Pristina, air is the unhealthy “” 50% of the time

INDEP published research on the quality of air in Kosovo. According to this research, in Pristina, data provided by the Kosovo Environment Protection Agency (AMMK) shows that the air is the unhealthy “” 50% of the time, “very unhealthy” 20% of the time and the dangerous “” 5% of the time.

When air is rated either as highly unhealthy or dangerous, the entire population can, or likely, experience serious health effects”, the report says.

According to the report, energy, industry, transport, agriculture and waste are considered the main sources of pollution.

“against the adoption of laws for air protection and a similar legislative framework, Kosovo is still far from EU standards. The air condition in the region has proved harmful to the population and environment”, the INDEP report follows.

The report recommends that the municipalities impose stricter control of family heating by employing more inspectors, preventing the burning of lignite on the stove, being fined for burning coal and waste, as well as also by investing in renewable energy and central heating systems.

The municipalities can also apply incentives for replacing old domestic stoves with new ones, using less polluting fuels for renewable alternatives.

For vehicles, the report suggests that incentives should encourage the use of a better fuel and strict control of fuel quality and regulation should be established.

“should be implemented a timetable for the use of old vehicles that mostly pollute. The government should not go back to the law banning the importation of vehicles older than 10 years and regular technical controls, as well as the dismissal of cars must be mandatory. It can also be incentives with smaller taxes to buy new cars that pollute less, and to recycle old ones”, the INDEP report recommends.

Similarly, it is said that it should encourage encouragement for people to use alternative transport that produces less pollution in the environment, as well as Government should invest in better public transport, developing the railway sector and improving public transportation in urban areas.

According to INDEP, when the level of pollution reaches high levels, the rules can be applied as in most large cities of the European Union, which is the ban on circulation in city centres, allowing free public transportation, implementing rationing of roads as an alternative daily, based on random or even equal lines.

As for the management sector, INDEP says it is necessary for the government to make informed energy elections, based not only on

The economic aspect, but also in a cost-profit analysis. This should include impact on health and environment, as well as Kosovo should invest more in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The recommendations are said to require greater access to air pollution information so that the public can participate in decision making and be informed.

“Improvements cannot be done without political will to act. Meaningful involvement is needed to make the air situation in Kosovo priority, including providing adequate financial sector and better administrative capacities. The role of the judiciary in the environment sector must be much more powerful, to implement existing” legislation, the report said.