Structure :
1. Introduction
2. The adaptation challenge
2.2 It might be better to start from general to specific, which means
regional profile before country profiles
3. Analysis of Climate Change Issues in SEE Countries
It would be better to organize each topic (water, natural resources, energy
and human activities) following the same structure, for instance:
a. Definition (of water, natural resources, energy and human activities)
– it seems obvious, but it might be interesting to know what exactly
natural resources means for example –
b. What is the situation ? (a kind of overview, but I personally don’t
really like the term “overview”)
c. How would it change ? (trends)
d. What kind of Impacts ?
Content:
General remarks:
- The title: I would consider changing it, removing “for Reducing Security
Risks”, as security has really not been addressed.
- General introductions and conclusions to each chapter are missing as well
as the general conclusion of the report. In the general introduction, it should
be explained the purpose of the report. The same for each general chapter.
- Slovenia is part of the EU but it has been included as a SEE country. Please
verify.
1. Introduction
-
Is it really necessary to speak about sustainable development? It do
not think it is necessary; this report is about CC and adaptation and
policy responses in SEE (anything else?) so the introduction should
speak about this. Please see my comments in the enclosed chapter1.
2. The adaptation challenge
-
(2.1) Seems too long for an overview
(2.2.1) Country profiles may need different information (we should
chose if you just give some succinct information in boxes, or if we give
more detailed information with a proper map for each country)
(2.2.2) Regional profile seems to be unbalanced and incomplete
(population part is far too long and simple geographical information
should be given – climate, type of vegetation, etc…). Furthermore, this
-
part could be re-organized with clear subtitles like economy, population,
land-use, etc… I find the part currently messy. I fully agree with all the
comments, I just would like to add that there is information not relevant
that should be removed (e.g. the gender ratio, ageing population).
IN addition, not all the CC risks have been addressed, there is missing
information.
(2.2.3) The table could be simplified and standardized (it would be
easier to read).
3. Analysis of Climate Change Issues in SEE Countries
- Chapters 3.1 and 3.2; I agree with the need of a reorganization, it is not clear
to me why there is a chapter on Water and another one on “Natural
Resources”, I would merge them. My suggestion is to use the three main
pillars of the sustainable development definition to create two chapters:
environmental impacts and socio-economic impacts (just two chapters to keep
the balance between them as there is much more information about
environmental than socio-economic impacts).
Within each chapter, I would include the following topics:

Environmental impacts include: water, agriculture & forestry,
biodiversity & ecosystems, coastal zones (which are missing in the
report).

Socio-economic impacts include: energy, tourism, health (missing
in the report), buildings and transportation (or infrastructure).
If you do not agree with the topics selected (you want to merge them or add
more), please just follow one single criteria (I would suggest IPCC) and use it
in the entire report.
-
(3.1) It might need reorganization according to the structure I proposed
above. And it’s maybe a little bit too long…
(3.2) It might need reorganization according to the structure I proposed
above.
o 3.2.2.1 Intensity and trend of pressure should be simplified
o 3.2.2.2 It’s not clear how illegal cutting is linked to climate
change (is it really an impact ? or more a consequence ?).
o 3.2.2.2 “Fire is itself a cause that can increase climate change impacts since,
beyond the loss of forest, it creates problems to soil, highlighting the erosion effects.
On the other hand the fire is an event that happen more frequently due to the
climate change. » I think that those kind of things need to be clarified
-
and documented. How exactly fires increase with climate
change ? (this is more a general remark)
o 3.2.2.3 what is the real impact on protected areas ?
o 3.2.2.4 this is a consequence and not an impact… why do we
speak about tourism here ? This chapter is about natural
resources.
(3.3) It might need reorganization according to the structure I proposed
above.
-
(3.4) It might need reorganization according to the structure I proposed
above.
o 3.4.2.1 “Agriculture is also the cause of air pollution” We’re not
speaking anymore about impacts. There’s a huge confusion
within this chapter (3.4) between impacts, consequences and
influences.
o 3.4.2.2 same problem : this part speaks about the negatives
impacts of the industry on environment. But what we need here
is how the industry will be affected by the climate change.
o 3.4.2.3 same problem
o 3.4.2.4 impacts and consequences are mixed up.
4. The political and legislative response to adaptation challenges
This chapter is more a list of policies, which exist at the moment
The chapter includes a lot of information on the EU accession process which I
think is not relevant and should be removed.
Information should be reorganized starting from general to specific.
The chapter should be focused on specific CC and adaptation policies
developed by each country. Country adaptation priorities are another
important topic not addressed.
At some point and if it has not been done by the countries, I would suggest to
make an analysis of the country most urgent adaptation needs, based on the
country environmental and socio-economic situation. This would be the added
value of this report.
5. The adaptation management and governance in South Eastern
Europe: options for the future
I didn’t have enough time to read carefully this last part…
In order to set up a regional framework or agreement, we need to know if
there are and which are the SEE countries adaptation priorities.
Is not clear to me why a partnership with an international institution would be
the best option to better guarantee a stable and long-term cooperation among
the SEE countries. This needs more explanation.
If the analysis at the end of page 4 is not possible, I would consider including
specific policy options and tools to the current CC impacts.
Please be careful with the wording (also chapter4). It seems that the only
reason for SEE countries to develop an adaptation strategy is to access the
EU.
llustrations and graphics:
Most of table should be simplified and redesigned, but most of the information
is here.
In my point of view, we miss a lot of maps (and I think, there are a lot that
should be removed, especially in chapters 2 and 3)
I didn’t have time to look carefully all the figures yet. But almost all of them will
need some work.
Many tables and graphs have no explanation in the main text or analysis.
Much of them have also been included not following the main text were they
are mentioned but one or two pages after, which makes the lecture not “userfriendly”.
General remarks:
First of all, there’s a huge problem about the language. Some parts are just
badly written, but some others are unreadable. Some parts if the report should
be rewritten…I fully agree, it is not easy to find the link between each chapter,
paragraphs and sentences are too long and several ideas are very often
mixed in one sentence.
The report should include more in depth analysis; it is very descriptive and
also too prescriptive.
Secondly, the first part seems too long comparing to the second part (or the
second part seems too short comparing to the first part). I’m not sure if it’s
possible to change it, but I just tell you my impressions.
I think is possible to shorten and a lot the first part, please see my comments
in the enclosed chapters 2 and 3.
Adaptation to new format:
PART I
1. Introduction (not more than one page)
2. Overview of the climate change challenge on the international,
European and regional level
3. Country profiles (with maps)  factual
4.
5.
6.
7.
Climate change and water
Climate change and ecosystems
Climate change and Energy
Climate change and Human activities
(agriculture)
This part should
be the main part !
Following this structure for the four sections:
a. Status
b. Impacts
c. Solutions (physical)
PART II
1. Political and legislative response to adaptation challenge
a. International level
b. The European level
c. See level
2. Adaptation management and governance in SEE