engleski

True Colour of Croatian Economy:Blue, Green, Rose...?

Croatian strategies and action plans look at the future through rose glasses: GDP will grow (Strategic Development Framework 2006-2013), growth will be sustainable (Sustainable Development Strategy), environment will be protected (National Environment Strategy ; Energy Development Strategy) ; high social standards will be applied: equal opportunities will be provided for disabled, children, women, elderly (Joint Memorandum on Social Inclusion of the Republic of Croatia). Most of this is supposed to be achieved between 2013 and 2020. However, the economy has the blues: GDP is decreasing, CO2 emissions are likely to exceed Kyoto target, and unemployment is rising, foreign investments falling. Structural reforms are necessary for changing this trend. According to the UNEP, moving towards a green economy must become strategic economic policy agenda for achieving sustainable development (UNEP, 2011). A green economy recognises that the goal of sustainable development is improving the quality of human life within the constraints of the environment, which include combating global climate change, energy insecurity and ecological scarcity. In addition to elimination of environmental problems and scarcities, a green economy must also address the concern of sustainable development with integration equity and eradicating poverty. In this paper we analyse to which extent Croatian development strategies support greening economy. It starts with brief overview of current situation. Next, goals as defined by development strategies and action plans are identified. As the energy sector has the largest potential for greening the economy, review of implementing instruments and their effectiveness in energy sector follows. Based on the identified practices, we outline the potential of a green economy to be used for improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

green economy; energy; Croatia; renewable energy; energy efficiency

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