16 February 2009: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Croatia has released the 2008 Human Development Report for Croatia, subtitled “A Climate for Change: Climate Change and its Impacts on Society and Economy in Croatia.” 

The Report accounts for current impacts of climate variability and potential impacts of climate change in several sectors of the Croatian economy, including tourism, which generates 20% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 28.7% of total labor. It identifies how an estimated 3 to 3.5 degrees Celsius increase in temperature will affect public health, the environment and industry.  
The launch of the report was hosted by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesić, who noted that the financial crisis should not divert attention and resources from climate change mitigation. Yuri Afanasiev, UNDP Resident Representative in Croatia, added that, although climate change will pose threats to human development, there is a “climate for change” in Croatia that can provide the motivation needed to address the challenges. [UNDP Press Release] [Croatia Human Development Report]