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JUNE 2008 Edition
Ecotourism in Macedonia
Ecotourism is a tourism which directly or indirectly promotes and supports sustainable economic development. Ecotourism can generate financial support for the formation, management and protection of natural areas. Having no coast, Macedonia can not pretend to become a mass-tourism destination like Croatia or Montenegro. The geographical and climatic conditions of Macedonia are to favour the development of tourism in an ecological environment.
Therefore, Macedonia should follow the example of small countries with very rich natural and ecological reserves such as Costa Rica or Nepal, for which ecotourism has become an important source of income. The drawback of ecotourism, like any kind of tourism, is that it can lead to a certain loss of values or customs, that is why Macedonia should implement very carefully ecotourism facilities with the outside assistance of NGO’s for a backup option due to uncertainties of the tourism market.
QUICK FACTS:
Number of tourists (2006): 499, 473 (total)
domestic: 297, 116;
foreign: 202, 357 ;
Number of tourists in Lake Ohrid: 250, 000 domestic and foreign in 2007;
Employees: around 11, 000;
Increase of employment (2007-08): 41.4%
Countries of origin of tourists (mostly): Serbia: 17%; Greece : 11%; Bulgaria : 9%; Albania : 7%.
Modest Beginnings
In December 2007, the Ministry of economy of Macedonia finally announced a development strategy for tourism until 2012. The strategy aims to create more than 2,000 new jobs and to improve by 28% the foreign and domestic investment in the tourism sector.
Ecotourism is still at a starting stage in Macedonia. Nevertheless, several local initiatives have already been undertaken: in the Skopje region, five ecotourism zones have been selected: Vodno-Matka, Jakupica, Taor, Katlanovo and Skopska Crna Gora. The political party DOM is setting up an eco-village in Babino and is promoting cultural tourism in Vitoliste in Mariovo district. A Macedonian emigrant is trying to renew in an environmental friendly way the village of Janse in Reka region in order to prevent the inhabitants to leave the village.
But until now, the most significant ongoing projects are implemented with international cooperation: the project “Sustainable development through ecotourism and environmental education in protected areas”, financed by the German agency GTZ, is implemented in Galicica National Park by the Alliance for Lake Cooperation in Ohrid and Prespa with the help of six NGOs from Serbia, Albania and Bulgaria.
Big Potential
EU funds, through the pre-accession assistance and neignbourhood policy, are good source for developing eco-tourism. Through the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU is financing the development of ecotourism in Bosilovo and Monospitovo and a project for nature protection in the cross boarder zone of Dupnica-Kriva Palanka. This also helps Macedonia to follow Bulgarian examples where ecotourism is at a more developed state. Bilateral initiatives aiming promotion of ecotourism need also to be taken in consideration, like the pilot ecotourism project implemented by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Brajcino area.
Macedonia has a considerable potential for ecotourism with not less than 33 natural conservation areas. International cooperation can really help Macedonia for the capacity building and organizational development of ecotourism but it is to the government to have a clear strategy: it is its role to take the optimal decisions and to create proper conditions for ecotourism so that the actors concerned could effectively benefit from it. The state has really to engage Macedonia into the niche of ecotourism through marketing campaign and to become conscious of the advantages from the respect of Macedonian nature. Indeed, ecotourism is unsustainable without ecology, so real efforts have to be done to clean the country and to improve individual awareness on environmental issues, so that 2009 could really become the year for green initiatives in Macedonia.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
New plastics recycling industry in Macedonia - Truth or Dare?
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MAY 2008 Edition
New plastics recycling industry in Macedonia - Truth or Dare?
The production and use of plastics today is 20 times greater than that of 50 years ago and is expected to increase, driven by its potential for innovation and energy saving, positive contribution to climate protection. However, plastics usage has many disadvantages, like the non-degradable nature, whose disposal creates a solid waste problem. EU policy on Waste Management as implemented in the Framework Directive on waste as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC obliges member states to encourage the reduction of waste and its harmfulness. They also must encourage the recovery of waste and prohibit uncontrolled dumping. The revised Packaging Waste Directive EU directive sets targets for recycling and recovery min. 55% and min. 60 % respectively, with end year of achievement December, 2008.
