The Low-Carbon Development Strategy clearly defines the path towards achieving the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, and its adoption is the beginning of a demanding but necessary process, said the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić.
According to the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development (MERS), he spoke at a roundtable organized as part of a public debate on the Draft Strategy for Low-Carbon Development of Montenegro until 2050, a document that will be one of the foundations of the country's climate and development policy in the coming decades.
Ćulafić pointed out that the Low-Carbon Development Strategy clearly defines the path towards achieving the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, in accordance with the Law on Climate Change and international obligations that Montenegro has undertaken.
"At the same time, it represents a logical and ambitious continuation of the National Energy and Climate Plan, expanding our vision to the period until 2050," emphasized Ćulafić.
As he stated, the document is based on detailed sectoral analyses and clearly defined policies and measures in all important areas - from energy, transport, industry, buildings to agriculture, waste and the LULUCF sector.
"The special importance of the Strategy is reflected in its most ambitious scenario, which envisages the decarbonization of the energy system, strong electrification of transport and industry, improvement of energy efficiency and valorization of natural carbon sinks, while preserving the ecological balance," said Ćulafić.
He thanked everyone who contributed their knowledge, experience and dedication to the quality of this document, especially Katharina Gassner and the World Bank team for their continued expert and financial support within the Partnership for the Implementation of Market Mechanisms.
Ćulafić emphasized that the adoption of the Strategy is the beginning of a demanding, but necessary process.
"Its successful implementation requires strong cross-sectoral cooperation, policy continuity and active participation of all relevant stakeholders. The Ministry will have a clear coordinating and leading role in this process, with a strong partnership with other institutions and the international community," said Ćulafić.
He recalled that MERS, in the field of climate change, adopted the umbrella Law in that area, the Updated National Contribution (NDC) and the Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the period 2025-2035 with the Action Plan for the period 2025-2027.
"All these documents have exceptional strategic and developmental significance for the state. The adoption of the umbrella law on climate change has established a clear and binding institutional and legal framework for systemic action in the fight against climate change, as well as for harmonization with international and European policies," Ćulafić emphasized.
These documents, he pointed out, represent a strong basis for long-term, coordinated and sustainable state action in the field of climate change.
"We have heard from our European partners that we are on the right track and that almost all obligations in the field of climate change have been completed, and therefore the obligations from Chapter 27, which is most important to us," concluded Ćulafić.
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