Practical Guidance for Soil Pollution Management in the Western Balkans (WB6)
Oct 03, 2024
Copyright: AI generated
The “Guidance for Identification of Key Soil Polluting Activities and Contaminated Sites in WB6”provides detailed and actionable steps for managing soil contamination in the Western Balkans (WB6) economies. The guidance, tailored for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, offers region-specific insights, focusing on industrial, mining, and landfill activities known to contribute significantly to soil pollution.
Identifying Key Polluting Activities in WB6
The report outlines several high-risk sectors prevalent in WB6 economies, detailing the specific types of industries and activities that pose significant threats to soil health. These include:
The report identifies the following key contaminants commonly found in WB6:
Stepwise Approach to Managing Contaminated Sites
The report recommends a phased approach to soil contamination management that aligns with the needs and capacities of WB6 economies. The following steps outline practical actions that can be taken:
Phase 1, Kick-off Phase: This initial phase focuses on utilizing readily available data to compile a preliminary inventory of known contaminated sites. In this phase, WB6 economies should:
Phase 2, Comprehensive Register Development: Once preliminary data has been gathered, WB6 economies can begin developing a more comprehensive register of contaminated sites:
Many WB6 economies lack comprehensive laws specifically addressing soil contamination. While Serbia for example has established a soil protection law, other economies such as Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina primarily rely on environmental or agricultural laws that are less comprehensive in scope. On the other hand, limited resources and institutional fragmentation hinder efforts to address contamination. Strengthening cooperation between ministries (such as those responsible for the environment, health, and agriculture) is essential for creating a comprehensive soil management strategy.
The guidance also recommends legal and policy improvements to better align WB6 economies with the EU’s Soil Strategy 2030. Some of the key recommendations include Strengthening National Legislation and Developing a Soil Monitoring System.
WB6 economies should prioritize the identification of high-risk contaminated sites. These are areas that pose immediate risks to human health, and ecosystems. The guidance suggests criteria for prioritizing sites based on:
Future Steps and Collaboration
Next step will be the EU4Green workshop scheduled for autumn 2024, where stakeholders from the WB6 economies will come together to further refine the strategies outlined in the report. This workshop will serve as a platform to share lessons learned and discuss the development of a region-wide approach to soil contamination management.
Furthermore, the EEA IPA III soil project, which aims to conduct a national survey of potentially polluted sites, may build on the findings of this report. This initiative will enhance the collection of accurate data and facilitate the exchange of best practices across the region.
The practical steps outlined in this guidance provide a clear path forward for the WB6 economies as they work to manage contaminated soils. By adopting a phased approach, strengthening legal frameworks, and collaborating across borders, WB6 can make significant progress towards healthier soils, safer communities, and alignment with the Green Agenda goals.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.