The capital of Bosnia: why Sarajevo is the most polluted city in the world

The Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, has been intermittently engulfed in a toxic haze since the beginning of Decemberwith air quality so bad that on Wednesday it ranked first on a list of the world’s most polluted cities for the second day in a row.

Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, which compiles a real-time list, placed its Sarajevo Air Quality AQI Index at 301, which is in the “very unhealthy” categoryfollowed by 239 in the Indian city of Calcutta.

“This morning I felt like crying because I had to go out and inhale poison to go to work,” said Sarajevo resident Amra Jaganjac. “I know that change takes timebut our authorities are too slow and (pollution) is killing us.”

Historically, dangerously high levels of air pollution in the winter months have been a seemingly intractable problem for Sarajevo.which is nestled in a valley deep in the mountains.

However, the situation has deteriorated further, with emissions and pollution increasing by 3% annually over the last decade due to the proliferation of tall buildings that hinder air circulation, the use of old and highly polluting vehicles and the highest consumption of coal for heating in the city.

Local authorities have recently recognized that air pollution is a serious problem and have begun to take measures to solve it, including gradually improving public transport and increasing the number of energy-efficient buildings.

Sarajevo is one of 100 cities that the European Union is helping to achieve net zero emissions by the end of the decade and is currently developing action and investment plans for climate neutrality in all sectors, including energy and transportationthrough a process that involves the private sector, citizens and research organizations.

High levels of air pollution affect other cities in Bosnia due to the country’s dependence on coal and wood for heating and coal for electricity generation.

According to the World Bank, An estimated 3,300 people in Bosnia die prematurely each year due to exposure to air pollution, which represents 9% of total annual mortality. About 16% of this health burden falls on Sarajevo and the northwestern city of Banja Luka.