Explicación post-hoc

In the field of environment, steps were taken in the area of horizontal legislation. A first State of the Environment report for Bosnia and Herzegovina was published. Republika Srpska adopted implementing legislation advancing its alignment with Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Public Participation Directives. The implementation of the SEA and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directives in both Entities need to be improved, especially on public consultation procedures.

As regards air quality, Republika Srpska adopted implementing legislation on air quality monitoring, zones and agglomerations and air quality values. The implementation of the relevant acquis is at an early stage. Air quality planning and monitoring systems need upgrading. A country-wide air monitoring network has not yet been established.

On waste management, planning for solid waste management infrastructure intensified with the completion of studies for selection of locations for future regional sanitary landfills and municipal waste management plans for selected regions. However, there is no countrywide strategic planning of investment in this sector. The Federation adopted implementing legislation on management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Republika Srpska and the Federation adopted implementing legislation on packaging and packaging waste. There are limited economic instruments in place to promote recycling and prevention of waste generation. New investments in the area of waste should focus more on waste separation and recycling. Capacity to manage industrial and hazardous waste is weak.

Regarding water management, no efforts were made to ensure a consistent and harmonised approach to water management at State-level, including implementation of the water laws, monitoring and river-basin management plans. The Federation adopted implementing legislation on determining ecologically acceptable flow for surface water bodies. Steps were taken towards developing relevant strategies in the Entities and of river basin management plans for the rivers Neretva, Trebisnjica and Sava. Access to drinking water, untreated discharges of wastewater and flood management remain challenges.

As regards nature protection, the Federation adopted the Law on Nature Protection, thereby advancing alignment with the Birds and Habitats Directives. Republika Srpska adopted legislation that strengthens the protection of several sites. Implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) did not start. Implementation of the nature protection acquis remained at an early stage.

In the field of industrial pollution control, Bosnia and Herzegovina ratified the Convention on Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents. In the field of chemicals, Republika Srpska adopted implementing legislation advancing the alignment with the EU Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) and implementing legislation on biocides.

Regarding climate change, the country does not yet have a comprehensive countrywide climate policy or strategy. Substantial efforts are required to fully integrate climate change into sectoral policies and strategies. The country regularly associated itself with EU positions in the international context. While having previously associated itself with the Copenhagen Accord, the country has not yet put forward a mitigation commitment by 2020. The country should consider making mitigation commitments consistent with those of the EU and its Member States for the purpose of the post-2020 climate agreement to be reached by 2015. It is also invited to start reflecting on its climate and energy framework for 2030 in line with the EU Green Paper A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies.

The country is at a very early stage in aligning with EU climate acquis. Alignment with the acquis in the field of ozone layer protection and fluorinated gases has progressed, but not at countrywide level. The country identified 28 stationary installations for the future implementation of an emissions trading system. Significant efforts are required to strengthen the country’s monitoring, reporting and verification capacities. The country participated regularly in work on the climate under the Regional Environmental Network for Accession (RENA). A successful EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina climate event was organised in February. Significant efforts are needed to raise awareness at all levels and to promote cooperation between all relevant stakeholders.

Administrative capacity in the environment and climate sectors remains weak. A mechanism

for comprehensive alignment with EU legislation across the country is lacking, as is countrywide strategic planning. Monitoring and reporting on the state of the environment at country level is not done in a coherent and consistent way. Integration of environmental and climate concerns in other sectors remains weak. The administrative structure on climate change needs to be considerably strengthened. Capacity building is required to address significant capacity, cooperation and coordination needs.

Overall, there was limited progress on the environment and climate fields. The establishment of a harmonised legal framework for environmental protection, adequate administrative capacity and a functioning environmental monitoring system remain the priorities. Improvements have still to be made to horizontal and vertical communication and information exchange on environment and climate change issues among all authorities. Public consultations with civil society and other stakeholders need to be further strengthened. Regarding climate change, substantial efforts are required for awareness raising, setting a

more strategic approach for the country, aligning with and implementing the acquis and continuing to build up administrative capacity, including inter-institutional cooperation and coordination. Preparations on the environment and climate change fields remain at an early stage.