Six Ambassadors Wrote to Authorities: BiH Suffers Damage Due to Non-Adoption of Energy Efficiency Law

In a joint letter sent by the Ambassadors of the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Federal Republic of Germany, and Sweden, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina/European Union Special Representative, and the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, the Prime Minister of FBiH, and relevant ministers, they expressed strong support for the adoption of the Law on Energy Efficiency of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reports Patria.

The adoption of the Law on Energy Efficiency of FBiH has been pending since 2013, which has caused numerous problems in the implementation of activities in the field of energy efficiency in the Federation of BiH. Due to delays in the adoption of the law, citizens are unable to enjoy the benefits of systematic implementation of energy efficiency measures in their daily lives.

Furthermore, Bosnia and Herzegovina has not fulfilled its legal obligations from the Treaty establishing the Energy Community, which is an important element in the EU accession process. Most importantly, as long as the framework law is not adopted and the accompanying legal regulations are not drafted, Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to be unable to leverage the benefits of energy efficiency measures that would significantly contribute to the sustainable development of the economy and the living standards of its citizens.

The energy efficiency sector has significant untapped potential that can provide economic and environmental benefits, such as investments, new jobs, reduction of harmful emissions, energy savings, and cost savings. Analyses of the draft National Energy Efficiency Action Plan show that the investment potential in BiH is as high as KM 5 billion. Very few economic sectors in BiH have such a clear potential that offers mutual benefits to both the private and public sectors as is the case with the energy efficiency sector.