Did you know that the rate of premature deaths caused by air pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost four times higher than the European Union average? As the infographic shows, BiH records around 2.6 premature deaths per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to an EU average of just 0.7. This places Bosnia and Herzegovina among the countries suffering the most severe consequences of air pollution in Europe.
These figures are not accidental. According to the Framework for Green Industrial Policies in the Western Balkans, countries in the region – and BiH in particular – face long-standing structural challenges: a heavy reliance on coal, outdated energy systems, inefficient household heating, and a high concentration of industrial and transport emissions. Air pollution directly contributes to higher rates of heart and lung diseases, strokes, and cancer, with disproportionately severe impacts on poorer populations and urban communities.
The report clearly indicates that the Western Balkans have the worst air quality in Europe and that air pollution causes thousands of premature deaths every year. These losses are not only a public health issue – they also carry serious economic costs, including higher healthcare expenditures, lost working days, and reduced productivity. At the same time, the report emphasizes that solutions already exist – and that they are economically viable. Renewable energy sources are now, in many cases, cheaper than fossil fuels, while energy efficiency measures and the modernization of heating systems can simultaneously reduce pollution and lower energy bills. The shift to clean energy directly contributes to reducing emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is the main driver of the health impacts highlighted in the infographic.
Green industrial policies, as defined in this framework, offer an integrated response by linking cleaner energy, a healthier environment, and social justice. Investments in renewable energy, building energy efficiency, and the gradual phase-out of coal not only improve air quality but also create new, higher-quality jobs and reduce energy poverty. Special emphasis is placed on protecting vulnerable households during the transition, ensuring that the benefits are shared fairly.
The message from the infographic and the report is unequivocal: air pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the cost of an outdated energy model. Continued reliance on coal means continued high rates of premature mortality, rising health costs, and deepening social inequalities. In contrast, investing in clean energy and green industrial policies is an investment in longer, healthier, and better-quality lives for citizens.
Clean air is not a luxury, but a fundamental right. Learn more about the recommendations for the Western Balkans here.