4C4Danube

Carbon Neutral, Circular, Competitive and Better-Connected Spačva basin
This action is addressing the 3rd objective of Mission Ocean-carbon neutrality and is linking three missions: ocean, climate and soil. The objectives of the action are:
a) contribution to climate neutrality according to the Mission Ocean, Seas and Waters objectives by assessing opportunities for a carbon sequestration capacity increasement using NBS,
b) promotion water potentials and blue economy among Vukovar-Srijem County (VSC) citizens.

VSC is rich in terms of forest potential and capacities for the cultivation of fast-growing plants due to good soil characteristics, air quality and optimal water potential. The forest potential is mostly represented by the Spačva, largest coherent complex of lowland pedunculate oak forests in Europe, and the water potential is based on the Danube River and its tributaries: Sava, Bosut, Vuka, Studva, Spačva, Biđ and Berava. Spačva basin, with high quality of raw wood material Slavonian oak (Quercus robur), covers area of 51.000 hectares – 40.000 hectares in Vukovar-Srijem County, Croatia and 11.000 hectares in Serbia. These both potentials represent a chance for the cultivation of so-called short rotation coppice that could be used for a carbon sequestration increasement which is one of the project’s goals. The first step is an environmental impact assessment on how the planting of short rotation coppice influences the area of the Danube River in terms of biodiversity, ecological and environmental protection. 4C4Danube will explain whether the short rotation coppice planting in mentioned areas (not used for agriculture) can have harm effects to the environment or is it harmless for the natural ecosystems. The crucial action is an engagement of all value chain categories that play an important role in determination of possibilities for the carbon sequestration increase, as well as possibilities for the environment actions in line with nature protection standards (involvement of policy, science, industry, NGOs etc.). The knowledge transfer will be an important factor for a successful story to be tested with other best practice examples from several EU countries which increase the sequestration capacity according to their nature protection standards. 

Vukovar-Srijem County is one of the least developed counties in Croatia (NUTS-3), nevertheless rich in natural resources. To improve County’s potential regarding EU standards, policies and instruments, multidisciplinary (ecology, hydrology, hydrobiology, agriculture, forestry, social sciences), multi-actor approach (science, industry, policy, citizen and education) and knowledge transfer will be needed for a support of sustainable blue, carbon neutral, circular and competitive bioeconomy. This can be achieved through the public mobilisation and engagement and quality knowledge triangle. In line with the mentioned, the 4C4Danube will organize tailor-made events to promote blue economy and importance of the Danube River Basin in terms of ecology, economy and society. By the awareness raising campaign on importance of a blue and carbon neutral economy, preconditions for the job creation in blue economy sector will be met. In this multi-actor, interdisciplinary, local and regional based action, CEKOM will be the backbone in the connection between EU and local level.