Challenges of climate change

The aim of the Paper is to identify risks related to climate change and the main effects on the agricultural production in the Western Balkans (WBC), which are facing severe economic difficulties: the standard of living is lower than in the EU; unemployment rates are high; and economic growth is relatively modest; the acceleration of economic reforms. The authors see it as an opportune moment to better integrate climate change aspects into the newly drafted national development plans. Due to the region’s climate, agriculture—in particular the production of crops, fruits and vegetables has traditionally been a crucial contributor to the national economies, providing the income basis for a high proportion of the population and employment for many, being also the second highest contributor, after the energy sector, to national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Most of WBC are signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol (KP), and as the candidates for EU accession process have assumed the obligations under these documents. They have obliged to develop strategies for climate change mitigation and for adaptation to changing climatic conditions; to cooperate in climate observations, research and technology transfer; and to promote education and public awareness. The contribution of the Paper is in defining domains of possible WB countries response to climate change risk in: public policy, technology and skills, market signals and attitudes; main driving forces for input use, land use, farm management; pressures and risks as pollution, resource depletion, benefits