be more competent in this market.

It is important for every business to have a good network of partners and suppliers, but in your business it’s almost crucially decisive. Is it thanks to them that you operate excellently throughout Serbia, the Balkans and the EU? Our company, Steel Impex, has 450 suppliers. We treat our suppliers with equal respect, and by doing this we ‘ve made sure that during our growth they have also grown. Even though our internal rules are overly strict for this market, our supplier network is not decreasing, on the contrary, it is constantly expanding. Our suppliers know that by cooperating with us their business is safe. We have a reputation as a prompt and steady payer, a fair market competitor, and there is a big fleet of trucks

at their disposal.

Serbia is a great country with huge potential for waste management – based on a good geographical position in the European continent. Although Republic of Serbia is an inland country, it’s extremely well connected with land, air, and river. Considering all these advantages, we ourselves are promoting and open-handedly welcoming new companies in our industry. By following our vision, we are inviting more companies to our sector to strengthen our industry and the economy.

Small strong companies are the ones that are building up the whole economy.

The Republic of Serbia is a great country with huge potential for waste management, based on a good geographical position in the European continent The global pandemic has on the one hand, reduced the amount of waste available, while, on the other hand, demand for recycled materials has also fallen. How did it impact on your work? Have you fully

adapted to doing business under these altered circumstances?

Just like the rest of the world, we have also been affected by the pandemic - in something completely unknown. Our business didn’t stop, but it certainly had some setbacks. In the beginning, when there was a curfew, it was logistically quite challenging to organize all the daily operations, including collections, loadings, and deliveries. From our side, we did our best to protect our workers and to make a safe environment for work. We can proudly say that we did not close any job positions, but instead, we opened new ones and hired

more people to work full time. Our 2020 results show us that our decisions were good.

As previously mentioned, we have completed an investment in the tyre recycling line in Kraljevo. Additionally, we’ve expanded our Novi Sad operation by adding a facility of 7,000 m² in which we invested 750,000 euros by purchasing new Lefort 600t scrap shear, handling equipment and additions to the fleet. Lastly, and very gratefully, we are pleased to announce that we are currently developing and investing in our 3rd recycling facility and collection point in the industrial zone in Belgrade.

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OAK TREE 14

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GREEN SERBIA 2021

INTERVIEW

JASMINA JOVIĆ, ASSISTANT MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR NATURE PROTECTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

What The Law On

CLIMATE CHANGE BRINGS US The last five years were the warmest since records began in Europe, according to EU data.

Climate change, embodied through heat waves, droughts and fires, is being witnessed by all of us, and its impact - on health, the environment and security – is not negligible. shown scientifically that it is necessary to limit the growth of the global average temperature to less than 2°C by the end of the century, compared to the level prior to the industrial revolution, while continuous global action is also necessary in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). According to the analyses, if GHG emissions were to be stopped completely, their effect on climate change would still exist, and would last for decades.

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rom the aspect of climate change, Serbia belongs to one of the world’s hardest hit regions. Climate change is primarily characterised in our country by rising temperatures, but also changes in precipitation patterns, in terms of annual distribution and intensity, as well as increasingly frequent extreme temperature events and periods of extreme climatic conditions. The growth tendency of the average annual temperature in Serbia is higher than that of the average 16

global temperature, which has been particularly noticeable in the period after 1980.

The ten warmest years since meteorological records began in Serbia have all come after 2000. Analyses show that we can expect the further breaking of temperature and precipitation records in the future.

For ethical and economic reasons, in order to secure further economic growth and insure the future of the planet, it is essential to limit temperature rises at the global level. It has been

THE GREATEST GLOBAL CHALLENGE Combating climate change is currently the greatest global challenge, and every country is obliged to give its maximum to solve this problem. The leading organisation in this area is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. However, the Convention may define the goal, but it doesn’t define the ways of achieving that goal. The Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015, defined obligations for all of the Convention’s member states regarding, among other things, reductions in GHG emissions for the 2020-2030 period. These obligations are based primarily on so-called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, which Member States regularly submit to the Convention.

Unfortunately, it has been established that even if all of the goals set to date were implemented, that still wouldn’t be enough to limit the global temperature rise to the level of the scientifically defined maximum of 2°C compared

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to the pre-industrial revolution level.

Testifying to the importance of joint action in the fight against climate change is the fact that the Paris Agreement was adopted through the consensus of as many as 195 countries.

This is a rare example in any area during the recent history of the world. The Conference of the States Parties to the Convention and Agreement should be held at the end of this year, when the most important decisions will be made, and Serbia has been assigned a great role and has the honour of being the meeting’s co-chair.

ERBIA HAS ADOPTED CLIMATE S CHANGE LAW The EU is today among the leaders in the struggle against climate change and is endeavouring to become the first climate-neutral continent in the future. Serbia, on the other hand, has the obligatory task of harmonising its legislation with EU regulations. With the adopting of the Law on Climate Change, Serbia has primarily confirmed its responsibility towards its citizens and the international community.

However, perhaps even more importantly, it is supporting the development of our economic branches, which are sustaining major material damage. The total material damage caused by extreme climatic and weather conditions in Serbia since the year 2000 is estimated at around seven billion euros. And more than 70% of losses are linked to drought and high temperatures, while floods represented the other main cause of significant losses.

As a result of climate change, it can be expected that the agricultural sector alone will experience major losses if measures for adapting to altered climatic conditions are not applied, with yields of corn and wheat expected to be hardest hit by 2030.

