"Individual coal power plants in the Western Balkans emit more than entire countries in the EU", revealed a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and CEE Bankwatch Network.

In 2019, the sulfur dioxide emissions of the 18 Western Balkan coal power plants were twice as high as the sulfur dioxide emissions of all the 221 coal power plants combined in the then 28 EU member states.

For example, Serbia’s Nikola Tesla A plant alone exceeds the total emissions of the highest emitting EU country, Poland.

"Continuing with business as usual is not an option", the report concludes. “Public health is being seriously compromised by the massive pollution being pumped out by the Western Balkan coal plants." That's why the authors of the report urge for a transparently planned transition from coal towards a power sector based on sustainable forms of renewable energy.

They recommend all the Western Balkans governments to:

• Take disciplinary and/or legal action against plant operators failing to take action to remedy coal plant pollution,

• Ensure compliance with the operating hours for plants that are under the Large Combustion Plant’s opt-out regime

• Draw up realistic coal phase-out plans to ensure that obsolete plants are closed as soon as possible

• Ensure compliance with the National Emissions Reduction Plans and install pollution control equipment for plants that need to operate for several more years.