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Elena Meleshkina

Elena Meleshkina

  • Joined: October 6, 2024
  • Articles: 50

Building a Balkan Regional Platform for the SDGs : Interview with Kosta Živanović

Kosta Zivanovic
How can the Western Balkans deliver the SDGs amid war, heat, and rapid technological change? In this interview, SDF President Kosta Živanović details th e Forum’s 2025 agenda—competitiveness in turbulent times, the energy paradox, near-shoring and resilient supply chains, and scaling AI and clean tech. He explains why Belgrade can act as a regional hub and how SDF connects local actors to global standards to turn goals into practical action on energy, food systems, and governance.

Balkan Green Cities: Greening the Urban Fabric and Why It Matters

Athens
Across eight Balkan green cities, we compare total green infrastructure and accessible urban green using EEA metrics and municipal datasets. The piece traces how geography and planning traditions shape outcomes, then spotlights flagship projects—from Athens’ Ellinikon to Belgrade’s Linear Park and Tirana’s Orbital Forest. We conclude with tiered, finance-aware recommendations that help city leaders turn green on paper into green on foot.

Wildfires Surge as Climate Heats Up, Says New Study

If there’s one image that captures the brutal reality of global warming, it’s wildfire: scorching heat, ash-filled skies, charred forests. But behind the dramatic scenes lies a growing and measurable climate risk. A new study published in Nature Communications reveals…

Lisbon Launches Citywide Reusable Cup Scheme

Lisbon has become the first European capital to roll out a citywide reusable cup system aimed at cutting single-use waste from nightlife and street events. Every night, around 25,000 disposable cups are tossed in the trash across the city’s bars…

Smarter Transport for the Western Balkans: An Interview with Matej Zakonjšek

Matej Zakonjšek
Transport is more than infrastructure—it connects people and builds opportunities. In this interview, the Transport Community outlines how it is integrating Western Balkan transport with the EU, modernising rail, reducing border delays, and promoting sustainable mobility. From Green Lanes to the Belgrade–Niš railway, EU-backed projects are transforming the region’s connectivity, while smart mobility and clean urban transport remain key priorities. The vision: a seamlessly connected Western Balkans as part of Europe’s sustainable future.

Green Lending Pays Off for BRICS Banks, Study Finds

A new study published in China Finance Review International reveals that BRICS banks—including those in Russia—benefit financially when backing sustainable and tech-savvy borrowers. Analyzing data from 2015 to 2023, researchers found that banks extending loans to companies with strong ESG…

Air Quality in the Balkan Capitals: Confronting the Urban Sustainability Challenge

Air Quality in Balkan Capitals
Air quality in the Balkan capitals remains a defining challenge for the region’s urban sustainability goals. This article explores how pollution, carbon emissions, and weak governance are constraining progress in Western Balkan cities. Despite lower per capita emissions, cities struggle to decarbonize due to fossil fuel dependence and outdated heating and transport systems. Public health impacts are severe, yet policy responses remain fragmented. The piece concludes by calling for a strategic shift from declarations to action to secure a sustainable urban future.
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