The Law on Climate Change prescribes the development of a Programme for Adaptation to Changed Climatic Conditions, in order to identify their impact on sectors and systems and determine adaptation measures where necessary. In order for this programme to be significant to everyone, the Law stipulates that public policy documents in the worst effected sectors, as well as planning documents of the autonomous province and units of local self-government, must be prepared with consideration for the planned goals. The

deadline for adoption is two years from the law’s entry into force.

DEVELOPMENT CHANCE The adoption of the Law on Climate Change should primarily be viewed as a chance for development, green jobs and the emergence

investments. Reducing emissions will encourage modernisation and innovation in sectors that emit GHGs, such as energy, transport, industry, agriculture and waste management.

That’s why one of the goals of the Law is to establish a system and the basis for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The law calls for

With the adopting of the Law on Climate Change, Serbia has primarily confirmed its responsibility towards its citizens and the international community. However, perhaps even more importantly, it is supporting the development of our economic branches, which are sustaining major material damage of new companies. The struggle against climate change should include everyone – citizens, the economy, non-governmental organisations and the scientific community. This law makes it possible to unify all actors towards the common goal of the green and clean economic development of the country, while it offers the chance for us to leave behind a more beautiful Serbia than the one we found to the generations that are yet to come. The adoption of this law enables us, as a society as a whole, for the first time, systemically, systematically and jointly, to get to grips with many decades of challenges in the struggle against climate change.

That’s why it’s important for us to see the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as a chance for economic development, increasing competitiveness and attracting foreign

the preparing of a Strategy for Low Carbon Development with an accompanying action plan. This strategy will be prepared by the relevant Ministry, in cooperation with other competent ministries and relevant state institutions and bodies, in order to determine the strategic direction of action and public policies related to the limiting of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection is continuing to work on meeting obligations related to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, through the preparing of regular periodical reports, i.e. revisions of the Nationally Determined Contributions, the submission of which is expected to come before the Glasgow Conference (COP 26).

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INTERVIEW

BOJANA PERIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER OF EKOSTAR PAK

Can A Circular Economy Exist

WITHOUT PRIMARY SELECTION? We sought an answer to this question, but also the question of which direction it would be desirable for changes in our area to progress, from Bojana Perić, the general manager of Ekostar Pak, one of the leading operators in the system of managing packaging waste

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he primary objective is to replace the current “take – make – use – discard” system with a future model of the circular economy, in order for us to reduce the amount of waste dumped in landfill sites. In other words, when we talk about the integrating of economic interests and the system of waste management we are actually talking about the circular economy concept.

How does the system of managing packaging waste function on our market?

The system of packaging waste management in Serbia is based on the extended responsibility of the producer. It implies that the producer is responsible for a product’s entire life cycle, and thus also that prod18

uct’s packaging. They can take care of the packaging independently, within the legal framework, or transfer their obligation for the packaging placed on the market to an authorised operator in the system.

The System Operator takes on the obligation on behalf of companies that place packaging on the Serbian market, organising the collection, reuse and recycling of packaging waste. This ensures the fulfilment of the prescribed national goals. That goal increases every year. The general goal for this year is 62% of the total quantity of packaging. As such, it is an encouraging fact that 1,935 companies transferred their obligation to System Operators in 2019.

How are the results of the current system and where do you see the biggest challenges confronting the invigorating of the circular economy concept in the packaging waste management segment?

According to the latest report of the Environmental Protection Agency, system operators achieved a recovery rate of 61.9%, or a recycling rate of 59.2%, take care of 228,546 tons of packaging waste through their system. This result has been rated as very good in our area. Significant results have been achieved in the system employed to date, in terms of the collection of packaging waste that’s generated by industrial and commercial activities.

A segment where it is necessary to make significant steps to advance the system is primary selection, through cooperation with units of local self-government. We are witnesses to the existence of good projects for waste separation that we have launched.

However, the statistic showing that only 28% of municipal packaging waste has been included in the system indicates that

The best advancement comes when synergy exists between the economy and the state, and it is on this basis that I see a systemic solution as a common model between the System Operator and units of local self-government entrusted with the collection of municipal packaging waste we must take more decisive action, make more serious decisions and launch significant investments. We are often contacted by citizens who ask us where and how they can recycle their waste. Unfortunately, this question doesn’t have a simple answer today.

A strategic solution to this serious problem is expected to start primarily in larger cities, such as Belgrade and Novi Sad ...

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In your opinion, what might a solution leading to change in the current linear economy look like?

The best advancement comes when synergy exists between the economy and the state, and it is on this basis that I see a systemic solution as a common model between the System Operator and units of local selfgovernment entrusted with the collection of municipalpackagingwaste.SystemOperators are there to invest in the installing of adequate infrastructure when it comes to primary selection and secondary waste separation.

It is desirable for the support of units of local self-government to come through a system of collecting separated amounts of packaging waste and increasing the quantities that are recycled through joint work.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2019 report on waste management, a total of 2.35 million tons of municipal waste was generated. The percentage of packaging waste in total municipal waste is estimated at around 14-20%, which represents an average of 400,000 tons of waste or, to categorise it better, resources that we can use. On the other hand, informal collectors are responsible for the collecting of most secondary raw materials from households.

Between 35,000 and 50,000 people work as informal waste collectors. Under the model for building an efficient system for the primary collection of packaging waste, additional collecting and recycling jobs could be created, thus creating the possibility to integrate informal collectors into the formal collection system.

