Environmental permit gaps in Serbia and scooter regulation issues in Zenica

In Serbia, up to 150 of the country's largest polluters have been operating without necessary environmental permits for a decade. Although legislation requiring these permits was introduced in 2004, with deadlines originally set for 2015 and subsequently extended to 2024, only 67 permits have been issued out of 220 required operators. A new law on integrated pollution prevention and control was recently adopted, which includes a six-month period to re-identify facilities requiring integrated permits. These permits are designed to assess a facility's total environmental impact—including air, water, waste, and noise—using the best available technologies to minimize pollution.

In Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the rise of electric scooters is creating urban mobility challenges due to a lack of national legislation and clear local rules. Current infrastructure often forces scooters, cyclists, and pedestrians to share narrow sidewalks, leading to safety concerns. Local cycling clubs and citizen forums are advocating for clearer regulations, such as expanding bicycle paths and establishing age limits for riders, while waiting for state-level legal frameworks to be implemented.