1. Nature protection and wind farm development in Serbia Dr. sc. Toni Safner IRES ekologija

2. Purpose of the document Prepare a guidance document about integration of biodiversity and nature conservation principles in development of the wind energy sector Serbia today One of the biodiversity centers of Europe hosting 43.3% of all existing European species The obligation to reach the target of 27% of energy originating from RES in gross final energy consumption by 2020

3. 1. Legislative framework for windpower sector and nature protection in the EU and Serbia 2. Development of the wind power sector in Serbia -status and outlook 3. Potential impacts of wind farms on environment, habitats and species 4. Socio-economic framework for wind farm development 5. Social and environmental requriements matrix 6. Best practices and actions to mitigate the impacts of wind farms 7. Wind farm positive and negative impacts matrix and project categorisation 8. Environmental impact monitoring plan 9. Recommendations

4. Legislative framework (EU) Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources The Birds Directive The Habitats Directive Natura 2000 (Appropriate assesment) Environmental Impact Assessment Directive Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive Legislative framework (Serbia) Law on Planning and Construction, Law on Spatial Planning of the Republic of Serbia from 2010 to 2020 Law on Environmental Protection, Law on Environmental Impact Assessment, Law on Nature Protection Energy Development Strategy for the Republic of Serbia until 2105, The Energy Law

5. Potential impacts of wind farms on environment, habitats and species Direct loss of habitat Habitat degradation and fragmentation Noise and flicker High risk of negative impacts on birds and bats (migration corridors, areas with high density of raptors, wetland habitats, around roosting or hibernating sites for bats…) Cooperation with Natural History Museum, Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia and Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province

6. Best practices and actions to mitigate the impacts of wind farms Strategic positioning outside the potential zones of negative impacts (protected areas, ecological network areas and areas important for birds and bats) Strategic assessments of environmental impact of spatial plans and special purpose plans (e.g. National Action Plan for renewable energy sources) Strategically located and evaluated projects are less likely to be disputed in the stage of environmental impact assessment Other specific mitigation measures Good and bad practice examples from Scotland and Croatia Monitoring plan suggestions

7. Reccomendations (as in 2013) harmonization of legislation (change of the 2 year deadline for keeping the temporary status of privileged power Producer, implementation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before issuing the location permit…) positive communication between investors and local stakeholders, consultations with the relevant institutes for nature conservation (Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia or Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province) strategic environmental impact assessment for spatial plans that include wind farms, to avoid locations with high risk for birds or bats)

8. Thanks to: Ministry of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection Ministry of Natural Resources, Mining and Spatial Planning Provincial Secretariat for Urban Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province Natural History Museum Serbian Wind Energy Association UNDP …and to You!