Are we getting further away or getting closer to the EU? Are we taking a step forward, but two steps back when it comes to Chapter 27 - the area of environmental protection and climate change? Our country's progress in Chapter 27 was discussed at the presentation of the Shadow Report for Chapter 27: One step forward, two steps back, organized by the Coalition 27.

Although public and citizens' interest in environmental topics is increasing year after year, most still do not know how to participate in decision making processes regarding    the environment. On the other hand, a lack of knowledge and political will to improve the state of the environment leads to slowdowns or slight improvements in this area. Although the right to a healthy environment and information of its condition is guaranteed right – there is no responsibility. This results in excessive air pollution, endangering water resources, the spread of wild landfills, illegal forest logging, and many other problems. Why is that?

The air quality which we are breathing, the (non-)availability of clean drinking water, endangered natural habitats and species, the spread of wild landfills are the consequence of missed deadlines for implementation of EU legislation in Chapter 27. The conclusion is that Serbia is not approaching European standards while those standards are slowly but surely moving away. The Coalition 27 report looks at (non-)achieved progress and makes recommendations for air and water quality, nature protection, waste management and chemicals, noise and climate change, forestry, as well as horizontal legislation.

The state seems to be sending a clear message – not sufficiently committed to change to the detriment of all citizens. The public does not get all the information they need to actually participate in decision-making, making the processes non-transparent and often contrary to the needs of the public. Participation in decision-making is difficult for citizens and in some cases completely disabled. Experience in practice shows that proposals to amend important laws enter the assembly procedure without public discussion, and when the discussions exist, they are often held during public holidays.

The most common cause for weak or non-existent progress in the area of environmental protection cites a lack of expertise and capacity of institutions, while some of the existing laws in the area of environmental protection and climate change cannot be applied due to the lack of bylaws.

Progress in this area is expensive but necessary. Sustainable solutions that benefit each of us imply consistent implementation of the law and the inclusion of interested citizens who have the right to ask for solutions concerning them. Serbia is certain to have major investments in infrastructure projects in this sector. Likewise, it is clear that public administration capacities are weak at all levels, and such large projects require good governance and transparency in implementation.

As each progress change comes from smaller local communities, the innovation in this year's Shadow report is the Green Card section, which provides an overview of the implementation of environmental strategies and improvements at the local level. Green cards show us that none of the local governments in which the survey was conducted apply standards and regulations in the area of environmental protection.

The Shadow report, symbolically entitled one step forward, two steps back, covers the period from January 2021 to March 2022 and contains detailed recommendations for each area of Chapter 27. You can download the report HERE.

The event brought together representatives of institutions, but also the civil and academic sectors, and the speakers of the panel were representatives of the organization: Belgrade Open School, Environmental Engineers Group, Young Researchers of Serbia, and Alternative for Safer Chemicals and World Wide Fund for Nature.

Author of the photo: Belgrade Open School