Our climate has permanently changed, and with it come increasingly pronounced heat waves, longer droughts, intense floods, forest fires and other extreme weather events, said Ivana Vojinović, director of the Center for Climate Change, on TV Vijesti's Boje jutra.
"We are not aware of what the climate brings us, climate change is already here – it is not the future, it is our present," Vojinović points out.
Although Montenegro has a small share in global greenhouse gas emissions, it is located in one of the most vulnerable regions of Europe when it comes to climate change.
"Our geographical position makes us extremely exposed," Vojinović emphasizes.
Agriculture, according to the director of the Center for Climate Change, is the most sensitive sector. The seasonal nature of this industry makes it vulnerable to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
"The agricultural calendar has already changed. Flowering, harvesting, yields – everything is disrupted. Droughts increase irrigation costs, and hailstorms can destroy years of hard work in a matter of minutes."
The state, according to her, must invest more in improving technology, irrigation systems, and hail protection, while farmers must turn to more resistant varieties.
Tourism has not been spared either. Winter tourism, especially in the north of the country, is facing a drastic decline in snow days.
"The 2023/24 season had zero ski days. Without an artificial snowmaking system, which has been delayed for decades, ski resorts are in collapse. But even if we had them, the question is how long they would be effective, because they need low temperatures, which are no longer in short supply. Summer tourism is not without consequences either. Prolonged heat waves create serious health risks, especially for vulnerable groups, and affect the quality of life on the coast. In addition, rising sea levels and coastal erosion further complicate the situation."
Vojinović particularly emphasizes the importance of spatial planning in the context of climate change.
"Local governments have a key role. They must recognize the specificities of their environments and adopt planning documents that include climate risks. Permits must not be pro forma – but must serve the purpose of protecting people, facilities and nature."
When it comes to financing adaptation measures, the situation is not encouraging.
"There is money, especially from EU funds, but we are not managing to use it. The cause is slowness, lack of cooperation between the state and local levels, and the lack of necessary strategic documents. Although training and education in writing projects are organized, a systematic approach is lacking," she says.
Vojinović concludes the conversation with a clear message.
"Better coordination between the state and local levels is necessary. The adoption of the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan is urgent. We have been waiting for it for three years. Climate change will not wait for us."
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