Japan  Joined GMI in 2010 

Methane Emissions Summary

Biannually, Serbia develops an update report that is submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Their Second National Determined Contribution (NDC) was submitted in August 2022, defining the intended reduction of 33.3% compared to 1990 levels. Serbia has made significant reductions in methane emissions from enteric fermentation and wastewater discharge and treatment.

GHG Emissions by Gas, 1990-2020

Methane Emission Reductions in Key Reporting Sectors, 1990 versus 2020

Source: Second Biannual Update Report of the Republic of Serbia, 2023. https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Second%20Biennial%20Update%20Report%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Serbia.pdf

Methane Commitments and Plans

Methane mitigation efforts in Serbia are guided by national and international commitments and strategic documents. Serbia also engages in partnerships dedicated to addressing methane.

National

Serbia has a national action plan and strategies to support the country’s climate targets and achieve emissions reductions goals.

• The Low Carbon Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia for the period 2023–2030, with projections extending to 2050, was adopted in June 2023. It identifies opportunities for methane reduction through the collection and treatment of landfill gas, which can be utilized for electricity and/or heat production.
• The Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (INECP) of the Republic of Serbia for the period 2030 with the projections up to 2050 was adopted in July 2024, targeted an emissions cut of 40.3% by 2030 including the LULUCF sector compared to 1990. INECP includes measures that will lead to decreases of methane.
• In 2023, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted the Climate Change Adaptation Programme for the period 2023–2030.
• In 2021, Serbia adopted the Green Bond Framework and was the first Balkan Country to publicly commit to promoting projects aimed at environmental protection and climate change mitigation.

Other relevant plans and strategies:

• Waste Management Program for 2022 – 2031, with Action Plan for the period 2022-2024
• Water Management Strategy for the period from 2016 to 2034, with Action Plan 2021-2023
• Program for the development of the circular economy in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2022-2024
• Program of Air Protection of the Republic of Serbia for the period 2022-2030 with Action Plan
• 1st River Basin Management Plan 2021-2027
• Program for Sewage Sludge Management 2023 – 2031 and Action Plan 2022 – 2026

International

Serbia actively supports and engages with numerous international efforts to address methane challenges.

• The Republic of Serbia joined the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) in 2010. 
• As a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partner, Serbia is involved in the UNDP Climate Promise and revised their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2022.
• Serbia joined the European Union to launch the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP26).
• Since 2020, Serbia has worked with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Climate Technology Centre & Network to address heat technology improvements.
• Serbia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management has been working with the Green Climate Fund since 2016 to address mitigation in Serbia.
• As a member of a Global Environment Facility (GEF) constituency, Serbia has had numerous climate change projects funded by GEF.
• Serbia has worked closely with the United Nations since the early 2000s.

Methane Actions

Regarding the Global Methane Pledge, the Republic of Serbia supported the European Union to launch the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021 at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP 26). Three feasibility studies for the establishment of biogas plants and the utilization of bio-waste for three local governments were conducted and a report was developed titled Biomethane production in Serbia - gap analysis of policies, potential, supply, infrastructure and market trends. The report includes analysis of the strategic and regulatory framework for biomethane production in Serbia; proposal of short-term, medium-term and long-term goals for biomethane production; analysis of available resources; assessment of infrastructure; and proposal of ways to integrate biomethane into the energy system. In addition, incentive schemes were proposed and obstacles in the financial and administrative framework for the establishment of biomethane production facilities were recognized.

The following highlights actions taken by the Republic of Serbia to address methane, organized by GMI sector:

• Biowaste diversion studies for South Backa Waste Management Region 
• Guideline for Composting Operations in Novi Sad
• Pre-feasibility Study for Scaling up Novi Sad Composting Project to Treat Organic Waste from the Entire South Backa Region
• Implementation plan for source separation of municipal solid waste in Vrbas
• Translation of GMI tools: SWEET and LFG-ST to Serbian language
• Training of local self-governments’ and public utility companies’ representatives on application of translated tools for the purpose of improved planning of biowaste management and emission reductions
• Other ongoing and planned projects.

Biogas Sector

• Under an Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) grant, the GMI tools: Solid Waste Emission Estimation Tool (SWEET) and Landfill gas Screening Tool (LFG-ST) were translated into Serbian. Training sessions were held to introduce local self-government representatives and public utility companies to these tools, supporting enhanced planning for biowaste management and emission reduction within the waste sector.
• To guide the environmental investment process, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Chapter 27 institutions developed the Multiannual Investment and Financing Plan (MIFP) in 2019, which gives a national strategic framework for financing environmental investments and includes an overview of investments needed for compliance, projects cost, estimates and assessments of potential sources of finance. The biggest part of the investments is required for the implementation of urban wastewater treatment requirements. Currently, most of the resources are being allocated, planned, or in implementation for major, large, and medium size agglomerations, which are accountable for about 80% of the pollution load.
• Investment needs for the waste sector is mainly being allocated to establish a basic level of infrastructure, including the development of landfills and transfer stations, the collection of waste and to start separate collection of recyclables and secondary separation. The remaining priorities include further action regarding separate waste collection, the development of biodegradable waste management, to establish sanitary landfills in remaining regions and the remediation of closed unsanitary landfills.
• The main sources of environmental infrastructure financing include the national budget, IFIs and bilateral loans (e.g., KfW, EBRD, AFD, CEB; China, etc.), EU funds, bilateral grants (e.g., Germany, Swiss, etc.) and private sector resources.

Coal Mines Sector

• To achieve the objectives of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (INECP) in the most cost-efficient manner, investments should be made to modernize Serbia's coal mining industry. This is essential, considering that coal extraction and processing significantly contribute to methane (CH4) emissions.

Oil & Gas Sector

• Serbia will promote measures to enhance energy efficiency in natural gas infrastructure, which will also contribute to the reduction of methane emissions through the implementation of new technologies. (INECP)

Cross Sector

• Serbia released a progress report on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 to determine where progress is being made and where additional support is needed. (2023)
• Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy developed a report in 2021 on the Implementation of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan for 2018 and 2019.
• Serbia adopted the Climate Change Law to advance efforts towards a net-zero future under the Paris Agreement. (2021)
• The Ministry of Environmental Protection, with the support of EU funds and partners, has launched Innovation Challenges under the “EU for Green Agenda” project. These initiatives aim to engage the community and private sector in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, contributing to the green transformation of the Serbian economy and enhancing the social, economic, and environmental benefits for citizens.

Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions

Explore the following websites to learn more about the Serbian ministries that address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

• Ministry of Environmental Protection
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management
• Activities
• Ministry of Mining and Energy
• Oil and gas sector