Bosnia and Herzegovina must begin adapting to climate change, stated the speakers during a regular session of the Association of Independent Intellectuals "Circle 99" on the topic of "Response to Climate Change and Disasters." The speakers included Aleksandar Knezevic, retired university professor and member of the Committee for EEO of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH, and Nedim Suljic, professor at the University of Tuzla and full member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.

“Developed countries owe their development to nature, while developing countries owe developed nations for the loans and aid they received,” said Knezevic. He emphasized that developed nations are responsible for climate change, as outlined in international conventions, and they must reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Our media and politicians often say that we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. However, according to the convention, we are not obligated to do so unless it aligns with our developmental interests,” Knezevic pointed out. He added that Bosnia and Herzegovina could request technical and financial support for adapting to climate change, particularly in agriculture, which is significantly affected by climate changes.

Knezevic also criticized the focus on building solar panels and demolishing coal power plants, arguing that these actions are not priorities for the country. Instead, he stressed that every development plan, spatial plan, and urban plan must take expected climate changes into account.

Nedim Suljic echoed the urgency of adapting to climate changes, noting the significant rise in average annual air temperature, fewer precipitation events, and lack of snow cover, which are negatively affecting all sectors of the economy. He highlighted the extreme weather conditions in recent years, resulting in material damage and loss of human lives, as seen in Jablanica, Konjic, Fojnica, and in the 2014 floods in Doboj.

Suljic criticized the current legal framework for failing to adequately address climate adaptation needs. He emphasized the need for preventive rather than reactive measures from authorities. He also pointed out that spatial planning has been inadequate, leading to unsustainable construction on unstable terrain, deforestation, and increased risk of flash floods and landslides.

He concluded by expressing disappointment that the authorities have done little since 2001 to adapt to climate change or prevent tragic disasters like those recently seen in Jablanica and Fojnica.