Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at a crossroads – still largely dependent on fossil fuels for energy, yet rich in potential for renewable energy, green industry, sustainable development, and tourism. While the global transition to a green economy is expected to create more than 24 million new jobs by 2030, Bosnia and Herzegovina currently records only 1–2% of employment in green sectors.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, only 1.5% of jobs fall under so-called “green occupations” – jobs related to energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, waste management, and ecological design. Most of these activities are concentrated in sectors requiring advanced technical skills and growing demand, particularly in construction, energy, and waste management.
On the other hand, investments in energy efficiency (EERE) show strong potential for job creation. A UNDP BiH analysis conducted on a sample of 34 public and institutional buildings across the country (schools, health centers, sports facilities, and administrative buildings) with a total budget of 6.5 million BAM found that each million invested generated an average of 96 full-time jobs. These buildings, covering a total heated area of 77,147 m², were subject to energy efficiency measures such as insulation, window replacement, façade and roof upgrades and improvements to electrical and mechanical systems.
These results confirm that investing in green sectors not only contributes to climate goals but also directly impacts job creation and the strengthening of local economies. However, one fundamental question remains: where are the women and other marginalized groups, and what about the other sectors?
According to available data, women make up 52.4% of the total population in Bosnia and Herzegovina, approximately 1.79 million people. However, their participation in sectors such as energy, construction, and mining – currently the drivers of the green transition – is less than 20%. In agriculture, only 18% of women own farms, despite the fact that they make up a large portion of the rural workforce.
At the same time, there are between 300,000 and 569,000 persons with disabilities living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, depending on the source (2013 census and 2017 registries). More than 60% of them are unemployed, placing them among the most excluded social groups in terms of access to the labor market. While there are individual initiatives for inclusion, such as IT training or subsidized employment, these are limited in scope and lack systemic support.
The green economy is not merely an energy or economic shift – it is a societal transformation. Without women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, this process cannot be fair or sustainable. Therefore, inclusiveness must be at the heart of the green transition – not as an option, but as a necessity. Additionally, investing in eco-friendly production, tourism, and rural activities still needs to become a central focus.
Where Is Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Green Transition?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is among the countries that have clearly expressed a commitment to sustainable development. As a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement, a member of the Energy Community and a participant in the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, BiH is formally part of the global community striving to address climate challenges.
However, when it comes to practical implementation, the green transition process in BiH is still in the development phase. The pace of implementation varies, and certain elements of the strategic framework are still awaiting finalization and alignment.
Some key challenges facing the country include:
- A Climate Change Law at the state level has not yet been adopted, limiting the establishment of a clear and comprehensive institutional framework.
- The National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), a mandatory document under the Energy Community, has not been finalized and lacks social and gender components necessary for a just transition.
- Integration with the EU ETS system and preparation for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is still ahead and represents a critical step, particularly for domestic industries exporting to the EU.
At the local level, Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) have been developed in a number of municipalities, often with the support of international partners. However, there is a need to strengthen institutional coordination between entities, cantons, and local communities, and to secure long-term budgetary support for climate action.
Currently, green policies in BiH are not fully integrated into the planning and development sectors, and more attention is needed to incorporate gender perspectives and social equity into these processes. BiH is thus in an early stage of the green transition – a stage with strong commitment but also a need for systemic solutions to make the process more effective, inclusive, and focused on long-term goals.
One important step in this direction is the more active inclusion of women – in decision-making, and in the creation, implementation, and monitoring of green policies. Their perspectives, experiences, and knowledge can significantly contribute to the quality of the transition and ensure that the green economy in BiH is truly fair and sustainable.
Women in the Shadows of Strategies – but at the Heart of Change
Although rarely mentioned in strategic documents and development plans, women in Bosnia and Herzegovina already play a crucial role in everyday, local efforts to protect the environment and build more sustainable communities. However, official data indicate a significant imbalance when it comes to their participation in key green economy sectors.
Only 18% of women own agricultural holdings, despite often being the main drivers of food production, especially in rural areas. The lack of land ownership directly affects their ability to access subsidies, credit and education.
The gender perspective is almost entirely absent from climate and energy strategies at the entity and cantonal levels, meaning that the needs, potential and obstacles women face are generally not recognized or addressed in public policies.
Women across BiH are increasingly leading local initiatives, organizing eco-actions in their communities, launching recycling projects, engaging in ecological agriculture and developing micro-enterprises in sustainable tourism. However, without systemic and institutional support, their contributions remain invisible. The lack of access to information, financial instruments, training, and development programs often prevents them from transforming their ideas into sustainable business models and long-term change. In a time when sustainability has become a global priority and climate change ever more present, empowering women in green sectors represents one of the most important steps.
