According to a report from the Serbian Environmental Protection Agency (, the country’s electricity and heat production were responsible for 91% of SO_dos emissions. Particulate matter pollution was predominantly emitted from heating plants with less than 50 megawatts capacity and households, with these contributing 57% of PM10 and 75% of PM2.5 emissions. Alternatively, the largest sources of nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions were estimated to come from thermal power plants, along with the chemical and mineral industries. 5

How do coal herbs apply to Serbia’s air pollution?

Serbia’s dependence on lignite mikГ¤ on findmate and coal power for its electricity production is one well-known cause of the country’s air pollution. As large burners of fossil fuels, coal plants provide one of the most environmentally polluting sources of energy available, contributing significantly to both ground-level air pollution that affects people’s health, as well as carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate global heating and climate change. Serbia relies on lignite-fuelled power plants for around 70% of its electricity production. 6 Lignite is a poor-quality form of coal, partway between the geological transition from peat to hard coal, which emits around double the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced by natural gas for the same amount of energy output.

In terms of human health, coal power plants can emit a range of harmful pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen-oxides (NO_x), with NO_x contributing indirectly to the formation of ozone pollution. Of these, the pollutants of most pressing health concern are PM and ozone. A study by the Serbian Tax Council in 2019 found that of the state-owned energy company, Elektroprivreda Srbije, or Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS)’s managed thermoelectric plants within the country, none met all of the national and European environmental standards for such plants. 7 Furthermore, the study found that all EPS’ plants’ sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions in Serbia exceed the total amount of SO₂ emitted by all of the lignite plants in the European Union combined, while also producing ten times less electricity than the EU plants. 7

How does Serbia’s coal pollution compare to the rest of European countries?

If you find yourself over the years, European countries features a lot of time made use of coal power having a hefty region of the times also have, whilst still being really does provide a significant amount of power to regions and additionally Poland, the newest Czech Republic, Bulgaria and you may Germany, countries inside European union (EU) are in reality accelerating its change off coal and machine types of renewable power. Centered on leading Eu opportunity specialist teams, coal use to have fuel generation among the EU’s countries dropped by an archive-breaking twenty four% while in the 2019. 8 As yet, it rates regarding transition so you’re able to vacuum cleaner time was not viewed inside the Serbia, plus reality instead of shutting down coal flowers doing Begrade, Serbia keeps proceeded to open up the latest onesmentators note that indicating a good quicker change so you can cleaner times contained in this Serbia is a switch need for the nation whether it would like to get in on the European Union in future. Although not, achieving this transition might a costly procedure, which have Serbia’s Fiscal Council caution you to treating new pollution considering mines and you can power flowers does cost in the region away from €800 million euros otherwise over. six

What are the wellness results of Serbia’s pollution?

Exposure to air pollution can lead to a wide range of health outcomes, generally affecting new respiratory and you will cardiovascular solutions. These effects ranges regarding small-term annoyances so you can contributing to premature death. Short-label health effects of contact with air pollution can include breathing periods such cough, the latest irritation away from mouth area, nose and eyes, and you will problems of existing episodes for example symptoms of asthma. Long-title aftereffects of exposure to pollution can be more significant, also enhanced likelihood of development breathing disease instance chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, cancer of the lung, the latest weakening out of existing breathing requirements, and you can shorter lung form growth in people. Aerobic affects of pollution include altered cardiac autonomic function, blood pressure, enhanced blood pressure, myocardial infarction, coronary attack, and you may ischemic cardiovascular illnesses (IDH). 9