Minister Pavkov: Serbia replaces 5,436 individual heating systems

Serbia has made substantial progress in environmental protection over the last five years, replacing over 5,400 individual heating systems and hundreds of boilers in public facilities to reduce air pollution.

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In the past five years, 5,436 individual heating systems have been replaced in the Republic, 267 boilers in public institutions in 93 local self-government units, and 230 boilers in terms of sanitation in as many local self-government units.

Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov announced that 5,436 individual heating systems and 267 boilers in public institutions across 93 municipalities have been replaced. Additionally, 230 boilers in similar institutions underwent sanitation. These measures are part of a broader strategy to improve air quality, particularly in cities like Belgrade, where an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 individual heating systems are in use.

The government is also tackling waste management and water pollution. By 2030, Serbia plans to operate eight regional waste management centers and 20 wastewater treatment plants. This initiative aims to ensure that half of all household municipal waste is managed in sanitary landfills. Beyond waste, 1,263 illegal dumps have been cleared, 19 unsanitary landfills have been rehabilitated, and nearly 500,000 trees have been planted as part of reforestation efforts.

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By 2030, Serbia will have eight regional centers for waste management, 20 wastewater treatment plants, and every second kilogram of municipal waste from households will be disposed of in a sanitary landfill.

Despite these efforts, the scale of the environmental challenge remains significant. Radomir Lazović, head of the Green-Left Front parliamentary group, pointed out that an estimated 15,000 people die annually in Serbia due to air pollution. He also highlighted that 85% of wastewater is discharged directly into waterways, and many citizens lack access to clean drinking water, underscoring the urgent need for continued and intensified environmental action.

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Every year in Serbia, 15,000 people die from the consequences of air pollution, 85 percent of wastewater is released directly into watercourses, and a large number of citizens do not have drinking water.