AGP Executive Report

Renewable Energy: Croatia’s new 99-megawatt Korlat solar farm near Benkovac is expected to generate enough electricity for 50,000 households. Paired with the nearby wind farm, it forms a renewable energy park, with battery storage under consideration. Water Safety: Zagreb has commissioned groundwater monitoring near the Savica tar pits, where about 33,000 tonnes of hazardous industrial waste lie close to the Petruševec drinking-water supply area. Farm Pollution Concerns: Protesters in Koprivnica are opposing poultry-farm expansion, warning of risks to the Drava, wildlife and local communities. One planned farm near protected areas is set to raise 1.8 million chickens a year. Marine Protection: Off Krapanj, conservationist Kristijan Curavić called for stronger action against ocean pollution during an underwater plastic-removal attempt and urged international cooperation on sea protection.

Groundwater Watch: Zagreb has hired a company to monitor water near the Savica tar pits, where about 33,000 tonnes of hazardous industrial waste sit close to the Petruševec drinking-water supply area. The testing will track whether contamination is reaching groundwater. Megafarm Opposition: Protesters in Koprivnica are opposing a poultry complex near protected areas at Legrad, planned to raise 1.8 million chickens a year. They warn of risks to the Drava, wildlife and nearby communities. Ocean Protection: Croatian conservationist Kristijan Curavić appealed for stronger action against marine pollution during an underwater address off Krapanj, alongside a plastic-removal record attempt. Tourism Pressure: Croatia logged 104.9 million overnight stays through September, with 100.5 million on the Adriatic coast—underscoring the strain visitor growth can place on natural resources and infrastructure.

Factory-Farm Opposition: Protesters gathered in Koprivnica against poultry projects near the protected Drava River. The focus is a Legrad farm already in trial operation and planned to raise 1.8 million chickens a year; campaigners warn of risks to nature, public health and rural communities. Adriatic Conservation: Marine conservationist Kristijan Curavić made an underwater appeal off Krapanj during a plastic-removal record attempt in traditional heavy diving gear. Guinness recognition is pending; he called for practical ocean protection and international cooperation. Waste Concerns: Croatia has expanded a probe into an alleged multimillion-euro toxic-waste scheme, while plans for four waste-to-energy plants raise major questions for national waste policy. Tourism Pressure: Croatia recorded 104.9 million overnight stays through September, with 100.5 million on the Adriatic coast. The figures underline how concentrated visitor numbers can add pressure to infrastructure and natural resources.

Tourism Pressure: A German newspaper warned that chasing higher earnings could undermine Croatian tourism. Foreign visitor revenue rose nearly 5% in the first half of 2026, while heavy reliance on coastal stays puts added pressure on infrastructure and natural resources. Wetlands at Risk: Greenpeace activists protested a proposed Croatian megafarm planned to raise 1.8 million chickens a year, which campaigners say threatens UNESCO-protected wetlands. Waste and Energy: Croatia expanded a probe into an alleged multimillion-euro toxic-waste scheme. The country is also planning four waste-to-energy plants, while ENNA Geo has acquired geothermal assets and wells are being explored in four areas. Regional Climate: Slovenia’s Triglav glacier has melted away, leaving Skuta as the country’s last glacier, now reduced to a small patch of ice. Cleaner Mobility: Dubrovnik is building a Park & Ride facility with electric bus links to help ease traffic around its historic centre.

Tourism Pressure: Croatia recorded 20.1 million arrivals and 104.9 million overnight stays through September, while first-half revenue from foreign visitors rose nearly 5%. The concentration of visitors on the Adriatic is adding pressure to infrastructure and natural resources. Farm Pollution: A proposed megafarm of 1.8 million chickens a year has sparked environmental protests, including a Greenpeace action over threats to protected wetlands. Waste and Energy: Croatia has expanded its probe into an alleged multimillion-euro toxic-waste scheme, and a separate report traced waste from Italy to Gospić. The country is also planning four waste-to-energy plants, while ENNA Geo has acquired geothermal assets. Cleaner Mobility: Dubrovnik is building a Park & Ride facility with electric-bus links to reduce traffic near the historic centre. Regional Climate: Slovenia’s Triglav glacier has melted away, while its last remaining glacier is shrinking after record heat and declining winter snow.

Data Centre and Water: Croatia’s proposed €50 billion AI data centre in Topusko is moving ahead in planning, while questions remain about its environmental costs and heavy water needs. Sustainable Mobility: Dubrovnik is building a Park & Ride facility with electric-bus links, aiming to ease traffic around the historic centre. Factory Farming: Plans for a Croatian megafarm producing 1.8 million chickens a year have drawn environmental protests; Greenpeace activists also protested at a factory farm threatening UNESCO-protected wetlands. Waste and Energy: Croatia has expanded a probe into an alleged multimillion-euro toxic-waste scheme, while separate reports track waste from Italy to Gospić. The country is also exploring geothermal resources and planning four waste-to-energy plants.

