Climate change has become one of the most prominent issues in the modern world, with Montenegro not being an exception from the affected countries. In this report, I will be considering the effects of climate change on the Montenegrin ecosystems and presenting local initiatives that are aimed at mitigating that negative influence.

According to a UN report, the heaviest consequences of climate change for Montenegro will come in the form of the rising sea level, which could flood the quite populated coastal territories. The switches in the weather from droughts to heavy rain could negatively impact the country’s agricultural industry, reducing crop yields and affecting the population and the economy heavily. The country’s skiing industry has already begun to see the negative effects, with the winter 2023-24 season not bringing enough snow, and the industry only achieving around 15% of last year’s profits as a result. This occurrence can be viewed as catastrophic since for many people living in the north of the country the skiing season is supposed to provide a major share of their yearly income.

The resulting consequences can be attributed to the global phenomenon of climate change, however, Montenegro itself can be seen as a contributor to the prospects of such issues. For example, the country has recognized its negative impact on the environment through the functioning of factories and consumer waste. The country’s government has highlighted the importance of addressing these issues and has already established several measures that are aimed at improving the situation. For example, the country has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030, being one of the first Balkan countries to make such a pledge. 

Some non-governmental efforts led by activists in the country also deserve to be highlighted. For example, the Green Home NGO has produced several reports aimed at raising environmental awareness of the situation in Montenegro, as well as organized a number of events, such as beach cleaning meetups, to reduce pollution in the country.

When compared to other countries, Montenegro has shown a moderate performance, however, there is always space for improvement. I’m happy to see the developments that have already been achieved and hope to see more change in the future.

Sources:

https://montenegro.un.org/en/43433-our-changing-planet#:~:text=Climate%20change%20in%20Montenegro%20could,the%20end%20of%20the%20century.

https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/me/The-Economic-Impacts-of-Climate-Change-in-Montenegro.pdf

https://www.undp.org/montenegro/press-releases/montenegro-increases-climate-ambition-cut-emissions-35-within-decade

https://www.greenhome.co.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Adaptation-to-Climate-Change-Montenegro.pdf