Dispatch from Croatia | February ‘25
***Our weekly Dispatches provide an overview of the most relevant recent and upcoming developments for the shift to climate neutrality in selected European countries, from policy and diplomacy to society and industry. For a bird's-eye view of the country's climate-friendly transition, read the respective 'Guide to'.***
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
- Climate adaptation for Zagreb – The city of Zagreb now has a draft programme for the mitigation and adaptation to climate change and protection of the ozone layer for the years 2025 to 2028, which is an obligation for every county and bigger city in Croatia. The programme proposes measures to adapt to and mitigate against climate change in every aspect of city life. This includes setting targets for tree planting and proposing the development of new parks, urban gardens, the expansion of geothermal energy for heating as well as that of green roofs, and promoting water conservation measures, public transport development, and the establishment of public cycling networks. Over the past decade, Zagreb has seen an increase in mean and maximum temperatures, longer heat waves, more tropical nights, and more frequent and intense extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and gale-force winds.
- New gas and oil wells - Vermilion Zagreb Exploration and Ina, two companies testing wells in Sisak-Moslavina County in central Croatia, have found hydrocarbons in all four wells. Oil and gas were found in one well, and gas in the other three. The companies plan to develop these wells and also look for possible new wells in the area. The Croatian government is putting a lot of resources into developing gas infrastructure, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal for the import of gas from the U.S. on Krk island.
- Renewable energy conferences - Two regionally important conferences are coming to Zagreb in March. Solar Flex Croatia 2025 will discuss the integration of flexibility in the power grid, with a special focus on battery systems. The RE-Source Croatia 2025 conference will focus on the development of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which are multi-year fixed-price contracts between renewable power suppliers and companies. Both are organised by the Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia association, which brings together producers of electricity from renewable sources.
The latest from Croatia - last month in recap
The latest from Croatia - last month in recap
- Small modular nuclear reactors - The economy ministry established a working group for nuclear energy which will be tasked with exploring legislative amendments to pave the way for the construction of small modular nuclear reactors. The reactors, known as SMRs, could be established in Croatia in ten years at the earliest, the ministry says. The task force would explore the most suitable locations, as well as participate in the development and analysis of energy development scenarios which include nuclear, and lay the groundwork for the setup of a nuclear energy agency as a regulatory body. SMRs are not yet developed commercially. Croatia currently owns half of the Krško nuclear power plant, which is located in Slovenia.
- Citizen energy on the rise - In Križevci, a small town 60 kilometers north-east from Zagreb, the foundation panel of the first solar power plant in Croatia 100 percent citizen-owned, was installed. With this, the ZEZ Sunce cooperative marked the beginning of work on the construction of a power plant with an installed capacity of 200 kilowatts (kW) on the roof of the City Market – it represents the concrete foundation of domestic energy in the hands of Croatian citizens.
- Investing in transport infrastructure - For the first time in 15 years, Zagreb got a new tram which will run on the city's regular lines. It is the first of a total of 40 contracted low-floor trams, all of which are equipped with regenerative braking to reduce their energy consumption. The hope is that the trams will provide a solution to traffic problems in the years ahead.
- Electric vehicles factory soon in Zagreb - Construction of the first factory for autonomous electric vehicles in Croatia has begun in the suburbs of Zagreb. The project is jointly realised by Verne, a Croatian company that develops an innovative ecosystem of urban autonomous mobility, and the European company VGP. The factory should start operating in 2026. Initially, it is planned to hire 400 people.
Marina's picks - reading recommendations
Marina's picks - reading recommendations
- Sign language lacking climate terminology - If you communicate via sign language, can you discuss climate change? This interesting article claims that it is very difficult to communicate the issue of climate change in Croatian sign language. When it comes to climate change terminology, Croatian sign language expert Dorijana Kavčić, from the Linguistics Department of the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb, says that no new signs appear, and the issue is not being dealt with.
- Climate change and amphibians and reptiles - The Hyla Association, an NGO that advocates for nature protection and biodiversity, will hold a panel on 4 March on the impact of climate change on amphibians and reptiles. Warm winters seem to disrupt the hibernation of these animals more and more. The discussion will be held online and is free to attend.
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