A large number of cities/municipalities in our country have their own dumps – landfill sites. These are mainly dumps that are envisaged for remediation and closure, in accordance with the Waste Management Strategy, because the capacity of existing landfills has been reached in most municipalities. Most of them fail to satisfy even the minimum technical standards.

A total of 2,305 illegal landfill sites have

redefined goals state that it is necessary to reuse or recycle 55% of municipal waste by 2025, 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035.

By the specified year, the total amount of municipal waste disposed of in landfill sites must be reduced to 10%, or less, of the total amount of generated municipal waste. On the basis of this, amendments to the legal framework are required, with the clear prescribing of obligations for

Just as extended responsibility provides the basis for a circular economy, so the introduction of the circular economy concept cannot be imagined without the establishing of sustainable primary selection also been recorded. Another worrying fact is that waste is often – in over 90% of cases – re-deposited in the same location following the cleaning of an illegal landfill site. These facts are serious indicators that we must focus on the development of primary selection as soon as possible.

I would also highlight the misinterpreting of the deposit system as representing an alternative to primary waste selection.

The deposit system implies an additional payment for packaging when buying drinks, with a refund paid when that packaging is returned to the point of sale of said packaging. I would like to emphasise that primary waste selection is the first essential step.

The deposit system represents a form of upgrading primary waste selection and only comes after the establishment of a serious primary selection system.

The package of directives for the circular economy was adopted in 2018. The

everyone in the chain of responsibility for the establishing of primary selection.

It is essential to the development of the circular economy concept to establish a sustainable system that will function in its entirety, which can only be done with the support of the relevant ministries.

I believe that the establishing of partnerships between the System Operator and units of local self-government would create a certain path to a circular economy. Just as extended responsibility provides the basis for a circular economy, so the introduction of the circular economy concept cannot be imagined without the establishing of sustainable primary selection. And that brings us back to the question from the beginning of this interview. To the best of my knowledge, there is no alternative to primary selection when it comes to the establishing of a sustainable system of packaging waste management.

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INTERVIEW

SANDRA DOKIĆ, ASSISTANT MINISTER AND HEAD OF THE CIRCULAR AND GREEN ECONOMY GROUP AT THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

EU Directives And

SERBIA'S ADAPTATION It was on 21st January 2020 that the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted its negotiating position for EU Accession Negotiation Chapter 27, which deals with the environment and climate change, together with 14 accompanying documents. And that document was officially submitted to the Council of the EU one week later.

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he documents supporting Serbia’s negotiating position represent specific plans for the implementation of EU directives in the fields of water and waste management and the area of industrial pollution. They also contain estimates of the costs accompanying the implementation of the directives, as well as a proposal for available additional sources of funding and a preliminary proposal for required transition periods.

Alongside specific plans for the implementation of directives, the negotiating position also contains a multi-annual investment and financial plan for the implementation of projects in the field of the environment. It additionally contains an action plan for the development of administration in the field of the environment, which determines administrative capacities at the national, provincial and local levels and highlights employment requirements in this area. It also contains an explanation for biogeographical regions and technical adaptations to the annexes of Directives on habitats and birds.

MONITORING PROGRESS On the basis of Serbia’s submitted negotiating position, the

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European Commission drafted the Common Position for Chapter 27, which it presented to European Union member states on 24th November 2020, within the scope of the COELA process.

Following the submission of the negotiating position, Negotiating Group 27 established a system to monitor the progress of transposing and implementing the regulations presented in the negotiating position. This enabled the identifying of the legislative acts that it is necessary to adopt in order for the transposition to be complete, and the current status of those acts. An action plan was also developed for the implementation of each regulation provided in the negotiating position, as well as a detailed explanation of their status and planned future steps.

ORK UNDERWAY ON AIR W PROTECTION PROGRAMME With the support of the IPA 2014 project, work is underway on the development of the Air Protection Programme with an associated action plan, the preparing of eight specific implementation plans (DSIPOV) for six directives and two regulations, five of which relate to the air protection sector, one

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to the INSPIRE directive and two specific implementation plans for regulations in the field of chemicals management. With the support of this project, the multi-year investment and financial plan will be upgraded in accordance with the new financial data from the planning documents under preparation.

Given that the COELA process has begun, Negotiating Group 27 is expected to prepare information in the coming period on questions to be submitted to them by the European Commission, which relate to the negotiating position for Chapter 27, but also an intensive period of transposing and implementing EU regulations.

NEW METHODOLOGY According to the EU’s new methodology, Chapter 27 will be classified in Cluster 4 – the Green Agenda and sustainable connectivity, together with Chapters 14, 15 and 21.

In anticipation of clear instructions on how the new methodology will influence the future process of negotiation in each of the chapters, and based on the recommendations provided in the European Commission’s Annual Progress Report, investment determinants in the Western Balkans economic and investment plan and the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, Chapter 27 will determine priority activities in the period ahead, in order for progress to be made within the framework of this negotiating chapter.

The Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans was adopted by the economies of the Western Balkans at the Sofia Summit of 10th November 2020.

Considering that the drafting of an action plan is expected in the period ahead, in order to enable the Regional Cooperation Council

and the European Commission to implement the Declaration, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has prepared an analysis of the goals contained in the Green Agenda, in order for Serbia to be fully prepared to contribute to that document in an adequate way.

