Trgovska Gora radioactive waste dispute

A dispute has emerged between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding a proposed radioactive waste disposal center at the Čerkezovac site near Trgovska Gora.

A scientific study by the University of Banja Luka, published in the journal ‘Sustainability’, identified significant concerns regarding ecological injustice. The research found that over 80% of surveyed residents in Bosnian border communities believe the site selection process is non-transparent and exclusionary, and they support the right to participate in decision-making despite being located outside the country making the formal decisions.

Diplomatic and procedural tensions have since escalated during environmental impact assessment sessions. Representatives from the Republic of Srpska Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction and Ecology have criticized the consultation process, alleging that invitations to the Bosnian delegation were ‘pro forma’ and that they were provided insufficient time and materials to prepare. While the project is managed by the Fund for Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Disposal of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, Bosnian officials have challenged the assessment that cross-border environmental impacts would be ‘negligible or very small.’