I am an active politician and currently serve as Deputy Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County. My work covers a wide range of areas – from infrastructure development and agriculture to the advancement of tourism and environmental protection.

I have been involved in politics for many years, but I have never seen it as a stage. For me, politics means serving people. Perhaps my greatest challenge is that I don’t think in terms of positions, but in terms of impact. My ambition is broader: I want to bring about positive change, inspire as many good people as possible to get involved, and together realize visions that will benefit the community.

Our coastal cities, such as Split, Kaštela, Solin, and Trogir, are among the most endangered due to rising sea levels and storm surges. By the end of this century, scientific data predicts a sea level rise of 60 to even 80 cm, which would further increase the risks of flooding, soil salinization, and coastal erosion. The capital of our county, Split, has become approximately 1.3 °C warmer compared to the 20th century. The number of days with temperatures above 27 °C has significantly increased — from fewer than one day per year to even 14 days. Dalmatia is increasingly affected by prolonged periods of drought.

The challenges include reduced yields, the need for irrigation, and increased risks of floods and soil degradation. Heavy rainfall, especially in the mountainous and inland parts of the county, causes flash floods and soil erosion. This further threatens ecosystems, infrastructure, and cultural heritage.

Imagine a summer day in Split in 2050. The sun is even stronger than today, and the sea has already dangerously swallowed parts of the coast where we once swam. The waves are stronger, and when the rain comes, it is no longer gentle and quiet – but short and fierce. These are all consequences of climate change that our county is already experiencing.

All these threats highlight how important it is to invest in adaptation: green infrastructure, nature-based solutions (NbS), integrated spatial plans, and strengthening community resilience.

As a young person, I grew up with climate change and embraced nature as an ally in life and problem-solving. I am deeply aware that NbS projects require political will just as much as scientific knowledge. Politicians, whether we like it or not, have the power to set priorities, participate in shaping frameworks, secure funding, and involve communities in a broader vision of sustainable development. If they incorporate climate change adaptation and NbS into their programs and development plans, they send a clear message that this is the direction in which the county is moving. When politicians show readiness to implement pilot projects in their municipalities, towns, or counties, they set an example for others and make wider acceptance easier.

The political scene, in which I actively participate, has decided not to wait for the future unprepared. Several years ago, strategic documents were adopted – such as the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and the Green County Action Plan – which clearly show the direction: nature protection and community resilience to climate threats. Before that, in 2021, we adopted the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan, which outlines concrete actions for preserving ecosystems and developing blue and green solutions. I am aware that change cannot be stopped with a magic wand, but we can adapt, protect ourselves, and live in harmony with nature.

Today, among other things, through the DesirMED project, we are working to embed nature-based solutions even more strongly into our official policies and strategies. In my political work, I will use my public appearances to promote the importance of nature-based solutions, encourage the creation of special budget lines, direct regional and national funds, and act as a bridge for cooperation – between scientists, local communities, NGOs, and the private sector – in order to strengthen the space for joint action through consultations, working groups, and partnerships.

Croatian Version

Klimatski Ambasador-Hrvatska

Stipe Čogelja

Aktivan sam političar i  trenutno obnašam dužnost zamjenika župana Splitsko-dalmatinske županije. Moj posao obuhvaća niz područja – od razvoja infrastrukture i poljoprivrede, do unapređenja turizma i  zaštite okoliša.

Politikom se bavim već godinama, ali nikada je nisam doživljavao kao pozornicu. Za mene politika znači servis ljudima. Možda je moj najveći izazov to što ne razmišljam o funkcijama, nego o učinku. Ambicija mi je šira: želim donijeti pozitivne promjene, potaknuti što više dobrih ljudi da se uključe i zajedno ostvarimo vizije koje će koristiti zajednici.

Naši obalni gradovi poput Splita, Kaštela, Solina i Trogira su među najugroženijima zbog porasta razine mora i olujnih valova. Znanstveni podaci predviđaju porast razine mora od 60 do čak 80 cm do kraja ovog stoljeća, što bi dodatno pojačalo rizik od poplava, salinizacije tla i erozije obale.

Glavni grad naše županije, Split je postao otprilike 1,3 °C topliji nego u 20. stoljeću, a broj dana s temperaturom iznad 27 °C znatno je narastao — s manje od jednog dana godišnje na čak 14 dana. Dalmacija je sve češće pogođena dugim sušnim razdobljima.
Izazovi uključuju smanjenje prinosa, potrebu za navodnjavanjem i povećane rizike od poplava i degradacije tla. Oborinski valovi, osobito u gorskim i unutrašnjim dijelovima županije, uzrokuju bujice i eroziju tla. To dodatno ugrožava ekosustave, infrastrukturu i kulturnu baštinu.

Zamislite ljetni dan u Splitu 2050. godine. Sunce je još jače nego danas, a more je već opasno  progutalo pojedine obale na kojima smo se nekoć kupali.  Valovi su snažniji, a kiše, kad dođu, više nisu blage i tihe – nego kratke i silovite. Sve to su posljedice klimatskih promjena koje naša županija već osjeća.

Sve ove prijetnje naglašavaju koliko je važno ulagati u prilagodbu: zelena infrastruktura, prirodna rješenja (NbS), integrirane prostorne planove i jačanje otpornosti zajednica.

Kao mladi čovjek s klimatskim promjenama sam odrastao i prigrlio prirodu kao saveznika u životu i rješavanju problema. Duboko sam svjestan kako NbS projekti trebaju političku volju jednako kao i znanstveno znanje.  Političari, sviđalo nam se to ili ne imaju moć definirati prioritete, sudjelovati u stvaranju okvira, osiguravanju sredstava i uključivanju zajednice u širu viziju održivog razvoja.  Ako u svoje programe i razvojne planove ugrade prilagodbu klimatskim promjenama i NbS, šalju jasnu poruku da je to smjer u kojem županija ide. Kada političari pokažu spremnost da u svojim općinama, gradovima ili županijama provedu pilot-projekte, daju primjer drugima i olakšavaju šire prihvaćanje.

Politička scena, a u čijem radu aktivno sudjelujem odlučila je ne čekati budućnost nespremna. Još prije nekoliko godina doneseni su strateški dokumenti – poput Strategije prilagodbe klimatskim promjenama i Akcijskog Plana Zelena županija – koji jasno pokazuju smjer: zaštita prirode i otpornost zajednice na klimatske prijetnje. Prije toga, 2021. godine, donijeli smo i Plan integriranog upravljanja obalnim područjem, koji predviđa konkretne akcije za očuvanje ekosustava i razvoj plavih i zelenih rješenja. Svjestan sam da se promjene ne mogu spriječiti čarobnim štapićem, ali se možemo prilagoditi, zaštititi i živjeti u skladu s prirodom.

Danas, među ostalim i kroz projekt DesirMED, radimo na tome da prirodna rješenja još snažnije ugradimo u naše službene politike i strategije.

U svom političkom radu koristit ću svoje javne istupe za promicanje važnosti prirodnih rješenja, poticanje otvaranja posebnih proračunskih linija, usmjeravanje regionalnih i nacionalnih fondova te biti most za suradnju – znanstvenika, lokalnih zajednica, nevladinih organizacija i privatnog sektora, a kako bi osnažili prostor za zajedničko djelovanje kroz savjetovanja, radne skupine i partnerstva.