OOPERATION WITH C DONORS Cooperating with donors on the process of harmonising standards in the environmental sector with those of Europe is very important and key to everything that has been achieved in the previous period, but also for the challenges that await us. Alongside the European Union, as one of the key donors, a significant role in this process is also played by the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, which has directed its assistance to the environmental sector through several projects.

Two of these are crucial and provide the basis and foundation for the negotiation process and the application of defined measures to meet specific requirements and standards in the advancing of environmental protection.

The project “Preparations for negotiations in the process of the accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union, in the field of environmental protection 3” (Environment Accession Project 3; ENVAP 3), which is being financed by the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, responds to the challenges confronting Serbia’s EU accession in the domain of environmental protection.The aim is to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry in the area of managing EU accession processes and to prepare effectively for, and participate in, EU accession negotiations under the framework of Chapter 27.

The second project that’s being financed the Swedish Government,

With the support of the IPA 2014 project, work is underway on the development of the Air Protection Programme with an associated action plan, the preparing of eight specific implementation plans (DSIPOV) for six directives and two regulations, five of which relate to the air protection sector, one to the INSPIRE directive and two specific implementation plans for regulations in the field of chemicals management “Environmental Infrastructure Support Programme, Phase 2” (EISP 2), aims to help and support the efforts of the Ministry in improving sub-sectoral policy, as well as its implementation via investment projects. The goal is to support the Ministry in developing the national policy, financial framework and its own capacities to manage and direct work on the list of priority projects and, of course, to do so in accordance with the national strategies and rules governing the use of EU funds. This

project also endeavours to define Chapter 27’s short-, medium- and long-term processes for financing and investing, which will result in the development of a list of priority projects. That list will be updated to represent the real situation on the ground and changes to national planning and negotiations.

Other projects funded by Sweden support the individual sectors assessed as being the most challenging, such as industrial pollution and issues related to the management of chemicals.

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INTERVIEW

KSENIJA KARIĆ, COUNTRY GENERAL MANAGER AT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC - WHEN IT COMES TO SUSTAINABILITY, WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK

The Digital Era

HAS ARRIVED “The digital age is here and it's time to use its full potential”. This is how our conversation for CorD began with Ksenija Karić, Country General Manager at Schneider Electric Serbia and Montenegro, which was declared the world's most sustainable company by Corporate Knights, in competition against more than 8,000 other companies. decisions that add value in real time. “These are actually ‘smart factories’ that represent the industry of the future. One such factory is ours in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, where 65% of processes are automated and which has implemented systems for facility manage-

Ksenija Karić emphasises that “sustainability is an imperative of today’s business,” pointing out the need to embrace new technologies that are fully aligned with this goal

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chneider Electric has saved 120 million tons of CO2 emissions over the past 15 years, while providing approximately 30 million people worldwide with access to energy. And the company doesn’t plan to stop there, because its operations, as Karić explains, “are dependent on the decision to become carbon neutral by 2025, to stop emitting carbon dioxide by 2030, and to reach a net-zero supply chain by 2050”.

She emphasises that “sustainability is an imperative of today’s business,” pointing out the need to embrace new technologies that are fully aligned with this goal. They enable plants and processes to be optimised for efficiency and savings, utilising predictive technology and easy-to-understand analytics to make smart 22

ment and maintenance using the technology of augmented reality,” explains Karić.

The pandemic has massively accelerated automation processes that bring significant savings, but awareness of the use of renewable energy sources has not yet reached the level required to have an impact on climate change and reduce the carbon footprint.

Electricity accounts for 20 per cent of energy consumed, and that trend will double over the next 20 years.

“The potential of solar panels or wind farms in the production of electricity is, unfortunately, not exploited sufficiently,” says Karić, explaining that instability exists in providing sufficient amounts of energy, in terms of a lack of wind to power turbines, but that it is possible to control and optimise consumption with the help of smart devices. “The goal is to increase production from renewable sources, but also to make savings and become more energy efficient by digitalising

operations. These savings in consumption are not theoretical – they are very measurable, the implementation of one of our EcoStruxure solution is paying off after just a few years”.

Karić sees the first step towards the desired transition in the electrification of buildings and the decarbonisation of cities. Cities today contribute almost 70% of global CO₂ emissions and consume 78% of the planet’s energy, while the combining of efficient, fully electrified and digitalised distribution networks, distributed generation, energy storage and electro-mobility will help improve the system’s overall efficiency.

Digital retrofitting is the process of connecting all energy-consuming devices in one building, enabling them to communicate with each other. This means that they can be controlled automatically or with the help of artificial intelligence, for example by turning off heating, air conditioning or lights when a space is not in use, monitoring temperatures in a building and alerting maintenance services when adjustments or repairs are required. Such a system can exist at the level of a single apartment or a large complex of buildings, and today it can also use wireless technology. “Once this is done”, notes Karić, “the user generates savings”.

We cannot solve climate change without transforming our cities and buildings. This is a challenge, but at the same time it is a promising area for innovation, explains Karić, before concluding: “If we really want to behave responsibly, we cannot limit our activities to their current effect and the current moment. We must consider what kind of environment we are leaving behind for future generations.”

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TIJANA KOPRIVICA, CHIEF BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, DELTA HOLDING

BUSINESS

Villages Are Becoming

GOOD PLACES TO LIVE Delta Holding has spent a full three decades setting world-class business standards, which imply protection for the environment, but also investing in local communities, and has won numerous awards for its huge contribution in the domain of sustainable development and for its CSR activities

Photo: Miodora Bozar

dealing with the management of packaging waste and consultants in the fields of the environment, chemicals and the transport of dangerous goods.

