International scientific-professional conference
The energy system transformation required by both the EU and the UN has a number of political levers, including measures to reduce the consumption and production of fossil fuels, restrictions on new permits for the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels, changes in legislation, citizens’ awareness, etc.
On the other hand, the Balkan countries remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, both in economics in daily life and in the national treasury. Therefore, in order to carry out the process of decarbonisation, they need financial and technical assistance for the development of new low-carbon industries, as well as managed support for economic diversification and decarbonisation to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
However, the crucial question is whether the energy transition in the Western Balkans can be managed fairly. There are still many doubts about whether it is possible to expand the so-called negative emissions technologies in time, especially in the Western Balkans region.
What to do with the remaining coal-fired power plants (many of which have recently been refurbished), which are still the main generators of air pollution in many major cities in the Western Balkans, and then ultimately in the entire region? What is the role of power plants that still run on fuel oil, and what of those that run on natural gas?
The EU has decided that natural gas still counts as green fuel, just like LPG (UNP, TNG). To what degree can these energy sources contribute to the energy transition of individual countries, especially if we look through the prism of fiscal policy and emissions of harmful gases?
If H2 (hydrogen) is the future, is the so-called grey or blue H2 the only one that is acceptable on the road to the low-carbon society or the main favourite for the race is only green H2?
To what extent do the existing national regulations monitor the current economic situation and to what extent are they just the result of the wish and (non) binding EU requirements?
What is the situation with the fossil fuel market in countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Northern Macedonia, Kosovo, and what in the EU countries – Croatia and Slovenia?
What is happening with the electrification of transport and industry? Do the changes taking place in the energy market of the Western Balkans affect the process of decarbonisation and to what extent, who can pay and monitor it at all?
What are the new technologies that contribute to the decarbonisation of society, especially transport?
What is the fossil fuel market like in the Western Balkans?
Does it have a future or is this the peak of the oil and gas companies’ business followed by a drop in consumption?
Have the latest increases in the price of electricity, natural and liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas put back in the game wood, coal and fuel oil as cheaper fuels?
To what extent do the existing coal-fired power plants continue to pollute the air not only in the Balkans but also in Central and South-Eastern Europe? What are the consequences for human health and the environment?
All these and many other issues will be addressed at the Western Balkans Summit on the Future of Fossil Fuels and the Decarbonisation of Society, which will be held from 17 to 19. 5. 2022 at the Hotel Holiday in Sarajevo.
Join top managers in the energy sector, especially scientists the oil and gas industry, scientists in geology, mining, energy, transport, ecologists, politicians, government officials from the Western Balkan, climatologists, journalists and the diplomatic corps.
Be informed about the situation of the Western Balkans states. Introduce your products and service to business partners. Present new, innovative technologies.
The US and Russia use half of the world’s coal, but will have to leave as much as 97% in the country. Australia, which has recently pledged to continue producing and exporting coal beyond 2030, should keep 95% of its reserves underground. Oil-producing countries in the Middle East are not allowed to extract about two-thirds of their coal reserves, while most of Canada’s tar sands, along with all fossil fuels buried under the Arctic, are not allowed to be burned.
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are the source of just over 80% of the world’s energy. Their combustion accounts for 89% of human CO₂ emissions. To prevent catastrophic global warming, the global community must quickly reduce the amount of the fuels it emits and burns.
To keep global warming at 1.5°C, nearly 60% of global oil and fossil gas reserves will need to remain in the country by 2050. Almost all of the world’s coal – 90% – will have to be spared from factory and electric furnaces. According to the analysis, global oil and gas production must immediately peak and fall by 3% every year until the middle of the century, and at the same time they are increasing everywhere. And now what?