Cross-Boundary Cooperation Between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Their Neighboring Countries Focusing on an Efficient Hail Protection as an Active Response to Global Climate Changes

Abstract

Consequences of climate change affect development processes, geo-system sustainability, the long-term development goals, and provoke raising demand for adequate models and approaches to development strategies. The paper discusses matters related to natural disasters and risk reduction, with a focus on hail occurrence, examining its consequences within Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The final aim of this research is to provide a contribution towards seeking an active response to problems related. Considering a whole range of pertinent geographical facts, historical experiences and presumptions, it has been suggested that the cross-boundary cooperation concept is the optimum solution for the defined problems and achievement of appropriate sustainable development strategy. Therefore, the topic has been addressed through the role and relevance of cross-boundary cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina (focusing only on the B&H entity—Republic of Srpska as a hail-exposed area possessing anti-hail protection) and its neighbouring countries (Croatia and Serbia). Within this context, real and potential hail risks and consequences, as well as measures and long-term activities defined for the purpose of addressing and minimizing these problems, have been discussed. Comparative analyses of relevant indicators and methodological procedures were capitalized in order to meet the primary goal. Among other things, the paper defines measures and long-term activities of mitigation and efficient management of hail risk, in order to improve geo-system sustainability by initiating cross-boundary cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring countries. The paper is both fundamental and applicative and its recommendations can be applied to development strategies and might provide a crucial contribution to the integral sustainable development of the areas along the borderline of the defined geographical region and its geo-systems (ecosystem, settlement system, commercial system, etc.).