Dispatch from Croatia | May ‘25

***Our weekly Dispatches provide an overview of the most relevant recent and upcoming developments for the shift to climate neutrality in selected European countries, from policy and diplomacy to society and industry. For a bird's-eye view of the country's climate-friendly transition, read the respective 'Guide to'.***

• Local elections – The first round of local elections in Croatia is scheduled for 18 May when citizens will vote for new mayors, city councils, county prefects and county councils. In case none of the candidates for mayor's and prefect's position receive more than 50 percent of the votes, there will be a second round two weeks later. Political campaigns have not produced much in the way of substantive discussion, and have mostly featured personal slander and accusations of corruption, with the green transition out of focus. Issues such as solar photovoltaic installations on public roofs and the development of public transport are included in some parties' pre-election programmes. On one topic of the green transition, NGO Bicycle Syndicate polled mayoral candidates, asking 87 in the 16 largest cities in Croatia about their opinions and plans to develop sustainable transport methods and usage of bicycles in cities. Only 20 candidates answered, all showing some intention to work on sustainable transport issues, while only one said that she uses a bicycle for transport every day herself.
• Contentious Italian offshore wind farm – Although this is a project in neighbouring Italy, the Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency has opened a public discussion on the environmental impact of the construction of as many as 67 offshore wind turbines in the Italian region of Apulia, in the country's South-West. Under EU rules, the state where the project is planned must examine and address potential adverse environmental impacts across borders. Bordering countries have the right to participate, which means that the offshore wind farm "Tramontana" will undergo a public consultation in Croatia too. The public can send comments until 29 May.
• State subsidies for solar panels for citizens – Homeowners will be able to apply for subsidies for solar panels installed in 2025 from 6 June. The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, a state-owned fund that finances energy transition projects, launched a public call to that effect and made ten million euros available. Households can receive up to 50 percent of the project's cost.
• 100% renewable by 2030 – Greenpeace Croatia will present a report titled “100% Renewable by 2030 - A Plan for the Croatian Electricity Sector” on 5 June. After the presentation, a panel discussion will be held on the topic of transitioning to 100 percent renewable electricity in Croatia, with an emphasis on the main steps and recommendations for reaching this goal. Since Croatia does not have an ambitious state plan, this initiative can be an important advocacy tool for promoting greater official ambitions.

• Careful with the reforestation at scale – Large-scale reforestation is not always beneficial, NGO Sunce from Split claims in this interesting article. Monocultures and indiscriminate planting can disrupt natural processes, reduce biodiversity and increase the risk of new fires. The article states that natural succession often leads to more diverse and stable ecosystems than mass reforestation provides.
• Dark side of tourism – BalkanInsight elaborates on how mass tourism is causing environmental damage and transforming Croatian towns and cities into "theme parks", a valuable read before planning summer holidays.