It performs these tasks for the members of Delta Holding, but also for external clients, and operates according to the principles of social responsibility and sustainable development, which are principles that it shares with its clients and business partners. Furthermore, in accordance with its mission, Delta Pak also implements a number of projects that aim to support the community in improving the area of the natural environment and raising environmental awareness.

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onsidering that Serbia is traditionally an agricultural country and that it has good conditions for cultivating fruits and vegetables and developing livestock and dairy cattle breeding, Delta is planning to extend its “Our Village”project.

Delta Holding’s business implies an emphasis on concern for the natural environment. Is this something you do in order to comply with binding legal norms?

Delta Holding has, for 30 years already, been introducing innovations to the market and setting world-class standards of doing business, which also imply protecting the environment.

We can state unequivocally that we respected environmental principles even before the adoption of legal provisions, and we always strive to ensure that our contribution to environmental protection exceeds legal norms.

Operating within the framework of Delta Holding is also the company Delta Pak. Can you tell us more about this enterprise?

Delta Pak provides services for operators

Your project “Naše selo” [Our Village] is unique not only in Serbia, but also further afield. What makes it specific, special and important?

We launched the “Our Village” project in 2018 with the goal of renewing villages in Serbia. The

We’ve renovated schools and improved social facilities and cultural contents in both of the villages near Zaječar that are included in the “Our Village” project project includes 40 farmsteads from two villages in the vicinity of Zaječar, for which we’ve devised a development plan and organised numerous professional lectures and visits to Delta Agrar’s farms and estates. We’ve also secured loans from Erste Bank for investment, on which Delta Agrar is paying interest, while support has also been provided to young parents, with the Delta Foundation providing a donation of 100,000 dinars for newborn children and Erste Bank opening savings accounts with an initial deposited amount of 250 euros. We’ve renovated schools and improved

social facilities and cultural contents in both villages. This project is very important because it has the long-term goal of elevating Serbian villages to the level of modern European villages and prompting the repatriation of inhabitants who’ve emigrated. That’s why we plan for the extension of the project to include more villages.

Do you think the development of agriculture and the renewal of villages could contribute to accelerating Serbia’s economic growth?

I’m certain that the development of agriculture and the renewal of villages would contribute to the faster development of our country. Serbia is traditionally an agricultural country and that it has goodconditionsforcultivatingfruitsandvegetables and developing livestock and dairy cattle breeding.

With the transferring of modern knowhow, we ensure that small producers achieve products of export quality and generate higher earnings for themselves and their families, which also benefits the residents of villages and the state of Serbia.

Delta Holding has received a large number of awards for its contributions in the area of sustainable development and for its CSR activities. Which of those awards make you particularly proud?

All the awards that we’ve won are important to us and represent great recognition for our contribution to the sustainable development of communities. Among the awards that are dearest to me are the three consecutive SAM [Serbian Association of Managers] awards for socially responsible company of the year, the Virtus Award for contributions at the national level, as well as the national award of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry for socially responsible operations.

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INTERVIEW

FILIP ABRAMOVIĆ, ASSISTANT MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF WASTE AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

Commited To Fulfilling

AMBITIOUS PLANS The Ministry of Environmental Protection has identified – in addition to air pollution – proper waste management and resolving the improvement of wastewater collection and treatment systems as priority areas and the biggest problems confronting the environment

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he systemic resolving of these issues is crucial for Serbia, as it represents an investment in the future of all of us and our environment.

Resolving these issues begins with the adopting and applying of the best legislative regulations and proven technological solutions, which is one of the basic jobs being dealt with by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Minister Irena Vujović has noted repeatedly that, since she took over the ministry, we have been committed to this work than ever before, both when it comes to waste management and wastewater treatment, but also when it comes to the wider area of protecting water from pollution generally.

EGIONAL WASTE R MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS When it comes to waste, one of the key directions in the proper management of waste is the establishment of modern regional systems for waste management in those parts of the country envisaged in the Strategy of Waste Management. The Ministry of Environmental Protection plays an active role in the implementation of this work – not only in the legislative domain, but also in the segment

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of implementation. We started this work by preparing all essential documentation for the constructing of regional waste management systems, which also implies securing a financial package for the actual construction of eight new regional centres that will, according to the plan, start being built in 2021.

These centres satisfy the highest national and international criteria in the field of waste management and environmental protection, and their use will bring an end to negative waste disposal practises, whilst ensuring the proper treatment of waste and its more widespread use as a resource.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection finances and assists units of local self-government in preparing projects for the remediation of old, unsanitary municipal and city dumps/landfill sites. We also support cities and municipalities when it comes to financing or co-financing works on the actual closure and remediation of landfill sites, where we should emphasise in particular dumps in Čačak, Kraljevo, Trstenik and Prijepolje. Work has already begun at these landfill sites, some of which are already at an advanced stage of preparations for closure and reclamation.

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RANSFER STATIONS AND T RECYCLING It is also important to mention the design and construction of transfer stations [or resource recovery centres] for local governments, in order to ensure the proper treatment of waste. Using such stations will enable local governments to bring an end to the dumping of waste at old, unsanitary dumps, because they will be able to adequately and economically justify the transporting of such waste to sanitary landfill facilities and new regional centres that treat waste in an appropriate way. Distinguishing themselves in that role in particular are, for example, the transfer stations in NovaVaroš, Knjaževac and Požega.

