Human Development Report - Croatia 2008 Evaluation of Current Activities to Mitigate Climate Change – Institutional Analysis^22313.3.3. Information available for smaller-scale
energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and
renewable energy – the public and smaller
organisations
In addition to larger-scale efforts to reduce emissions,
actions by individuals and small organisations will
have an important effect on climate change mitiga-
tion within Croatia. International organisations, gov-
ernment entities, NGOs, the education system, and
labelling programmes all play a role in this field. To
advance human development in terms of knowledge
about climate change and taking action to prevent cli-
mate change using resources efficiently, information
must be made available to the public and smaller organi-
sations.
As has been noted, the Government has moved for-
ward in demanding energy labelling for various prod-
ucts, including automobiles. Further improvements
could be made by actually listing the increased costs
to the consumer for the extra energy needed for ap-
pliances, automobiles, buildings, etc. This will be nec-
essary for fulfilling the requirements of the acquis
communautaire and will also help consumers make
educated choices about the products they buy.
In addition to mandatory labelling, various NGOs have
expertise in spreading information about energy effi-
ciency and RES measures to SMEs and the general popu-
lation. For example, Green Action, which is affiliated with
Friends of the Earth International, runs a summer camp
to teach about solar collectors and other such technolo-
gies and is a regional leader in this practice among NGOs.
ZMAG, an NGO knowledgeable about alternative tech-
nologies, has been working with schools and other insti-
tutions to install renewable technologies that will reduce
emissions. The Regional Environmental Centre (REC)
has also been involved in promoting energy efficiency
measures and co-generation projects especially orient-
ed towards SMEs around the country. The organisation
DOOR works closely with many members of FER and
operates a web-portal (www.mojaenergija.hr) that pro-
vides information for citizens and organisations about
issues related to energy. The Croatia Expert Society for
Solar Energy has been encouraging the proliferation of
renewable solar energy. In addition to these national
level NGOs, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, which is affili-
ated with the international Green Party, plans to be more
involved in climate change issues in Croatia in the future.
Support for NGOs in Croatia primarily comes from funds
such as the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the World Bank,
the EU, various embassies, the National Government and
other international donors. Very few NGO development
models, based on either membership fees or a business-
oriented approach for selling products for revenue are
currently being implemented within the NGO commu-
nity. This may undermine sustainability in the long term.
However, with the emergence of the EU as a major do-
nor and Government funding sources such as the Fund
for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency and
MEPPPC,IX it may be possible for NGOs to continue to ex-
pand their activities.Figure13-2: Cover of the book “The Drop that Spills Over
the Glass: Climate Change – the World and Croatia”IX The Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Plan-
ning, and Construction has a small grants programme for NGOs and
other actors that is often utilised for public education. See http://
http://www.mzopu.hr/default.aspx?id=5594.