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Herzegovina–Neretva Canton: From Credits to Opportunity — Stewardship, Partnership, Progress
As for Zoran Matelja, Project Manager for the Pathways2Resilience project in the Hutovo Blato Nature Park in Herzegovina–Neretva Canton, the path toward nature protection and climate action can be summed up in three commitments: stewardship, partnership, and progress.
These commitments capture both the technical work underway and the community spirit guiding it. Assigning value to nature—through carbon and nature credits—is not an endpoint but part of a broader transition that weaves biodiversity conservation into local economies and EU-level frameworks.
Framing Nature Value with Purpose
A key development in the canton is the systematic analysis of carbon and nature credits for Nature Park Hutovo Blato. These calculations provide a foundation, but they must be integrated into a formal EU register and policy framework — a register that is expected to be established by 2028. That timeline shapes how the canton plans, moves, and positions itself.
“We have analysed and estimated carbon and nature credits for Nature Park Hutovo Blato. These valuations still need to be incorporated into an EU-level framework, and the register for nature credits is expected by 2028”, stated Zoran Mateljak, Project Manager for the Pathways2Resilience project in Hutovo Blato Nature Park.
Turning Conservation into a Shared Opportunity
Technical accounting is only one piece of the puzzle. Equally important is the canton’s effort to reframe conservation as an economic and social opportunity rather than a regulatory burden. The goal is to engage businesses as partners— so that conserving nature becomes a value-creating activity for communities and companies alike.
“We want to make friends with businesses so they don’t see nature conservation and climate action as a pain in the neck or merely a legislative obligation. We want to turn nature conservation into a business opportunity.”, stated Zoran Mateljak.
A Strategic, Progressive Approach
Herzegovina–Neretva Canton is working progressively to be among the first to join the EU register, aligning local initiatives with upcoming EU standards and creating pathways for finance and recognition. This forward-looking stance combines careful analysis with proactive outreach, ensuring that when the EU framework is ready, the canton will be prepared to participate and benefit.
Looking Forward
As for Zoran Matelja, stewardship, partnership, and progress guide the canton’s strategy: protect valued ecosystems like Hutovo Blato Nature Park, build trusting relationships with the private sector, and move steadily toward integration with EU mechanisms. In doing so, Herzegovina–Neretva Canton aims not just to meet future requirements but to shape a model where nature protection and economic prosperity reinforce each other.