Cleaner Transport: Dubrovnik is building a 572-space Park & Ride site at Pobrežje, linking visitors to the Old Town by electric bus to ease congestion. Farm Pollution: Environmental groups want trial operations halted at a planned Međimurje poultry farm that could produce 1.8 million chickens a year, citing odours and manure risks near the protected Mura River landscape. Toxic Waste: Croatia’s Gospić waste scandal involves at least 35,000 tonnes of hazardous material allegedly mislabelled as non-hazardous; tests found PFAS in groundwater at twice the legal limit above an aquifer supplying local drinking water. Tourism Pressure: Plans for 5,000 new beds south of Dubrovnik are raising concerns about overloaded roads, infrastructure and water supplies. Renewable Energy: ENNA Geo has acquired three more geothermal exploration areas, expanding its Croatian portfolio as the resource remains largely undeveloped.

Renewable Energy: ENNA Geo has acquired three Croatian geothermal exploration areas, expanding its domestic clean-energy portfolio as the country’s geothermal potential remains largely untapped. Farm Pollution: Environmental groups are demanding a halt to trial operations at a planned Međimurje megafarm producing up to 1.8 million chickens a year, warning of manure pollution risks to the nearby Mura protected landscape. Toxic Waste: Croatia’s investigation into illegal dumping has focused attention on at least 35,000 tonnes of waste imported from abroad; tests found PFAS in Gospić groundwater at twice the legal limit, threatening a drinking-water aquifer. Tourism Pressure: Plans for 5,000 new beds along the Dubrovnik coast are raising concerns over overloaded roads, infrastructure and drinking-water supplies. Wildfire Damage: A natural disaster has been declared in two Brač municipalities after a fire caused extensive damage and threatened people, animals and property. Adriatic Wildlife: Researchers warn that sardines have shrunk in recent decades amid overfishing and warming seas, with record summer heat adding pressure to the fishery.

Geothermal Energy: ENNA Geo has acquired three Croatian exploration areas, expanding its portfolio as the company develops domestic geothermal power projects. Farm Pollution Concerns: Greenpeace and Croatian environmental groups are demanding a halt to trial operations at a planned Međimurje megafarm expected to produce 1.8 million chickens a year, warning of manure, odour and pollution risks near protected wetlands. Fire Damage: Milna and Nerežišća on Brač have been declared disaster areas after a fire threatened people, wildlife and property. Toxic Waste: Croatia’s investigation into illegally dumped waste has raised concerns over PFAS in Gospić groundwater, which tested at twice the legal limit; authorities say tens of thousands of tonnes of waste from abroad may have been mislabelled. Tourism Pressure: Plans for about 5,000 new tourist beds south of Dubrovnik are prompting warnings that roads, infrastructure and water supplies may not cope.

Factory-Farm Protest: Greenpeace and Croatian groups want trial operations halted at a Međimurje poultry farm planned to produce 1.8 million chickens a year, citing odours, manure and pollution risks near the protected Mura landscape. Waste Crime: Croatia’s expanding probe into illegal dumping now targets 14 people and four companies. At least 35,000 tonnes of hazardous waste were allegedly dumped across several sites; tests in Gospić found PFAS in groundwater at twice the legal limit. Tourism Pressure: Around 5,000 new beds are planned along one already-congested road south of Dubrovnik, raising concerns about water, infrastructure and ecological strain. Croatia’s tourism minister says carrying-capacity studies will help limit pressure on destinations. Fire Damage: A natural disaster has been declared in Brač’s Milna and Nerežišća after a fire damaged property and threatened people and animals. Clean Energy: Croatia has signed a grant agreement to drill four geothermal wells.

Megafarm Protest: Greenpeace and Croatian groups protested a poultry complex in northeast Croatia expected to produce 1.8 million chickens a year, warning that animal waste could threaten nearby protected wetlands and water supplies. Illegal Waste Probe: USKOK has widened its investigation into alleged hazardous-waste dumping near Benkovac and inside Velebit Nature Park. Authorities say at least 35,000 tonnes may have been dumped across several sites. Waste Policy: Croatia plans four waste-to-energy plants for residual, non-hazardous waste as waste per person rises toward the EU average; the proposals would sit alongside 11 planned waste-management centres. Adriatic Ecosystems: Sardines have shrunk by an average of 3–4 centimetres over two decades, with researchers pointing to overfishing and climate change. The Adriatic is warming faster than much of the Mediterranean, adding pressure to fisheries and coastal livelihoods. Tourism Limits: Croatia says it is shifting toward year-round tourism and requiring destination capacity studies to curb peak-season pressure on energy, waste, traffic and parking.

