Description:

The Research Forum conducts research on environmental issues in the Republic of Serbia that are of importance to the process of European integration. This includes monitoring and analyzing present conditions and conceptualizing the development of modern environmental policies such as: wastewater management, air protection, climate change, conservation biology, water resource management. The analyses and proposals are founded on environmental data provided by official authorities in Serbia, the EU and worldwide whilst special consideration is given to framing research within the concepts of regional cooperation and policy harmonization.

Publications:

International treaties in the field of environmental protection in relation to European integration and the South-Eastern European Region

Authors: Dragoljub Todic, Vid Vukasovic, Mladenka Ignjatic and Aleksandra Cavoski

Belgrad, December 2011

The South-Eastern European (SEE) region, alternatively termed the Western Balkans (WB), is characterised by transitionary circumstances and formally declared goals of accession to the European Union but displays low levels of regional cooperation in the field of environmental protection. The absence of clear and formally defined frameworks for regional cooperation can be overcame by concluding agreements on the institutionalisation of environmental protection in joint, regionally-owned bodies. This article discusses the possible opportunities for the Republic of Serbia to enact cooperation amongst regional actors by initiating a cooperative agreement and the possible elements of such an ‘Convention on the cooperation of SEE/WB states in environmental protection and sustainable development’ are outlined by the authors. Additional attention is given to possible objections to such an agreement. The paper is premised upon the improvement of implementation of environmental agreements and creation of WEE/SB-specific agreements being a possible catalyst in the process of European integration.

The study is available only in Serbian

Improveming the capacity of local government, civil society organizations and business entities for the implementation of environmental standards

Author: Dragoljub Todic

Belgrade, November 2012

This document is the result of researchconducted during 2012 and consists of two sections: a) an analysis of existing documents on the authority and capacities of local government and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the enforcement of environmental regulations and policies plus b) an interview-based survey of representatives of local governments, CSOs and business entities regarding their assessment of the available capacities (problems, needs, capabilities, further activities, etc.) for the enforcement of environmental regulations and policies. The document presents the results of this research. 

The study is available only in Serbian

Hazardous waste management in the Republic of Serbia

Authors: Dragoljub Todic, Zorica Isoski and Milos Katic

Belgrade, January 2013

Hazardous waste management represents a substantial part of the problems the Republic of Serbia faces in the field of environmental protection. Solutions are unlikely due to the area being burdened with a variety of factors: developing a post-industrial economy in transition, weak capacity of competent authorities and other systemic entities and little awareness of environmental issues amongst citizens. The construction of treatment plants for hazardous waste has long been hampered by the failure to gain consent from local government even though this has been defines as a strategic priority in the policies of the Republic of Serbia. Further analysis includes the overall state of waste management in Serbia, the normative framework of hazardous waste management on the international and national level, compliance of national legislation with EU regulation, the policies of political parties. Concluding with a comparison of regional policies regarding hazardous waste, the authors implore Serbia to reformulate its policy and adopt a more active approach regarding hazardous waste.

The study is available only in Serbian