Macedonia lags well behind with the lack of modern technology and managerial expertise on waste management practices, and is currently undergoing an intensive period of legislative development concerning this issue. What are the present conditions of the plastics recycling industry in Macedonia? Can the private sector involvement in the waste management reach greater efficiency than the public enterprises regarding waste recovery and recycling?
Waste created per inhabitant: 313 kg/inhabitant
Commercial waste: 154.543 t/year (27%of the community solid waste)
Household waste: 417.838 t/year (73% of the community solid waste)
Waste from packaging: 13% from household waste and 30% from commercial waste in total 97.305t/year (17% of the community solid waste)
Total plastic (PET) wastes from packaging (including landfill disposed): 10.748t
Recycled PET waste from packaging: 0.2t
Source: MoEPP, R. Macedonia (2004/05)
Challenging conditions
The capacity for recycling, reuse and recovery of plastic packaging is very limited, with rate of recycling only 0.01%. According to the newly adopted Waste Management Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia (2008-2020) the recovery of many types of potentially recyclable materials (metals, paper, plastics, car batteries and accumulators, waste oils etc.) is not financially viable under the prevailing conditions: lower waste volumes, lower waste fees, higher costs of operating on relatively smaller scale and limited local markets for recyclables that contribute for an increased costs of export for recyclables. These unfavorable conditions are an obstacle for preparation and implementation of the integrated and cost-effective waste management system, regarding waste management recovery and recycling.
In need of encouragement
Data show that mostly the informal sector and private companies deal with collection and recycling of plastics. The cost-effective studies give green light on the private sector for its involvement in the part of managing waste treatment, recovery and recycling. This sector has taken over the resources belonging to the recycling network of former Yugoslavia, and still is not used efficiently due to the costly collection system. However, the implementation of $1.2 million USAID sponsored Plastic Recycling Project in partnership with the municipalities of Karpos, Gostivar, Kocani and Strumica, as well as public and private waste management companies and NGOs has brought progress in the raw waste management area. The recycling facts for the period 2005-2007 speak for themselves: collection of plastic bottles from start up point of 341 tones in 2005 have increased to 1500 tones in 2006 and in 2007 is estimated to be 3000 tones, and generated exports from bailed and/or processed plastic bottles reached approximately $1.6 million in 2007. (Source: USAID Plastic Recycling Project)The potential of the new recycling activities exists, but is facing problems such as: insufficient financial support for vehicles, equipment operation and maintenance costs, difficulties in obtaining appropriate licenses and permits, resolving the issue on unfair competition resulting from illegal collectors, weak public awareness and marketing campaigns, as well as missing support from local authorities for organizing plastic waste collection schemes.
MAY 2008 Edition
New plastics recycling industry in Macedonia - Truth or Dare?
The production and use of plastics today is 20 times greater than that of 50 years ago and is expected to increase, driven by its potential for innovation and energy saving, positive contribution to climate protection. However, plastics usage has many disadvantages, like the non-degradable nature, whose disposal creates a solid waste problem. EU policy on Waste Management as implemented in the Framework Directive on waste as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC obliges member states to encourage the reduction of waste and its harmfulness. They also must encourage the recovery of waste and prohibit uncontrolled dumping. The revised Packaging Waste Directive EU directive sets targets for recycling and recovery min. 55% and min. 60 % respectively, with end year of achievement December, 2008.
Macedonia lags well behind with the lack of modern technology and managerial expertise on waste management practices, and is currently undergoing an intensive period of legislative development concerning this issue. What are the present conditions of the plastics recycling industry in Macedonia? Can the private sector involvement in the waste management reach greater efficiency than the public enterprises regarding waste recovery and recycling?
