Vojinović: Montenegro belongs to the region of Europe that is most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change

Montenegro belongs to the region of Europe that is most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, announced the director of the Center for Climate Change of the University of Donja Gorica (UDG), Dr. Ivana Vojinović

The Center for Climate Change UDG announced that as part of her official visit to Montenegro, Ana Lirman, State Minister for Europe and Climate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, visited the center.

The announcement adds that Lirman pointed out the importance of the efforts that the European Union (EU) and especially Germany are making in the field of achieving climate neutrality.

"As an important message, Minister Lirman cited the adopted conclusions of the Dubai Climate Conference from December 2023, where the conclusion was reached that the entire world should switch from the use of coal to the use of renewable energy sources. In relation to the above, Minister Lirman emphasized the importance of fair energy transition in the coal regions, which is particularly relevant for Montenegro, and that in that process the energy, environmental and economic aspects that the inevitable transition brings with it must be taken into account. Minister Lirmann also referred to the recently held Intergovernmental Conference between Montenegro and EU, and pointed out that Montenegro has a chance to move closer to EU membership with the accelerated adoption of EU standards," the announcement reads.

The UDG Climate Change Center said that Vojinović informed the minister that Montenegro belongs to the region of Europe that is most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, and that in the last 30 years, the average temperature has increased by 1.1 C.

"Vojinović pointed out the necessity for Montenegro to increase its climate ambition in relation to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the existing 35% to 55% by 2030, as well as to speed up the adoption of the National Energy and Climate Plan, which should integrate climate- the EU energy framework until 2030. The director of the Center informed Minister Lirman that as much as 75% of greenhouse gas emissions in Montenegro originate from the energy sector, mainly from the production of energy based on coal in the only thermal power plant, the Pljevlja Power Plant, and agreed that the process energy transition and the transition to renewable sources must be fair and socially acceptable for the citizens of Pljevlja and the whole of Montenegro," the announcement reads.

Lirmann rounded off her visit to UDG with a lecture to students on the topic of climate change and the benefits that an environmentally friendly way of life brings to EU citizens.