The green transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina will not look the same in Sarajevo, Bihać, Mostar, or Banja Luka. This regional diversity is a strength because it allows for targeted and gender-sensitive interventions tailored to the specificities of each area.
In Sarajevo Canton, where more than 60% of the unemployed are women, there is strong potential for green sector employment thanks to a developed educational infrastructure and programs such as GIZ SEDEP, which already integrate green and digital skills into vocational schools. Focusing on energy efficiency, information technology, circular economy, and solar technology could become powerful tools for women’s economic empowerment.
Una-Sana Canton, with its natural resources and the Una National Park, offers ideal conditions for the development of women-led entrepreneurship in sustainable tourism, ecological production, and energy. Here, training, mentorship and grant programs are especially important to help women in rural communities use local resources sustainably.
In Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, tourism and hydropower dominate but women are almost invisible in these sectors particularly in technical, managerial, and innovative roles. Establishing incubators for female startups, local partnerships, and easier access to finance could open doors for more women to contribute to these strong economic branches.
In rural cantons such as Tuzla, Zenica-Doboj, and Central Bosnia, women are the backbone of agricultural production but often lack access to land, credit and technology. Programs from organizations like FAO and UN Women already provide education and support, but their systematization and integration into cantonal policies are essential for long-term impact.
Republika Srpska has abundant resources, forests, hydropower and arable land, but women in the fastest-growing green sectors are still mostly in low-paid and informal jobs. However, local energy cooperatives, smart urban projects in Banja Luka and Bijeljina and agroecological practices offer space for greater integration of women into sustainable and innovative development pathways.
Brčko District, as a unique administrative unit in the country, has all the prerequisites to become a laboratory for inclusive green policies. Its institutional flexibility, smaller territorial complexity, and developed administrative structure allow for easier testing of pilot models that combine energy efficiency, women’s entrepreneurship and social innovation, potentially serving as an example for other local communities throughout BiH.
Through these localized approaches, the green transition can become not only sustainable but truly fair – including women as equal agents of change, not just program beneficiaries.
Green Economy as an Opportunity for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is at a crucial turning point – between the legacy of fossil fuel-based development and the opportunity to join the global wave of sustainable growth. The country’s wealth of natural resources, geographic diversity and local initiatives provide a foundation for a successful transition. With the right legislative and strategic steps, better coordination, and use of available funds, the green economy can become a pillar of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s new development paradigm.
In addition to being an ecological imperative, the green transition is also an economic opportunity. Through investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, circular economy and sustainable agriculture, BiH can reduce its dependence on energy imports, create new jobs and increase the competitiveness of its domestic economy. At the same time, integration with European climate and energy standards can accelerate EU accession and attract international investments.
The green economy is not a luxury, but a strategic path toward a society that is more resilient, just and economically prosperous. To make this a reality, BiH must recognize the green transition as a priority not only of environmental but also of development policy – with clear plans, partnerships, and the inclusion of all social actors.
References:
- International Labour Organization (ILO), World Employment and Social Outlook 2018: Greening with Jobs
https://www.ilo.org/global/publications/books/WCMS_628654/lang–en/index.htm - UNEP, Green Economy and Trade: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities, 2013
- Energy Community Secretariat, Annual Implementation Report 2024 – Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Regional Cooperation Council, Green Agenda for the Western Balkans – Action Plan, 2021
- UN Women Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gender and Climate Change: A Policy Brief for BiH, 2023
- GIZ BiH, SEDEP II Program – Reports and Policy Papers, 2022–2024
- FAO & UN Women, Empowering Women in Agriculture – BiH Case Study, 2022
- European Commission, Enlargement Package 2023: Bosnia and Herzegovina Progress Report
- World Bank, Western Balkans Regular Economic Report – Green Transition Focus, 2023
- UNDP BiH, Green Jobs: Analysing the Employment Impact of Energy Efficiency Measures in BiH, 2022
https://www.undp.org/bosnia-herzegovina/publications/green-jobs-analysing-employment-impact-energy-efficiency-measures-bih - UNDP BiH, Zeleni poslovi: Prilike za zapošljavanje kroz energetsku efikasnost, 2021
https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/ba/zeleni-poslovi-english-pages.pdf - Agency for Statistics of BiH, Popis stanovništva 2013: Rezultati po spolu i starosti
https://popis2013.stat.ba - UNFPA BiH, Population Dynamics and Demographic Trends in BiH, 2023
- UNDP BiH / MyRight BiH, Izvještaj o osobama s invaliditetom u BiH, 2017
- OSCE BiH, Employment of Persons with Disabilities – Analytical Overview, 2021