Viewed over the long term, the goal of the Ministry is for there to be modern waste treatment and recycling centres regionally, but also in every city and municipality, as well as developed systems for waste collection and separation for all citizens. The goal is to create such a system that ensures not a single gram of waste ends up dumped in the natural environment, rather that waste is treated in accordance with the highest world standards and reused.

Another major topics in Serbian is the management of hazardous waste. Representing one of the Ministry of Environmental Protection’s extremely important projects in 2021 is the removal of hazardous historical waste and hazardous waste dumped inadequately in the natural environment.

E’RE SOLVING W THE PROBLEM OF WASTEWATER The Ministry’s activities are also aimed, in the same way and with full focus, at resolving the problem of wastewater, by expanding the collection system

and building wastewater treatment plants.

The Ministry has also done great work on identifying and analysing the current situation and establishing priorities in the area of wastewater. We can state with pride that we’ve managed to prepare and financially support the preparation of complete project documentation for, or in coordination with, more than 30 units of local self-government, and then also to prepare for the implementation of these projects on the ground.

With the securing of a financing package from the Development Bank of the Council of Europe, the Ministry has also provided the necessary funds for the construction of treatment plants in the municipalities and cities where preparation works have been done, which are planned for construction in 2021. The construction of wastewater treatment plants will represent a revolutionary result in the domain of environmental protection. And this is especially so if we consider that our goal is not only to build plants for the existing network, but also to construct a parallel sewerage network. The objective is to bring sewage connections to every user in the cities and municipalities where these plants are being built, and for all wastewater to be treated.

LONG-TERM PLAN Our plans are ambitious, but we have no intention of stopping there. The design, preparation and construction of these systems will represent an enduring activity and long-term plan of the Ministry in the period ahead, and will remain so until the completion of the process of developing systems for collecting and treating wastewater in all cities and municipalities in Serbia.

The construction of wastewater treatment plants will represent a revolutionary result in the domain of environmental protection. And this is especially so if we consider that our goal is not only to build plants for the existing network, but also to construct a parallel sewerage network The activities mentioned herein represent a great challenge, because most of this infrastructure is being introduced to Serbia for the first time, and multidisciplinary factors, as well as many technical, legal and operational issues, exist for each of them. However, with an awareness of the importance of the work we do, both for the state

and society, but also for the health of our environment and all of us, we are ready to exert continuous efforts to conclude this great job as soon as possible. Our goal is to successfully implement the aforementioned plans as soon as possible, and to resolve all problems – as we’ve done to date – with maximum efficiency and professionalism.

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INTERVIEW

DEJAN FURJANOVIĆ, ASSISTANT MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SECTOR FOR SUPERVISION AND PREVENTATIVE ACTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Preventative Approach For More

EFFICIENT APPLICATION The prevention and control of environmental pollution, protection against pollution for natural resources, land and water, waste management and protection against chemical accidents at Seveso plants, analysis, risk management and preventative action, as well as adapting the work of environmental protection inspections at all levels in the Republic of Serbia to the requirements of the European Union, are just some of the tasks being dealt with by the Sector for Supervision and Preventative Action in the Environment

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hThe activities of inspections are not primarily aimed at punishing offenders, but rather also impy the educating of all stakeholders, especially companies, with the aim of preventing violations of regulations. During the last year alone, the Environmental Protection Inspectorate and the Fisheries Inspectorate acted preventatively and performed 55 preventive inspections. The educative and preventive approach taken during the first regular inspection controls of companies helps to achieve more efficient application of legal regulations. The entities under supervision are made particularly aware of the competencies of inspectorates regarding environmental protection at the municipal, city, provincial and national levels, as well as to their obligations related to the application of the provisions of current legal regulations. The preventative action of inspectorates is achieved partly through informing the public about the work inspections, by publishing the Inspection Oversight Plan

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and checklists from various areas of environmental protection and fisheries. Inspectorates also conduct official advisory visits, with the aim of implementing preventative measures and other activities aimed at encouraging and supporting the legality and safety of operations, as well as actions to prevent occurrences of harmful consequences for the environment.

Official advisory visits are conducted on the basis of requests from supervised entities to operators seeking certain clarifications regarding environmental protection and their obligations in this area. The role of the inspectorates, in accordance with the annual plan and at the request of enterprises, is to provide timely and detailed information to supervised companies regarding the application of provisions of the Law on the Protection of Nature and by-laws adopted on the basis of this law. Preventative inspections, as well as official advisory visits, are also performed with managers of protected areas and operators dealing with trade in protected plant and animal species, all with the aim of determining the legality of operations.

HE CHALLENGE OF T PRESERVING NATURE AND PROTECTED AREAS The COVID-19 pandemic led to a large number of citizens seeking their peace and “salvation from the virus” in the naturally beautiful and protected areas of the Republic of Serbia. The unconscionable behaviour of tourists in protected areas, as well as in fishing areas where it is possible to disturb natural flows, often leads to the endangering of the environment. Such situations represent a challenge to implementing obligations that

The unconscionable behaviour of tourists in protected areas, as well as in fishing areas where it is possible to disturb natural flows, often leads to the endangering of the environment arise from the legal regulations of the warden service of protected area managers, users of fisheries areas, but also the inspectorates for environmental protection and fisheries. Through the joint actions of all actors in the protection and preservation of nature and habitats of plant and animal species, the previous period has seen the preventing of possible broader negative consequences of the human presence in protected areas, which could have developed into a greater danger for both citizens and the economy. One danger is certainly the possibility of forest fires caused by the uncontrolled lighting of campfires on the territory of forest complexes, which can have unforeseeable ramifications for biodiversity. In that sense, we can cite good examples from the practise of preventative actions of the competent services aimed at protecting and improving natural resources

in the form of the organised and joint actions of inspection bodies and services. Representing an additional problem is municipal waste and refuse dump by tourists in protected areas after their visits and the “consumption of nature”. Although this may be a matter of personal upbringing and the culture of living, it is still necessary to raise the awareness of individuals in order for them to treat nature more responsibly.

