Working Together for Cleaner Air: Reducing Emissions in the Western Balkans
An in-depth assessment of air pollutant emissions and their potential mitigation across the six Western Balkan economies has been conducted by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), within the EU4Green project.
Using their advanced GAINS (Greenhouse gas – Air pollution Interactions and Synergies) model, IIASA helped estimate current and future emissions of air pollutants and explore potential mitigation strategies. This model has been a trusted tool for the European Commission and other international organizations in developing effective air quality and climate policies.
Collaborative Consultation Meetings
Together with the EU4Green team IIASA held six online consultation meetings, to compare the GAINS model’s emission estimates with the data reported by each country. The goal was to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data, considering various factors like fuel use, and existing pollution control measures.
Developing emission reduction commitments
With improved data, IIASA developed preliminary Emission Reduction Commitments (ERCs) for the pollutants SO2, NOx, PM2.5, NH3 and NMVOCs for each country. The approach taken is consistent with the one that the EU Commission had taken for the derivation of national emission reduction commitments for 2030 for EU Member States. The aim is to cut the number of premature deaths caused by air pollution in the region by 50% (compared to 2005) by 2030, aligning with the EU’s broader environmental goals.
The 50% reduction target is set for the West Balkan region as a whole and the GAINS optimization method identifies specific measures in each economy that together achieve the target in the most cost-effective way. Examples for these specific measures include: cleaner residential boilers, flue gas cleaning in industry and efficient application of mineral fertilizers. The results of the modelling exercise underline the importance of regional cooperation – the 50% reduction relative to 2005 is technically feasible for the Western Balkan region as a whole, a 50% reduction in premature deaths cannot be achieved in each economy individually.
By developing scientifically grounded ERCs and enhancing data quality, this initiative sets the ground for substantial improvements in air quality and public health.
Continued cooperation and data sharing will be crucial in achieving these ambitious targets and ensuring a greener future for the region.