Croatia presents climate spending plan for 2026-2030 green transition

Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition of Croatia, Marija Vučković, presented the Plan for the Use of Financial Resources Generated from the Sale of Emissions Allowances through Auctions in the Republic of Croatia for the 2026–2030 period, one of the key strategic documents in the field of climate policy.

She emphasized that Croatia is, for the first time, systematically planning the use of revenues from the sale of emissions allowances, with funds collected through the EU ETS system amounting to €650 million being directed toward projects that contribute to the green transition and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, CE Report informs via the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition's official website.

“Emissions trading is one of the most effective mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the European Union level, while also generating significant revenues that will be fully directed toward the green transition and sustainable development. These €650 million will be invested in further decarbonization, as well as in the introduction of low-carbon technologies and innovations in industry, agriculture, and other economic sectors, along with measures to reduce energy poverty and lower costs for citizens and businesses,” Minister Vučković said.

She added that special emphasis is being placed on developing a green economy without job losses, with the most significant investments directed toward public transport to reduce traffic congestion and harmful emissions.

“Through energy renovation measures, including the installation of heat pumps and solar panels in households and public institutions, we will further reduce energy poverty and increase the efficiency of the public sector,” Vučković stressed, adding that investments in waste management and the procurement of electric vehicles will contribute to cleaner air, greater energy independence, and a more competitive economy.

She also noted that a significant portion of the funds is intended for sectors outside the EU ETS system, including buildings, agriculture, waste management, and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as for climate adaptation measures and ecosystem protection.

She recalled that the Plan is aligned with existing initiatives such as the use of funds from the Modernisation and Innovation Funds, as well as with the national Social Climate Plan, a draft of which has already been submitted to the European Commission.

“Today we are talking about one of the key instruments of the green transition — revenues from emissions allowances, which represent one of the most important sources of financing for our Fund,” said Fund Director Balen, noting that the €650 million will be directed where it is most needed — into energy renovation of buildings, development of photovoltaic power plants, promotion of renewable energy use, development of e-mobility, industrial decarbonization, and projects for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

He highlighted that the Fund has, through its programs, renovated around 38,000 family houses and co-financed more than 15,000 renewable energy systems, mostly photovoltaic installations.

“We will soon launch a new public call worth €38 million, aimed at further strengthening citizens’ resilience to the energy crisis and accelerating the green transition,” Balen added.

Director of the Climate Transition Directorate Mario Stipetić presented the Fourth National Plan for the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Republic of Croatia.

He stressed that Croatia, as a party to the Convention since 2007, has continuously implemented measures to reduce the impact of persistent organic pollutants, which pose a risk to human health and the environment due to their persistence and toxicity. The Convention refers to persistent organic pollutants — chemicals that are difficult to break down in the environment, often linked to pesticides and industrial processes, and capable of having long-term negative effects on human health and ecosystems. Croatia has so far implemented three national plans (2008, 2016, and 2021), and is now adopting the fourth, which continues and builds upon existing measures.

“The Fourth National Plan defines concrete activities to further reduce exposure to these substances, strengthen monitoring systems, and protect human health and the environment. The plan is implemented through improved waste management, remediation of contaminated sites, and public education and awareness, including energy efficiency measures in households and the replacement of inefficient heating systems,” Stipetić said.

He added that the plan will be implemented within existing institutional capacities, without additional burden on the state budget.

The presented documents confirm Croatia’s commitment to further strengthening its climate and environmental policies, as well as protecting health, the environment, and sustainable development.

Both documents will be submitted for public consultation.

Photo Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition