26.06.2024.
The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, continues to invest in projects aimed at reducing the use of ozone-depleting gases and in programmes to remove waste from nature.As a result, today the Fund has published two new public calls to finance the replacement of harmful refrigerants and drives to move discarded cars and electronic devices from nature.
Five million euros will be invested through the Fund’s former public call to finance projects aimed at reducing the consumption of ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases. Fluorinated GHGs contribute to global warming, and it is vital to use such gases for heating and cooling that do not have such a negative impact. Within the framework of the public call, the replacement of refrigerants in existing water coolers and heat pumps, large air conditioning systems and cooling systems in cold stores will be financed.
The new Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases, amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 significantly reduces quotas of fluorinated gases that can be placed on the EU and the Croatian market. So, the Ministry, through the Fund, uses the resources provided from the Emissions Trading System (ETS) to encourage the implementation of projects that will replace the existing AC systems with energy-efficient ones that emit lower amounts of harmful emissions. A total of 54 similar projects were financed under the Fund’s previous two public calls. In the upcoming period, the Ministry will also direct funds to help the public sector and the economy take the necessary steps for the climate transition.
In the latter public call launched by the Fund, local units on islands are invited to apply for participation in the implementation of organised drives for the removal of end-of-life vehicles and waste electrical and electronic (EE) equipment. The owners of discarded motor vehicles and EE equipment are largely unknown, and the removal of this waste is often very demanding due to inaccessible locations. That is why the Fund often carries out such actions together with authorised collectors and in cooperation with the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service. So far, about 130 end-of-life vehicles have been removed from Croatian islands. Island towns and municipalities can apply 31 October 2024 for new campaigns to be organised in their area, which are planned to be carried out during off-peak tourist season.
