The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union have announced €10 million in funding for the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement energy efficiency upgrades.
EBRD has issued a €8 million loan, while the EU is extending a €2 million grant for the refurbishment of 40 buildings in Sarajevo.
The EBRD is providing the loan through its joined Green Cities initiative launched February 2019. The framework is designed to help cities to articulate a sustainable development vision and their strategic objectives, as well as define actions and investments necessary to address priority environmental issues. The network of Green Cities in the EBRD regions is growing rapidly and to date, 43 cities have signed up to the initiative.
The upgrades will be carried out under the Green City Action Plan for the Sarajevo Canton.
The investments will cover 29 schools and related facilities, 6 kindergartens, 3 student dormitories and 2 outpatient clinics.
The energy savings are estimated to be around 13.7GWh and would result in 4,774 tonnes of carbon emissions savings annually.
Energy efficiency measures will include the introduction of cleaner and more efficient heating, better insulation, better lighting and overall improvements.
Manuela Naessl, EBRD head of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: “The proposed measures will not only make the buildings more comfortable for users and minimise the consumption of heat and electricity, but will also reduce air pollution in the city.
“The EBRD is working with many partners, including the two entity governments, on measures to reduce pollution and improve energy efficiency in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is still a long way to go but this is an important step in the right direction.”
