25. September 2011.

Constitutive session of Designated National Authority (DNA) held

9/25/2011 Country takes significant step towards clean development projects The first constitutive session of newly established Designated National Authority (DNA) was held today in Banja Luka. Srebrenka Golić, RS Minister of Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology, Branka Đurić, Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism, Igor Jevtić, representative of Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of B-H and Siniša Jovanović, representative of Department of Spatial Planning of District Brčko signed the DNA’s Rules of Procedures which define the framework for operations of this body and represent the final step of Bosnia - Herzegovina towards applying for new clean development projects.

The DNA establishment was initiated three years ago and was finalized with significant support of UNDP through the MDGF Environment and Climate Change Programme, which provided technical assistance and expertise crucial for successful finalization of this process. Bosnia - Herzegovina has now fulfilled all preconditions to participate in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) aiming at the reduction of greenhouse gases in the developing countries by attracting foreign investments towards sustainable development goals. The CDM was established under the Kyoto Protocol which Bosnia - Herzegovina signed in 2008.

Bosnia - Herzegovina has a great potential for CDM projects in particular in the areas of renewable energy sources, improvements in energy efficiency and use of natural resources in sustainable way. Currently, there are number of projects that are prepared and waiting for approval by B-H DNA Executive Board. Particularly, there are projects related to renewable energy and energy efficiency in total amount of more than 350 million Euros with estimated GHG reduction of 2.5 m CO2 over the next seven years. This shows that Bosnia - Herzegovina is a very interesting for foreign investments in the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

UNDP will continue to support B-H in its process of transition to Green Economy, economy which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. In a green economy, growth in income and employment should be driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. To date UNDP through MDG-F Environment and Climate Change Programme provided assistance for creation of the DNA bodies on state, entity and Brčko District level, creation of the evaluation criteria for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects and Rules of Procedures for DNA Executive Board. During October 2011, UNDP will organize final training for national experts which will be responsible for evaluation of the CDM projects.