Macedonia considers itself a relatively clean country, "since the level of pollution of the environment remains within the limits of tolerable technical parameters". (Black Sea Energy Review May 2000). Yet no targets are spelled out for Renewable Energy Sources, except for hydropower, presumably because of their concentration of shift ting to natural gas.
The leading role in the implementation of the Convention on climate change falls within the competence of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, in cooperation with other ministries. To address the problem of climate change more effectively, a Climate Change Project Unit within the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning is established. The Macedonian Government has also appointed the National Climate Change Committee entitled to supervise and co-ordinate the implementation of the projects and climate change related issues.
The National Action Plan (NAP) sets out the objectives and starting points for the reduction of GHG emissions and includes many measures aimed at reducing emissions. The NAP is based and adapted on the following criteria: to generate positive effects on the national economy; to minimize the costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; to act in compliance with financial capacities; to achieve reliability and competitiveness in the energy supply; food and other strategic resources and to develop medium and long-term solutions. The authorized state bodies will prepare economic and other instruments for carrying out the actions for emission reduction of greenhouse gases, such as tax and customs incentives and benefits. The Local Environmental Action Plans were realized in the most of the municipalities.
Macedonia has ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1998, and the Kyoto Protocol in November 2004. As a Non-Annex I country, Macedonia will be eligible for CDM projects.
The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning has the leading role in the climate change activities. The National Climate Change Committee is established in order to observe and coordinate the implementation of UNFCCC, and issues concerning the climate change. A Climate Change Project Unit is established within the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning that coordinates the preparation of the First National Communications on climate change.
[ First National Communication ]
In February 2007 it is expected to establish UNIDO Office for Cleaner Production Programme.
Under the power of the Law for Air Protection, all enterprises have to prepare working programs to receive A or B license, fulfilling measures determined by the IPPC directive till 2014.
CO2-Emissions
The total CO2 emissions have risen from in 9,008 kt in 1992 to 9,674 kt in 2002. Emissions per capita were 4.68 t CO2 in 1992 and 4.73 in 2002. With 71 %, electricity and heat production accounted for the largest share of CO2 emissions in the year 1999, followed by transportation with 11 %.
About 70 % of the country's greenhouse gas emissions originate from the energy sector.
CO2 Emissions by Source, 1998 (Total CO2 Emissions: 12 Million Metric Tons)
CO2 Emissions by Sector, 1999 (Total CO2 Emissions: 10 Million Metric Tons)
Share of CO2 Emissions
CO2-emissions per capita of Macedonia, other CEEC, Austria, and the EU 15, 2007
Air Pollution
Main sources of pollution are the industrial plants that mainly pollute the environment with gases containing sulphur, carbon, nitrogen and heavy metals. Most of the industrial plants were built without taking into consideration the problem of pollution and waste, and consequently they have no technology to manage the problem. Some of the greatest air pollutants in the Republic of Macedonia are: the lead and zinc smelter in Veles, the steel plant in Skopje, "Jugohrom" in Jegunovce and "Fenimak" in Kavadarci with an estimation of overall emissions of about 10,000 tons SO2, the factory for fertilizers in Zletovo and the oil refinery in the vicinity of Skopje.
The air is of worst quality in Veles, Skopje, Bitola and Tetovo and has an impact on approximately 30 % of the population in Macedonia.The power plant in Bitola and Oslomej are also air pollutants whose emission of SO2 is about 2,000 mg/m3. The same is true for the central heating enterprise in Skopje due to the fact that it uses fuel with great quantities of sulphur. The newly built gas pipeline is expected to substitute this high polluting fuel. In addition, the emissions of the automobiles in the highly populated areas contribute to the high level of air pollution, especially if we bear in mind the fact that the average age of vehicle is 11 years and most of them are without catalysts and use petrol with a high level of lead (0.6 mg/l) and poor quality diesel (with 1 % sulphur).
[ Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia ]
Macedonia has ratified the:
- Vienna Convention in 1994
Non-CO2 Air Pollution, thousand metric tons, 1995: | |
|---|---|
SO2 | 94 |
NOx | 34 |
CO | 248 |
Non-methane VOC emissions | 36 |
