Despite being a small country with less than a million people, Montenegro belongs to a small group of 16 countries world-wide, out of 197, that have already met its obligation of 30% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions the way before the deadline of 2030. Montenegro is determined to reach green transition, while is already leading in the use of renewable energy sources – with more than half of the electricity produced from renewable energy sources annually.

Today, more than ever before is clear that there is no time for complacency. The adoption of a more ambitious national target by Montenegro in run up to 26^th UN Climate Change Conference which aims to reduce its GHG emissions by 35% by 2030 is very likely to keep its front-runner position. However, maintaining the top performer status is much harder than achieving it, so reaching the carbon neutrality by 2050, with zero GHG emissions EU is striving for, will be an ambitious undertaking.

If we know that the required economic recovery from the crisis involves new investments, preservation of existing jobs and a creation of new ones, while gradually reducing revenue dependency on tourism sector, it is clear that achieving carbon neutrality for Montenegro will require bold steps. Firstly, we will need to reframe the Pljevlja thermopower plant challenge and reflect not only on the best technological solution, but a complex challenge it truly is. The discussion about alternative employment opportunities must start immediately, so Pljevlja’s communities could imagine future without coal in 20 and more years and have enough time to adjust and take advantage of new business opportunities. Secondly, economic recovery should not be seen only through the prism of potential revenues – the key principle in deciding on new investments and creating economic growth opportunities must be GHG emissions reduction. With adopting innovative practices and business models, the private sector in Montenegro has already shown competitiveness and contribution to an incremental green transition. Finally, small changes, such as energy efficient measures in public and residential buildings or investment in e-mobility, will play a key role in achieving carbon neutrality.

Why does the contribution of Montenegro to the Paris Agreement on the grander scale of global challenge matters? The response is clear: we all need positive examples of system transformation at scale that fundamentally changes well-being of people and which send a strong signal that change is possible, thus making Montenegro a model for the region and rest of the world. 

Montenegro, like many countries who have the least contribution to the rising global temperatures, are bound to face consequences of global warming, such as increased floods and droughts, warming of the sea waters, water scarcity and damage to ecosystems, which will have an undesirable domino effect on human health, economy and sectors depending on predictable weather patterns, such as agriculture, forestry, tourism.

Over the past decade the Western Balkans have felt the force of uprising nature. The 2010 floods are still a painful reminder of more than 9,300 people from Montenegro forced out of their homes. The increase in frequency of erratic weather patterns, which is a result of climate changes, leaves Montenegro with no other option but to turn its attention to identifying risks pursue appropriate climate adaptation measures. At the same time, climate-induced phenomena are often exacerbated by human activity driving unmanaged urbanization and inadequate waste management. Hence, any climate adaptation measures need to also drive changes in human behaviour and continuous implementation of laws aimed at preventing undesirable human activities. Understanding the dynamics of climate change and strengthening Montenegro’s ability to cope with its future impact is envisaged by a three-year project, which is funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by UNDP, in cooperation with ministries and state institutions in charge of ecology, tourism, agriculture, water, health and finance.

While adaptive measures, such as building dams and stabilizing riverbeds, may entail additional upfront costs, the cost-effectiveness of such initiatives is reflected in reducing risks, preventing financial loss and saving human lives, which is priceless! According to some estimates, overall return on investment in climate resilience is high - for 1 euro invested, we get up to ten times more income.

Economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19 cannot entail going back to where we left in 2019. If we do that as a humankind, we haven’t learnt our lesson yet. We must show the same courage and responsibility throughout climate crisis as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of our Climate Promise, UNDP is committed to continue to work with Montenegro towards revising its Nationally Determined Contributions and increasing its GHG emission reduction, primarily in the energy and transportation sector. Montenegro is setting a new goal – reducing GHG emissions by 35% by 2030. This does not stop the country from looking into Nationally Determined Contributions sooner than the regular five-year cycle and being more ambitious in creating measures, with our teams ready to provide support.

Today we mark the World Environment Day, which is dedicated to ecosystem restoration and it is the right time to be serious and resolved. If we do not address climate change and its consequences properly, we stand on the way to the recovery of our planet. And the truth is, as the celebrated British naturalist David Attenborough said, that the natural world will rebuild – with or without us!