In the first six months of 2025, a total of 77 environmental complaints were received through the Green Phone. Of those, 44 were resolved by the end of June, representing a 57% resolution rate. This percentage highlights room for improvement, particularly in more complex cases involving competent institutions and lengthy administrative procedures.
Most commonly reported issues
By far the most complaints – 21 (27%) – were related to waste, confirming that inadequate waste management remains a key environmental challenge in the region. This was followed by 18 reports (24%) concerning the sea, including marine pollution.
Issues concerning green areas (12 reports / 16%) also stood out, while topics such as water, animals, forests, noise, and air were reported less frequently but are equally important from an environmental protection standpoint.
The highest number of reports was recorded in January and May, with the trend continuing into June – likely due to the start of the tourist season, which increases sensitivity to marine pollution. Anyone who notices marine pollution is required to report it immediately to the relevant authorities, and citizens are taking this responsibility seriously.
As the tourist season approaches, we remind everyone that marine pollution should be reported to:
- the competent port authority or its branches (for pollution caused by individuals, boat owners, or captains)
- the county 112 center (for sudden marine pollution or extraordinary natural events at sea as defined by the National Plan).
Reports should include the exact date and time of the pollution, location (preferably GPS coordinates), and any available information about the potential source (e.g., type and registration of the vessel, vessel name, owner or captain details). If possible, photo or video documentation should also be submitted.
The case of chestnut tree removal in Gundulićeva Street, Split
In January, we received a report of tree destruction on Gundulićeva Street in Split. According to citizens, several trees were removed as part of the “Split – Solin Agglomeration Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvement Project.” During excavation, the roots of six chestnut trees –each up to 15 meters tall – were damaged.
Despite clear provisions in Split’s Urban Plan (GUP) regarding the protection of greenery, including this specific tree line, the public company Parkovi i nasadi d.o.o. removed the six trees, stating that root damage had made them unstable and dangerous to pedestrians and traffic.
Sunce submitted two requests for access to information. However, the responses received did not clarify the legal or professional basis on which the trees were deemed a threat, nor was any documentation provided about possible preventive measures that may have been considered. The investor, Vodovod i kanalizacija Split, stated that they would compensate for the damage by planting new trees.
We believe that a key element is missing in this process – tree valuation. Urban trees are not just decorative, they are essential for air quality, noise reduction, temperature regulation, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Although the chestnut trees were formally protected under the GUP, their ecological and financial value was never assessed, and the damage was not quantified. In countries like Switzerland or the UK, tree damage is clearly valued. For example, cutting down a tree in an urban setting can result in fines of tens of thousands of euros per tree, depending on the species, size, and age.
Without adopting such a standardized approach in Croatia, there is no clear financial accountability, and greenery will continue to be collateral damage of construction works, parking lot expansions, and similar activities.
During a panel discussion organized by Permaculture Dalmatia on June 12, former Deputy Mayor Bojan Ivošević stated that residents had planted chestnut trees over pipelines, leaving no alternative in this case. Sunce clearly emphasized that it was unacceptable that citizens were not timely informed about the consequences of the works, nor included in discussions that could have produced constructive proposals for preventive measures. Instead of focusing on prevention, time was wasted on correspondence between our staff and City representatives following what was claimed to be unavoidable damage.
This case clearly shows the need to:
- establish a systematic and transparent framework for protecting urban greenery, with every intervention accompanied by professional assessment and tree valuation
- introduce standardized methods to assess the ecological, aesthetic, and financial value of trees, so that damage can be quantified and accountability ensured
- ensure timely and clear communication with the public to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings and loss of trust
- revise existing procedures and legal frameworks to protect greenery from irresponsible interventions in the future.
Sunce will continue to monitor the project and advocate for the establishment of tree valuation standards and changes to procedures in future infrastructure projects to prevent similar incidents.
Cooperation within the Green Phone Network
In the first half of 2025, most reports to Sunce’s Green Phone came from Split-Dalmatia County (80%), with a smaller number from Dubrovnik-Neretva County (4%).
However, a growing trend of complaints from other counties (up to 16%) suggests that our communication campaigns are reaching a wider audience and increasing both the visibility and credibility of the Green Phone service beyond our core area. Sunce is a member of the Green Phone Network and covers the Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva Counties.
Regardless of where a complaint originates, we do our best to advise all citizens who contact us and forward information to the appropriate organizations within the Green Phone Network to ensure timely and effective handling. The network consists of organizations across Croatia that provide joint support to citizens. If you are from another county, you can contact the following associations:
- Šibenik-Knin County: Krka-Knin Environmental Association – [email protected]
- Zadar County: Eko Zadar – [email protected]
- Primorje-Gorski Kotar County: Žmergo – [email protected]
- Istria County: Zelena Istra – [email protected], [email protected]
- City of Zagreb, Bjelovar-Bilogora, Sisak-Moslavina, Brod-Posavina, Krapina-Zagorje and Zagreb Counties: Zelena akcija – [email protected], [email protected]
- Karlovac and Lika-Senj Counties: Eko Pan – [email protected]
- Međimurje, Varaždin and Koprivnica-Križevci Counties: Nobilis – [email protected], [email protected]
- Osijek-Baranja, Vukovar-Srijem, Virovitica-Podravina and Požega-Slavonia Counties: Zeleni Osijek – [email protected].
Supported by the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency
The project Green Phone – Lend your voice to the environment! continues to be co-funded in 2025 by the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency, now for the third year in a row. This support ensures the sustainability of the service and the continuation of quality cooperation with citizens and institutions.
The first half of 2025 confirmed that citizens actively use the Green Phone as a tool to report environmental issues, contributing to protection and preservation of the environment. The Green Phone remains a key tool for environmental protection through collaboration between citizens and civil society organizations. In the coming period, we will continue working toward more effective response systems, strengthening cooperation with institutions, and educating the public about their rights and options for taking action.
Every report, every photo, every phone call can be the first step toward a cleaner, healthier environment. Thank you to everyone who has taken action – let’s continue protecting what we all share!