Law on Climate Change

Serbia’s Law on Climate Change regulates greenhouse gas emission reduction and adaptation to a changing climate. Strategies and programmes frame public policy, while permits, monitoring, reporting and verification establish duties for particular operators. Reducing the causes of climate change and adapting to its consequences are connected but different goals: a heat resilience plan is not the same document as an installation’s emissions report. The relevant activity and data category determine which obligations require examination.

The ministry responsible for environmental protection plays a central role alongside other public authorities and institutions working within their remits. Operators must check whether their activity falls within the law and which permit and monitoring rules apply. Do not assume every business has the same regime merely because it uses energy or releases gases. Verification of data and public scrutiny of policy are also different from an inspection report concerning a local source of pollution.

Residents can use the law to examine policy goals, measures, data sources and implementation reports. For a local concern, identify the adaptation measure needed, the document providing it and the responsible institution. Request available information and compare the period, coverage and methodology of emissions data. Increased flood or heatwave risk does not by itself establish a particular operator’s legal responsibility. Compensation, health protection and immediate danger may require other laws and additional evidence. Climate planning should be read alongside the practical duties of the responsible service.

The law was published in Official Gazette 26/2021 on 23 March 2021 and entered into force on 31 March. Article 77 rules for aircraft operators apply from 1 January 2023. Some transitional operator deadlines depend on adoption of implementing regulations, so they should not all be calculated from the law’s publication. No newer adopted amendment was confirmed in official sources. The law does not create an automatic individual compensation entitlement for every climate-related effect.

This is Avangarda’s informative editorial overview and translation, not an official translation. For a particular case, check the current law through the official source, relevant implementing rules and individual decisions, and seek qualified legal help where needed. This overview does not replace the legislation or a competent authority’s decision.

Helps track climate policy and understand operator duties and the difference between emission reduction and adaptation.

Residents, communities, organisations, journalists, covered operators and public authorities; particular obligations do not apply equally to all businesses.

When checking climate programmes, requesting emissions information or investigating adaptation measures and operator obligations.