Waste created per inhabitant: 313 kg/inhabitant
Commercial waste: 154.543 t/year (27%of the community solid waste)
Household waste: 417.838 t/year (73% of the community solid waste)
Waste from packaging: 13% from household waste and 30% from commercial waste in total 97.305t/year (17% of the community solid waste)
Total plastic (PET) wastes from packaging (including landfill disposed): 10.748t
Recycled PET waste from packaging: 0.2t
Source: MoEPP, R. Macedonia (2004/05)
Challenging conditions
The capacity for recycling, reuse and recovery of plastic packaging is very limited, with rate of recycling only 0.01%. According to the newly adopted Waste Management Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia (2008-2020) the recovery of many types of potentially recyclable materials (metals, paper, plastics, car batteries and accumulators, waste oils etc.) is not financially viable under the prevailing conditions: lower waste volumes, lower waste fees, higher costs of operating on relatively smaller scale and limited local markets for recyclables that contribute for an increased costs of export for recyclables. These unfavorable conditions are an obstacle for preparation and implementation of the integrated and cost-effective waste management system, regarding waste management recovery and recycling.
In need of encouragement
Data show that mostly the informal sector and private companies deal with collection and recycling of plastics. The cost-effective studies give green light on the private sector for its involvement in the part of managing waste treatment, recovery and recycling. This sector has taken over the resources belonging to the recycling network of former Yugoslavia, and still is not used efficiently due to the costly collection system. However, the implementation of $1.2 million USAID sponsored Plastic Recycling Project in partnership with the municipalities of Karpos, Gostivar, Kocani and Strumica, as well as public and private waste management companies and NGOs has brought progress in the raw waste management area. The recycling facts for the period 2005-2007 speak for themselves: collection of plastic bottles from start up point of 341 tones in 2005 have increased to 1500 tones in 2006 and in 2007 is estimated to be 3000 tones, and generated exports from bailed and/or processed plastic bottles reached approximately $1.6 million in 2007. (Source: USAID Plastic Recycling Project)The potential of the new recycling activities exists, but is facing problems such as: insufficient financial support for vehicles, equipment operation and maintenance costs, difficulties in obtaining appropriate licenses and permits, resolving the issue on unfair competition resulting from illegal collectors, weak public awareness and marketing campaigns, as well as missing support from local authorities for organizing plastic waste collection schemes.
Renewable Energy – a new energy scenario for Macedonia?
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April 2008 issue
Renewable Energy – a new energy scenario for Macedonia?
Renewable energy sources include non-fossil sources of energy that are sustainable over time and have no harmful environmental side effects. The new global energy and environmental trend is directed towards increase of the share of the RES in the energy production. Global, Europe-wide, and country-specific scenarios show 10% to 50% shares of primary energy from RES by 2050. Following this agenda the European Union has enthusiastically set the target of RES in the total energy production at 20% until the year 2020. While EU countries are leading forces in the use of RES in the world Macedonia is lagging behind. The share of RES in Macedonia is minimal; major energy sources still remaining the fossil fuels with environmentally damaging effects.
Is there an opportunity for more serious use of the RES in the energy sector in Macedonia? Can Macedonia become environmental friendly country, in the same time providing efficient and sustainable energy market?
