With the Climate Change Law, which was adopted by the Parliament on Thursday, Montenegro aligns its national climate goals with key policies of the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development (MERS) said.
The government department said that the law sets a clear and ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
"With this legal solution, Montenegro aligns its national climate goals with key EU policies, while making a strong contribution to global efforts to limit the increase in average global temperatures in accordance with the Paris Agreement," MERS said.
Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić emphasized that this is Montenegro's most important step forward in modernizing climate policy in the last decade.
He emphasized that the Act lays the foundation for long-term stability and responsible environmental decisions.
"It is our clear political decision to build a resilient, clean and competitive economy, in which climate neutrality is not a burden, but an opportunity for development," said Ćulafić.
He recalled that during this year, Montenegro adopted a number of important climate documents, including the Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the Fourth National Communication on Climate Change, and the First Biennial Transparency Report under the UNFCCC.
Ćulafić recalled that the Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the period 2025-2035, with an action plan for the period 2025-2027, was also adopted.
"These documents, together with the Law on Climate Change and the Low-Carbon Development Strategy, form a solid and coherent framework for the implementation of Montenegro's climate policy in the coming period," said Ćulafić.
MERS said that the Climate Change Act establishes a transparent permitting process with clearly defined deadlines, operator obligations, as well as a process for monitoring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
"In this way, normative assumptions are created for Montenegro to be ready for inclusion in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), one of the most important instruments of European climate policy," the statement says.
It is stated that Montenegro is strongly improving the climate financing system.
"Funds raised through the sale of emission credits, eco-fees and other financial instruments will be directed through the Eco-Fund to projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the development of renewable energy sources, the improvement of energy efficiency, innovation and a just transition," the statement added.
It is emphasized that the Act establishes a strong strategic framework for climate policy.
MERS explained that it is mandatory to adopt a Low-Carbon Development Strategy for Montenegro, which will clearly define the long-term path of decarbonization of society and the economy, and whose development is underway.
"At the same time, the law recognizes the importance of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which was adopted in July this year, as an important document for strengthening resilience to the negative impacts of climate change," MERS said.
The government department said that special attention has been paid to strengthening the national greenhouse gas inventory system, as well as the reporting system on policies and measures.
"These systems represent the basis for fulfilling Montenegro's obligations towards the United Nations and the EU, but also the foundation for quality planning and implementation of public policies," the statement says.
It is stated that the Law also deals with the particularly sensitive area of ozone layer protection, thus harmonizing Montenegro with EU regulations regarding substances that deplete the ozone layer and fluorinated greenhouse gases.
"In the coming period, secondary legislation is expected to be adopted in order to fully complete the implementation of the law in practice," MERS stated.
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