GHG emissions monitoring training for thermal power plants and inspectorates

Belgrade, 25 and 28 February 2025 - The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as part of the project "EU for Green Agenda in Serbia", organised two trainings on monitoring GHG emissions for the representatives of thermal power plants and environmental inspectorates in order to provide them with the support they need to meet their legal obligations in this area. The training was attended by 48 participants.

All plants whose operations result in significant GHG emissions, whether through the combustion of fossil fuels or in the production process, are required to obtain an emissions permit and monitor and report emissions in accordance with a pre-approved plan. These include thermal power plants, oil refineries, heating plants, metal and cement production and processing plants, ceramic production plants, food industry plants and other plants. In the last two years, seven such training courses have been held for representatives of such plants and the competent institutions, attended by over 240 participants.

Most plants have applied for GHG emission permits and 85 plans have been granted permits. These permits are part of the system that enables the monitoring, reporting and verification of GHG emissions. This system allows the state to regulate the emission of harmful gases that contribute to global warming and climate change.

Systematised and reliable data on emissions is a prerequisite for Serbia to join the EU Emissions Trading System - EU ETS, which provides for a limit on the amount of emissions that plants are allowed to produce and the trading of these emissions.

In accordance with the Law on Climate Change, the Republic of Serbia should harmonise with the EU ETS and/or introduce other methods of charging for GHG emissions.

Imposing emission charges would increase competitiveness and enable a continuous presence of the Serbian economy in the EU market, while reducing emissions from industry and the energy sector and accelerating the decarbonization of the Serbian economy.

The project "EU for Green Agenda in Serbia" is implemented by UNDP with technical and financial support from the European Union and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and in cooperation with Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional funding from the governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Serbia.