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Nikola Pejović, Umka Cardboard Mill General Manager

Sustainability and Quality as Foundations of Trust

The Umka Cardboard Mill boasts a rich tradition dating all the way back to 1939, when it was first established to produce paper and...

Miodrag Kostić Endowment

Palace of Science Welcomes Visitors

Thanks to Miodrag Kostić’s gift to the Serbian society that’s worth over 25 million euros, an area of 5,500m² in one of Belgrade’s most...

dm drogerie

CSR Marks Milestone Year for dm

Retail chain dm drogerie markt, a leader in corporate social responsibility in Serbia, concluded its anniversary year with numerous humanitarian activities and monetary and...

Kathrine Decorzant, general manager, JTI Adriatica

Benchmark for Success

JTI represents one of the largest Japanese investments in Serbia and the country’s leading tobacco company, which has been recognised as a Top Employer...

Aleksandar Momčilović, sales and service manager at Daikin Serbia (Heating & Cooling expert)

Trust Built on Expertise

Daikin has introduced many global “firsts” and patented technologies that have become indispensable in modern air conditioners and heat pumps ~ says Diakin Serbia’s...

Danijela Božanić, climatologist/climate change expert

Why We’re Vulnerable

Serbia is more exposed to climate change than other countries and lacks sufficient capacity to adapt to altered climatic conditions, which is why it sustains damage and losses that are much worse than those experienced by countries that carefully approach this problem

A ccording to the 2023 Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, average global temperatures in the 2011-2020 period were up 1.1°C compared to the period from 1850 to 1900. This rise corresponds to an average temperature increase of 0.90°C in Europe compared to the levels from 1961 to 1990.

Meteorological measurements for Serbia show that, compared to the 1961-1990 period, this temperature increased by more than 1.4°C in the 2001-2020 period (1.8°C from 2011 to 2020). In other words, the territory of Serbia is warming faster than the global and European average, which can lead us to conclude that the country is more exposed to climate change.

Alongside exposure, vulnerability also depends on sensitivity (the level of losses and damage) and the capacity to transform to handle altered climatic conditions (adaptation). Extreme weather events caused by climate change during the 1980-2021 period led to losses of 560 billion euros in EU member states. Minimal damage and losses sustained in Serbia in the period from 2000 to 2020 totalled a value of approximately seven billion euros. A simple calculation leads to the conclusion that losses and damage in Serbia are much greater than those sustained in the EU and that they are growing over time.

Such a ratio between losses and damage in Serbia and the EU provides an indirect indication of Serbia’s lack of capacity for adaptation. This is also confirmed by some global analyses and indices that position Serbia as the hardest hit country in Europe, ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania when taking into account systemic readiness, or the economic, social and political readiness to adapt in a timely manner.

Every dollar invested in adapting to altered climatic conditions brings a total economic benefit of between two and 10 dollars

Serbia, thus, is not in an enviable position in both cases. More specifically, it is among the worst hit countries with the least systematic readiness to adapt in Europe. Setting aside assessments of capacity and political readiness – though I believe they are interdependent and also determine the level of investment and financing – the fact is that Serbia does not have the required funds designated for adaptation. It isn’t even known that detailed sector-specific assessments of the needs exist, despite it having been shown that every dollar invested in adapting to altered climatic conditions brings a total economic benefit of between two and 10 dollars.

An effective and systematic approach to adaptation could be ensured by the adopting and implementing of the National Adaptation Plan of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the determining of specific measures and actions at the level of subnational regions and local governments. It is essential to integrate expected future changes to the climate into sectoral and local policies and measures, which currently isn’t the case. Securing the full implementation of the Law on Climate Change, in the section related to monitoring and reporting on adaptation, would also ensure the strengthening of capacities and the raising of public awareness. It is essential to work systemically with the population on improving their understanding – both of the need to respond to changes that we are all aware of, and of the multiple benefits brought by those responses.

Early announcements and advanced warnings represent a significant “measure” when it comes to reducing the risks caused by extreme weather events. Viewed globally, there are various methods of providing early announcements and advanced warnings that are based on detailed analyses that’s distinctive to specific countries.

Comment by Zoran Panović

The Absurdity of Reality

Amid the unfolding upheaval surrounding Trump’s return to the White House, mass Student-led protests have erupted in Serbia. The trigger was a tragedy at...

Florian Bieber, Professor for Southeast European History and Politics at the University of Graz and director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies

Autocratic Regimes Spark Mass Protests

Protests in Slovakia, Georgia and Serbia stem from different causes, but reflect broader political frustration and often inspire one another There have been large protest...

Vladan Marjanović, journalist of weekly news magazine Radar

Violence Threatens from Above and Below

With Trump’s return to the White House, the world has entered a period in which the power of state repression, based on the violating...

Slobodan G. Markovich, Faculty of Political Science of the University of Belgrade

The Mutiny of Zoomers and the Belgrade Student Protests

Gen Z in the West and Serbia seeks security and respect, expecting institutions – and not politicians – to deliver. Using likes, dislikes and...

IWC Opens Call for Proposals for Women Empowerment Projects in Serbia

Following the success of its 2024 Charity Bazaar, which raised over 4 million RSD, the International Women’s Club of...

Neoplanta Celebrates New Life with Generous Gesture

In a touching display of community spirit, Neoplanta, a renowned food company based in Novi Sad, once again marked...

The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

The Hermitage Days in Serbia represent a unique international cultural project that will take place from February 19 to...

AgroBelgrade 2025 – A Hub for Innovation and Trade in Agriculture and Horticulture

Over 500 exhibitors will converge at the three-day AgroBelgrade 2025, bringing together the best of Eastern Europe’s fruit, vegetable,...

Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

The best Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals after an incredibly thrilling...

The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

The Hermitage Days in Serbia represent a unique international cultural project that will take place from February 19 to...

Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

The best Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals after an incredibly thrilling...

UK Surges to Second in Global Investment Rankings, Offering Hope Amid Economic Uncertainty

In a remarkable shift, the UK has surged to second place in global investment rankings, overtaking Germany, China, and...

Orban Visits Belgrade: Hungary and Serbia Aim for Affordable Energy for All

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emphasized the joint goal of Hungary and Serbia to make energy accessible to citizens...

Nigeria Joins BRICS as a Partner Country

Nigeria has been admitted to BRICS as a partner country, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. Brazil currently...

The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

The Hermitage Days in Serbia represent a unique international cultural project that will take place from February 19 to...

Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

The best Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals after an incredibly thrilling...

UK Surges to Second in Global Investment Rankings, Offering Hope Amid Economic Uncertainty

In a remarkable shift, the UK has surged to second place in global investment rankings, overtaking Germany, China, and...

Orban Visits Belgrade: Hungary and Serbia Aim for Affordable Energy for All

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emphasized the joint goal of Hungary and Serbia to make energy accessible to citizens...

Nigeria Joins BRICS as a Partner Country

Nigeria has been admitted to BRICS as a partner country, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. Brazil currently...
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