This anomaly can boil down to a reasonable measure of preventative action, but also permanent education with a more rigorous penal policy. Competent institutions also have a legal obligation to monitor the state of nature, such as the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, which as a professional organisation that performs activities related to the conservation of nature in accordance with positive legal regulations. The activities of this Institute relate, in particular,

to monitoring the status and assessing levels of nature conservation and the level of threat posed to wild species and their habitats, ecological corridors, keeping records on methods and volumes of use, as well as factors that endanger protected and strictly protected wild species, in order to confirm and monitor the state of their populations.

It is important to continue comprehensive work and activities on raising the awareness of citizens and the responsibility of companies to preserve a healthy environment. That is an obligation of every individual and society as a whole, while the primary task of inspection bodies is to use a preventative approach, and then the application of punitive measures, to influence adherence to legal regulations, because it is only in this way that we can preserve nature and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.

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BY URSULA VON DER LEYEN, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND WERNER HOYER, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK/ PROJECT SYNDICATE

A Global

GREEN DEAL

By strengthening its emissions-reduction targets and investing heavily in clean energy, greentech, and research and development, the European Union has positioned itself as a global climate leader. It now must continue to lead by example while also doing more to help others achieve their climate ambitions

I

n Europe, we have heard the warnings about climate change. We know that if our industrial, energy, transportation, and food systems do not change, we could face a catastrophic temperature increase of more than 3°C this century.

As we approached the end of 2020 – Europe’s hottest year on record – we in the European Union made a collective decision to reduce our greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% from 1990 levels by 2030. The European Commission now is following through on this commitment with concrete policy changes, and the European Investment Bank is backing the effort with its financial power.

The current decade is a make-or-break moment for our planet. To confront the im30

mediate challenges that lie ahead, our two organizations have convening governments, international institutions, and investors on March 24, 2021, for a landmark event: “Investing in Climate Action.”

The event brought world leaders together to share their plans for implementing the necessary policies at home and ensuring international coordination. And it sought to help investors and business leaders to improve their understanding of the policy environment in which they will operate for at least the next decade.

Climate action requires far-reaching structural change and tremendous levels of investment around the world. In Europe alone, meeting the new 2030 emissions-reduction target will require an estimated €350 billion

($417 billion) of additional investment annually. However, this figure pales in comparison to the costs of doing nothing.

To tackle the investment challenge, the EIB, the world’s largest multilateral lender, has become the EU Climate Bank, aligning all of its activities with the objectives outlined in the Paris agreement. Among other things, the EIB has committed to supporting €1 trillion of investments in climate action and environmental sustainability in the next decade.

But funding alone won’t get us to where we need to go. We also need a roadmap, which is why the European Commission introduced the European Green Deal in December 2019. As Europe’s new growth strategy, it aims to transform the EU into a fairer, more prosperous society by guiding

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representing half of the world’s GHG emissions have adopted “net-zero” targets, and others will surely follow. They will all need European technology and investment to get there. Clean hydrogen, offshore renewable energy, and energy storage solutions all can become vibrant EU export sectors.

Finally, we need to embrace the idea of a “circular economy.” As matters stand, we are taking more out of our planet than it can afford to give us, and the effects of this overreach will become increasingly dramatic and destructive with each passing year. We

To keep the increase in global temperature as close to 1.5°C as possible, we must support decarbonization efforts beyond our borders. That is why we need a Global Green Deal

the transition to a more resource-efficient, competitive economy. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

The EU, however, represents less than 10% of global emissions, so European action alone will not be enough to slow global warming. To keep the increase in global temperature as close to 1.5°C as possible, we must support decarbonization efforts beyond our borders.

That is why we need a Global Green Deal.

To this end, we have set ourselves three investment priorities. First, we need to ensure that the most advanced clean technologies are embraced everywhere. Despite good progress on renewable-energy deployment, 40% of the world’s electricity is still generated by coal, the dirtiest energy source. With economic development comes higher demand for electricity, and thus a

responsibility to adopt greentech solutions and plug the world into clean grids.

Europe is ready to invest in everything from green electrification programs in Africa and industrial decarbonization projects in Asia to battery deployment in Latin America.

And we have climate-adaptation expertise to share, along with flood-control technologies, advanced weather forecasting tools, and resilient infrastructure. With both the financial means and the knowledge to support climate-adaptation efforts, the EIB will use its resources to leverage more privatesector investments in this critical area.

Our second priority is to invest in breakthrough green technologies like never before. Such research and development is both necessary and an enormous market opportunity. Already, a group of countries

must urgently reduce the environmental and carbon footprint of the goods we consume.

To do so, we need to invest in circular technologies that reuse resources, rather than constantly producing or importing new goods and extracting ever more raw materials. The circular economy has huge potential not only to reduce our dependency on scarce resources, but also to create jobs.

As Europe continues to show, the Green Deal is not just an environmental policy; it is an economic and geopolitical necessity.