Energy Profile of R.M. for 2007:
(in 10³TJ)
Total energy consumption: 121, 07
Energy production: 63, 59 (52, 52%)
Energy import: 57, 48 (47, 48 %)
Electricity from thermo-plants: 18, 37
Electricity from hydro-plants: 3, 46 RES share in total energy consumption (wood and geothermal energy): 7, 58 (6, 26%)
CO2 emission: 8.05 million metric tons
Source: Ministry for EconomyNeed for renewable energy sources in Macedonia
Today the share of renewable energy sources (hydro, solar, wind) in the total energy consumption in Macedonia is at a very low level. The energy sector remains very much dependent on the thermo-energy based on coal and lignite, as well as on the imports of oil and electricity. Nuclear power as a source of energy is not considered as an option on medium-term. With the astronomic rise of the oil prices, the global scarcity of the fossil fuels, the country’s insufficient distribution of natural gas and the underdeveloped electricity grid, Macedonia is facing serious problems with the energy production in the years to come. These serious indicators show the urgent need for bigger use of the sources of renewable energy in Macedonia. It will serve as exit from the energy crisis, reducing country’s dependence on imported energy sources, economic competitiveness on medium and long turn, and approach to the EU target level of 12% of share in RES until 2010, set in the EC White paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan. The energy from RES will also allow for reduction of GHG in the atmosphere, which is also on the top of EU’s environmental agenda.
RES - Positive practices and blurred future pace
Following the EU directives on energy efficiency and RES as well as the provision in the Law on Energy from 2006, recent years show increase in the tendencies for energy from renewable sources. Thus, last year saw the launching of the tender for construction of small hydro-plants for electricity production. However other planned projects like the establishment of small geothermal district heating systems based on biomass and the building on windmills remain unrealized, on the level of policy recommendations. This is a result of the lack of concrete operational framework in the field of renewable energy on a state level, which hauls down the exploitation of the RES in Macedonia, leaving the initiatives mainly in the private sector.
Even though the EU 2007 Progress Report for Macedonia has positively evaluated the country in the field of renewable energies, the lack of administrative capacity for implementation and monitoring of the renewable energy projects remains as major obstacle for the energy sector. The absence of priority treatment in the state development policy has left the organized large-scale electricity production from RES out of the country’s energy agenda. Macedonia hasn’t developed efficient energy scenario for the upcoming years of energy crisis and economic instability. The question on how the renewable energy can fill in the gaps of the energy production in Macedonia remains an open issue that sets the Macedonian energy map until 2020. The solution to this issue will be better law enforcement, increase of technological innovations and political will for implementation of the state policies in the field of renewable energy.
Energy Profile of R.M. for 2007:
(in 10³TJ)
Total energy consumption: 121, 07
Energy production: 63, 59 (52, 52%)
Energy import: 57, 48 (47, 48 %)
Electricity from thermo-plants: 18, 37
Electricity from hydro-plants: 3, 46 RES share in total energy consumption (wood and geothermal energy): 7, 58 (6, 26%)
CO2 emission: 8.05 million metric tons
April 2008 issue
Renewable Energy – a new energy scenario for Macedonia?
Renewable energy sources include non-fossil sources of energy that are sustainable over time and have no harmful environmental side effects. The new global energy and environmental trend is directed towards increase of the share of the RES in the energy production. Global, Europe-wide, and country-specific scenarios show 10% to 50% shares of primary energy from RES by 2050. Following this agenda the European Union has enthusiastically set the target of RES in the total energy production at 20% until the year 2020. While EU countries are leading forces in the use of RES in the world Macedonia is lagging behind. The share of RES in Macedonia is minimal; major energy sources still remaining the fossil fuels with environmentally damaging effects.
Is there an opportunity for more serious use of the RES in the energy sector in Macedonia? Can Macedonia become environmental friendly country, in the same time providing efficient and sustainable energy market?
Energy Profile of R.M. for 2007:
(in 10³TJ)
Total energy consumption: 121, 07
Energy production: 63, 59 (52, 52%)
Energy import: 57, 48 (47, 48 %)
Electricity from thermo-plants: 18, 37
Electricity from hydro-plants: 3, 46 RES share in total energy consumption (wood and geothermal energy): 7, 58 (6, 26%)
CO2 emission: 8.05 million metric tons
Source: Ministry for EconomyNeed for renewable energy sources in Macedonia
Today the share of renewable energy sources (hydro, solar, wind) in the total energy consumption in Macedonia is at a very low level. The energy sector remains very much dependent on the thermo-energy based on coal and lignite, as well as on the imports of oil and electricity. Nuclear power as a source of energy is not considered as an option on medium-term. With the astronomic rise of the oil prices, the global scarcity of the fossil fuels, the country’s insufficient distribution of natural gas and the underdeveloped electricity grid, Macedonia is facing serious problems with the energy production in the years to come. These serious indicators show the urgent need for bigger use of the sources of renewable energy in Macedonia. It will serve as exit from the energy crisis, reducing country’s dependence on imported energy sources, economic competitiveness on medium and long turn, and approach to the EU target level of 12% of share in RES until 2010, set in the EC White paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan. The energy from RES will also allow for reduction of GHG in the atmosphere, which is also on the top of EU’s environmental agenda.