Waste Crime: Croatia has widened its probe into an alleged hazardous-waste dumping network, adding five suspects and three companies. Investigators say the scheme buried or dumped at least 35,000 tonnes across several sites, including Velebit Nature Park. Adriatic Sea: Sardines have shrunk by three to four centimetres on average over two decades, as overfishing and warming waters threaten fish stocks and Croatia’s coastal canning industry. Last summer, the sea surface reached 30°C. Waste Policy: Croatia plans four waste-to-energy plants alongside 11 waste-management centres, as municipal waste generation rises. The facilities would handle residual waste, not hazardous materials. Tourism Pressure: Croatia’s tourism minister says the country needs year-round visitors, not more peak-season crowds. Carrying-capacity studies are intended to help limit pressure from energy use, waste and traffic. Zagreb Air: A strong smell spread across the capital amid reports of poor air quality; the cause was not clear.

Toxic Waste Probe: Croatia has widened its investigation into an alleged cross-border dumping network, adding five suspects and three companies. Authorities say the scheme involved at least 35,000 tonnes of waste, including hazardous material dumped near Benkovac and in Velebit Nature Park. Waste and Energy: Croatia is planning four waste-to-energy plants to handle residual municipal waste and reduce landfill use, as waste generation rises. The proposals add to a planned network of 11 waste-management centres. Renewable Heat: A €35 million grant will support geothermal drilling in Velika Gorica, Osijek, Vinkovci and Zaprešić, with the aim of heating homes and public buildings by 2030. Winter Outlook: A Croatian geophysicist expects an unusually warm, rainy winter as El Niño strengthens, and warns that a warm Adriatic combined with atmospheric disturbances could bring added risks. Pollution Concerns: Reports of a sharp rise in radioactive strontium in Gospić and poor air quality in Zagreb add to local concerns over pollution.

Waste Management: Croatia plans four waste-to-energy plants to handle residual municipal waste and reduce landfill use, alongside 11 planned waste-management centres. Renewable Heat: A €35 million grant will support geothermal wells in Velika Gorica, Osijek, Vinkovci and Zaprešić, with the aim of supplying low-carbon heat to homes and public buildings. Climate: A Croatian geophysicist forecasts a warmer-than-average, wetter winter as El Niño strengthens. Air and Pollution: Zagreb recently reported poor air quality amid a strong smell, while a reported 961% rise in radioactive strontium readings in Gospić has drawn attention to pollution monitoring. River Protection: Campaigners are fighting factory-farm threats to the Drava, part of the “Amazon of Europe.” Tourism Pressure: Croatia’s tourism minister argued against simply adding peak-season visitors, with carrying capacity and residents’ quality of life central to the debate over sustainable growth.

Renewable Energy: Croatia has signed a €35 million grant agreement to drill geothermal wells in Velika Gorica, Osijek, Vinkovci and Zaprešić, with the aim of supplying heat to homes and public buildings. Climate: A Zagreb geophysicist expects an unusually warm, rainy Croatian winter as a strong El Niño develops; globally, September was the second-hottest on record. Tourism Pressure: At a Malta summit, Croatia argued for managing visitor numbers and measuring tourism by its benefits to residents, not just growth. Energy and Development: The planned Pantheon data centre in Topusko would have 1GW capacity, alongside a proposed 500MW solar plant, raising questions about the project’s energy needs. Mediterranean Conservation: At the Med9 summit in Split, Prince Albert II called for regional cooperation, science and financing to tackle environmental crises and protect marine ecosystems.

Geothermal Energy: Croatia has signed a €35 million grant agreement to drill wells in Velika Gorica, Osijek, Vinkovci and Zaprešić, aiming to supply renewable heat to homes and public buildings by 2030. Winter Outlook: A strengthening El Niño points to a warmer-than-average, potentially rainy winter in Croatia, geophysicist Mirko Orlić warns, with a very warm Adriatic adding to concerns about weather disturbances. Energy and Development: The planned €50 billion Pantheon data centre in Topusko is reported to be on schedule, with a 500-megawatt solar plant also planned—putting the project’s energy needs and supply in focus. River Protection: Campaigners are fighting factory-farm plans along the Drava, part of the “Amazon of Europe” river system. Pollution and Cleanup: Reports say radioactive strontium readings in Gospić surged by 961%; separately, removal of non-hazardous waste has begun at a former industrial site there. Air Quality: Zagreb residents reported a strong smell alongside poor air quality, with possible causes under investigation. Climate: September 2026 was the planet’s second-hottest on record, according to NOAA, NASA and Copernicus.