Environmental trends and perspectives in the Western Balkans: future production and consumption patterns

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EEA Report No 1/2010

This report looks at the forces shaping the future of the environment in the Western Balkans, in particular at the role of consumption and production patterns. It begins with a review of key recent environmental trends in the region, then analyses the global, European, regional and national drivers — such as social, political and economic — that are shaping production and consumption patterns. Addressing environmental challenges in a sustainable manner requires a close review of plausible future developments in other sectors and the potential implications of these drivers on the environment. At the end report also looks at how different actors in the region can act to shape environmental futures. The report takes a futures perspective because the countries of the Western Balkan are at a turning point in the development of their economies, societies and environment. This is important as in the long term, political, economic and other changes may exacerbate some environmental problems, create new ones and provide the means to address existing issues. The report also closely reviews and assesses how can available information support region-wide forward-looking integrated environment assessment.