RES - Positive practices and blurred future pace
Following the EU directives on energy efficiency and RES as well as the provision in the Law on Energy from 2006, recent years show increase in the tendencies for energy from renewable sources. Thus, last year saw the launching of the tender for construction of small hydro-plants for electricity production. However other planned projects like the establishment of small geothermal district heating systems based on biomass and the building on windmills remain unrealized, on the level of policy recommendations. This is a result of the lack of concrete operational framework in the field of renewable energy on a state level, which hauls down the exploitation of the RES in Macedonia, leaving the initiatives mainly in the private sector.
Even though the EU 2007 Progress Report for Macedonia has positively evaluated the country in the field of renewable energies, the lack of administrative capacity for implementation and monitoring of the renewable energy projects remains as major obstacle for the energy sector. The absence of priority treatment in the state development policy has left the organized large-scale electricity production from RES out of the country’s energy agenda. Macedonia hasn’t developed efficient energy scenario for the upcoming years of energy crisis and economic instability. The question on how the renewable energy can fill in the gaps of the energy production in Macedonia remains an open issue that sets the Macedonian energy map until 2020. The solution to this issue will be better law enforcement, increase of technological innovations and political will for implementation of the state policies in the field of renewable energy.
Energy Profile of R.M. for 2007:
(in 10³TJ)
Total energy consumption: 121, 07
Energy production: 63, 59 (52, 52%)
Energy import: 57, 48 (47, 48 %)
Electricity from thermo-plants: 18, 37
Electricity from hydro-plants: 3, 46 RES share in total energy consumption (wood and geothermal energy): 7, 58 (6, 26%)
CO2 emission: 8.05 million metric tons
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Challenges of Urban Life: Macedonia and Europe
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March 2008 issue
THE CHALLENGES OF URBAN LIVING
Urban living: The challenges of city life
Currently, half of the world’s population lives in urban centres and cities can be viewed as potential threats to environment around the world. Even countries as India, traditionally considered as rural, where 70 % of the total number of one billion population is still living in rural areas, is facing massive migration from rural communities. Macedonia is not an exception to this trend. In response to the mounting challenges to urban environment, the EU is striving for new urban policy and reformulating the idea of a European city. Following the directives from Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment as well as the Draft Community Strategic Guidelines for Cohesion 2007–2013, the EU has undertaken remarkable steps aimed at contributing to better implementation of EU environmental policies and legislation at local level. What is the significance of this fast growing interest for living in European cities and are we catching up with the European dimension of urban policy? Analyzing urban policy in Macedonia we can easily detect a gap in essentially important links among three main aspects of urban policy: physical, economic and social infrastructure.
Main problems of urban living in Macedonia:
Macedonian population is predominantly concentrated in urban areas, in first place in the city of Skopje, the capital. Major problems with regards to urban living that have emerged lately include high concentration of population, urban poverty, expansion of illegal settlements, traffic congestion, obsolete communal infrastructure, lack of regulations and low public awareness. This all has led to insufficient quality of urban life. One of the challenges of both local and national governments is defining plans aimed at improving the housing conditions in the settlements, especially the quality of living in small urban areas. Traffic also remains one of the most serious concern for urban planners and it is a definitely a lesson that can be learnt from other European cities facing traffic difficulties such as London where as the result of a new policy to shift from a dependence on cars to public transportation, car traffic has dropped by 5%. But regardless of the urban problems the cities are still promising destinations for living but mostly for practical economic reasons and finding jobs. In this context, the Government recently announced a project – building a new city in the Eastern part of the country envisioned to become a driver of the new Economical district.
