The Head of the Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in BiH, Marie Bergström, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in BiH, Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov and the Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of the Sarajevo Canton, Damir Filipovic signed the Agreement on increasing energy efficiency in 24 public institutions in the Sarajevo Canton.

The funds for energy retrofit, in the total amount of six million KM, were provided by the Government of Sweden, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of the Sarajevo Canton, municipalities Stari Grad Sarajevo, Vogosca, Ilijas, Novo Sarajevo, Hadzici and Ilidza, the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Sarajevo and the Electrical Engineering Secondary School for Energetics. UNDP will implement the works within the Green Economic Development project.

“Environment and climate is one of the two most important priorities of the Swedish Government. I am so pleased to see that government of Sarajevo Canton is eager and committed to make Sarajevo cleaner and a more enjoyable place for people. In more comfortable indoor and outdoor environments, kids, professors, doctors and visitors will be more productive, focused and motivated. And more energy efficient buildings will contribute to better air quality in Sarajevo and a better environment in general”, said Marie Bergström, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden.

Municipal mayors, directors and representatives of the public institutions, in which the works will be carried out, also attended the signing ceremony.

The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in BiH, Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov said that the energy efficiency is of great importance for Sarajevo primarily due to the reduction of air pollution. "A systemic approach to energy efficiency and energy management in the public sector will also help the country to meet the Energy Treaty requirements, and will also result in multiple financial, environmental and social benefits," said Khoshmukhamedov.

"A new element of this project, which is different from the previous agreements, is that we have begun energy retrofit in secondary schools and faculties for the first time. Along with the energy retrofit in all 24 facilities, replacement of worn-out and energy-inefficient external joinery, works on boiler rooms and heating bodies, thermal insulation of the outer walls and roofs of buildings, as well as their connection to the district heating system have also been planned," said Minister Filipovic.

He added that the goal of this project was to reduce negative impact on air quality, rationalise energy consumption costs, save budget funds and increase comfort for the users of the institutions.

The Green Economic Development (GED) project contributes to the establishment of the sustainable energy management system at all levels of authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the aim to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency of public buildings and reinvestment of financial savings.

Since 2013 the implemented energy efficiency measures in over 140 public buildings resulted in:

• More than BAM 4.000.000 savings in public budgets
• More than 1,700 green jobs created
• Reduction of energy use and savings of over 50%
• CO₂ emissions reduced by around 10,000 tons per year
• More than 110,000 users have better indoor conditions

GED project is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the financial support of the Government of Sweden, the Environmental Fund of the Federation BiH and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund of Republika Srpska, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, entity ministries of spatial planning, cantonal ministries, municipalities and other partners.