Five years ago, 196 countries came together and signed the Paris agreement, committing to keep the average global temperature within 2°C – but preferably 1.5°C – of its pre-industrial level. So far, this commitment has yet to be matched by sufficient action. It is time to raise our ambitions and accelerate progress. That was our message to the world at “Investing in Climate Action” on March 24.

We all must come together – not just governments but also businesses, cities, financial institutions, and civil society – to confront the climate challenge. Europe has the tools, the skills, and the knowledge to lead by example. We must translate our climatepolicy leadership into market leadership to secure a Global Green Deal.

Let’s get to work.

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NEWS

Serbia Striding

TOWARDS THE EU Serbia allocates unacceptably low levels of funding for environmental protection, which is why it is lagging far behind the rest of the world. In the coming years, most money should be invested in establishing environmental standards in the areas of water management, landfill site maintenance and waste management, but also in finding solutions for polluted air.

Fortunately, socially responsible companies, international institutions and organisations, the nongovernmental sector, the governments of EU member states and others are coming to the rescue in areas that the state doesn't manage to reach.

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LAW ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADOPTED

Members of the Serbian National Assembly adopted the Law on Climate Change in mid-March, which Environmental Protection Minister Irena Vujović says represents the first step in a decisive fight against climate change.

“Climate change is a global problem that unites us all, and that’s why the Republic of Serbia is continuing to provide its contribution to this global struggle with the adopting of this umbrella law, while at the same time confirming its responsibility towards our citizens. When it comes to climate change, Serbia has shown that it is striding determinedly towards the European Union. One of the priorities of the Green Agenda is the adoption of a European climate law, and the European Commission has adopted a legislative proposal for this law. With the adopting of this law, Serbia confirms that it is on the road to Europe,” said Vujović.

ADDITIONAL CONTAINERS FOR GLASS PACKAGING

Following last December’s start of the arrival of 1,000 recycling containers for glass packaging in the region, the project “Management of Glass Packaging in the Western Balkans” has been expanded to encompass eight more municipalities. Alongside Sombor, Niš, Bihać, Novi Travnik, Shtip and Ilinden, these containers will also be distributed in Kragujevac, Varvarin, Konjic, Ilidža, Skopje, Bitola, Gevgelija and Tetovo.

Launched by GIZ - the German Organisation for International Cooperation, in cooperation with companies Sekopak, Pakomak and Ekopak, one of the main goals of this project is to increase the amount of glass packaging collected in these municipalities by 20% and achieve profitability in glass recycling. With the financial support of Apatin Brewery and German development cooperation, worth a total of 300,000 euros, Sekopak and NALED will allocate 300 recycling containers for Niš, 150 for Sombor and 120 for Kragujevac, while the citizens of Varvarin will have 30 such containers at their disposal.

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JUST SIX WATER INSPECTORS NATIONWIDE

Strengthening the capacity of inspections is essential, because there aren’t even local environmental protection inspectors in small communities, while the lack of national inspectors raises a question about the extent to which they can protect the health of citizens.

“This year we expect the hiring of 28 new national inspectors, because the problem of communal and industrial waters that are discharged without prior treatment and represent the main polluters of water surfaces is currently taken care of by a total of just six national inspectors across the entire country. And given that this increase still won’t resolve all the problems, competencies should be transferred from national to local inspectors, at least conditionally, in cities and municipalities where there are enough inspectors and funding for their work,” says Olivera Kikanović of the Network of Inspectors of Serbia (MINS). ŠABAC WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT REPRESENTS GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLE

Under the auspices of the reform campaign “Month of Water”, which was launched by the 3e Association and the Network of Inspectors of Serbia (MINS), together with NALED, representatives of the association visited the wastewater treatment plant in Šabac in order to familiarise themselves with the system’s working model and share examples of good practice with interested local governments.

The Šabac plant is actually an example of good practice that can also be applied in other cities and municipalities. It demonstrates how a local government can also help the local economy with its investments.

Instead of having to construct entire systems for the treatment of wastewater, companies from Šabac and the surrounding area can now merely install pre-treatments for wastewater, which reduces the costs of investment markedly.

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BELGRADERS TO PAY FOR TRANSPORT WITH PET PACKAGING

According to the tender to operate and maintain the system for charging tickets and managing vehicles in Belgrade’s public transport sector, which was announced by the City of Belgrade at the beginning of the year, the plan is to introduce a recycling machine that will enable users to receive discounts on public transport in exchange for waste deposited.

“We are launching a completely new system of recycling, or waste separation, in the city. We are creating 17 recycling yards and will install automated collection machines throughout the city, where citizens will be able to insert PET packaging. Instead of receiving money in return for that packaging, they will be able to press a card against the machine and receive money that they will be able to use for public transport services or some other discounts,” said Deputy Mayor of Belgrade Goran Vesić.

KONRAD ADENAUER FOUNDATION TO HELP SERBIA WITH GREEN AGENDA

Serbian Environmental Protection Minister Irena Vujović has held discussions with Norbert Beckmann- Dierkes, director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Serbia, on cooperation and joint action aimed at raising awareness of the number one topic in Europe : the European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

According to Minister Vujović, cooperation was agreed with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and is reflected in the provision of support on the implementation of key aspects of the Green Agenda and exchanges of experience and the knowhow of German experts in the fields of waste management, wastewater and air quality, as well as on the preparation of projects that will be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Konrad Adenauer foundation.

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