Improving Urban Living:
One thing is certain: the quality of urban life is becoming an issue among local authorities putting urban management challenges high on their agenda. It is also crucial for the country to follow global trends and directives. In 2004 Macedonia joined the countries that ratified Kyoto protocol and prepared national strategy on CDM. Urban living policy it is not just an attempt to organize city life; it is a redefined requirement that must ensure perspective for each city relevant to its unique characteristics and needs. There must be systematic plan that will improve the main urban living indicators and finally to maximize their overall potential, at first place in the country’s economic growth and social development.
Source: World Economic Forum
Quick Facts:
Major cities: Skopje, Bitola, Tetovo, Prilep, Kumanovo.
Urban population: 60%
Population density: 81 inhab./km2
Population Skopje: 506.926
Population density Skopje: 887,07 inhab./km2
Source: Ministry of Local Government
March 2008 issue
THE CHALLENGES OF URBAN LIVING
Urban living: The challenges of city life
Currently, half of the world’s population lives in urban centres and cities can be viewed as potential threats to environment around the world. Even countries as India, traditionally considered as rural, where 70 % of the total number of one billion population is still living in rural areas, is facing massive migration from rural communities. Macedonia is not an exception to this trend. In response to the mounting challenges to urban environment, the EU is striving for new urban policy and reformulating the idea of a European city. Following the directives from Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment as well as the Draft Community Strategic Guidelines for Cohesion 2007–2013, the EU has undertaken remarkable steps aimed at contributing to better implementation of EU environmental policies and legislation at local level. What is the significance of this fast growing interest for living in European cities and are we catching up with the European dimension of urban policy? Analyzing urban policy in Macedonia we can easily detect a gap in essentially important links among three main aspects of urban policy: physical, economic and social infrastructure.
Main problems of urban living in Macedonia:
Macedonian population is predominantly concentrated in urban areas, in first place in the city of Skopje, the capital. Major problems with regards to urban living that have emerged lately include high concentration of population, urban poverty, expansion of illegal settlements, traffic congestion, obsolete communal infrastructure, lack of regulations and low public awareness. This all has led to insufficient quality of urban life. One of the challenges of both local and national governments is defining plans aimed at improving the housing conditions in the settlements, especially the quality of living in small urban areas. Traffic also remains one of the most serious concern for urban planners and it is a definitely a lesson that can be learnt from other European cities facing traffic difficulties such as London where as the result of a new policy to shift from a dependence on cars to public transportation, car traffic has dropped by 5%. But regardless of the urban problems the cities are still promising destinations for living but mostly for practical economic reasons and finding jobs. In this context, the Government recently announced a project – building a new city in the Eastern part of the country envisioned to become a driver of the new Economical district.
Improving Urban Living:
One thing is certain: the quality of urban life is becoming an issue among local authorities putting urban management challenges high on their agenda. It is also crucial for the country to follow global trends and directives. In 2004 Macedonia joined the countries that ratified Kyoto protocol and prepared national strategy on CDM. Urban living policy it is not just an attempt to organize city life; it is a redefined requirement that must ensure perspective for each city relevant to its unique characteristics and needs. There must be systematic plan that will improve the main urban living indicators and finally to maximize their overall potential, at first place in the country’s economic growth and social development.
Source: World Economic Forum
Quick Facts:
Major cities: Skopje, Bitola, Tetovo, Prilep, Kumanovo.
Urban population: 60%
Population density: 81 inhab./km2
Population Skopje: 506.926
Population density Skopje: 887,07 inhab./km2
Source: Ministry of Local Government
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