LocationsProvided through the "Green Economic Development - GED" project
Presentation of the benefits and potentials of energy efficiency measures
October 20, 2022
The Swedish Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Johanna Strömquist and Resident Representative of the UNDP, Steliana Nedera, presented the significant results of the Green Economic Development (GED) project, which is financed by the Government of Sweden and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2013, as well as the environmental and economic benefits of the energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources provided by this project.
The event took place in the Botanical Garden of the National Museum in Sarajevo, one of 275 public buildings in the country that has been improved through the GED project.
Speaking about the support provided to the National Museum through the GED project, in cooperation with UNESCO, the Director of the Museum, Mirsad Sijarić
In the past years, with the help of this project, we replaced 80% of the exterior woodwork of the National Museum, which was badly damaged during the war, and in addition to energy efficiency improvements, this contributed to the protection of the collection located in our premises. Furthermore, thanks to the GED project, the Department of Ethnology received air conditioning system for the first time.Director of the National Museum, Mirsad Sijarić
The event was held under the title "Energy security - potential and benefits" due to the project’s contribution to the reduction of energy consumption by 59% on average. This is a direct contribution to the energy security of BiH, considering the current energy situation and for the transition to environmentally acceptable, alternative energy sources.
Swedish Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Johanna Strömquist
Right now we are facing many different crises at the same time related to climate, energy and security. In many cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina we also have another winter with air pollution ahead of us. The GED project addresses all of these challenges by reducing energy dependency and air pollution while saving public funds and creating new green jobs.Swedish Ambassador, Johanna Strömquist
The event was attended by a large number of representatives of relevant domestic institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, Environmental Protection Funds of the FBiH and the RS, entity and cantonal ministries of spatial planning and energy, municipalities and cities, as well as international organizations, embassies, project beneficiaries from all over the country, and many others.
Resident Representative of the UNDP, Steliana Nedera
More than 5,000 public buildings in BiH still need energy retrofit. With the increased cost of energy and concerns about energy security, it is a smart choice – and a safe and affordable investment – that will bring significant reductions in energy costs to public and private budgets, reduce pollution and improve quality of life.UNDP Resident representative Nedera thanked all partners for recognizing the importance of investing in energy efficiency as well as for cooperation, especially the Embassy of Sweden. She emphasized that the GED initiative has become a catalyst for many other energy efficiency activities in the country, but that these activities should be carried out on a larger scale, everywhere in BiH and much faster.
Energy efficiency is a generator of new jobs and economic development. It stimulates the local economy by engaging the construction sector, labor force and procurement of materials. This has already been achieved to a large extent through the GED project, as it attracted 113 million KM of investments from different levels of government in BiH and donors, which led to over 12 million KM savings in the public budget annually and the creation of over 5,700 green jobs.
