Montenegro

Rio Conventions

In addition to completing the NCSA, UNDP Montenegro is working on three other projects related to the Rio Conventions:

1. Biodiversity Strategy, Action plan and First National report (BSAP)

Montenegro is categorized by Conservation International as a biodiversity hot spot in the Mediterranean basin. It is one of six European centers of biological diversity and home to 39% of Europe's vascular plant species, 51% of its fish fauna, 74% of its bird fauna, and 68% of its mammalian fauna. The flora and fauna of Montenegro is characterized by a great diversity of species including more than 8,000 plant species, 15,500 animal species, 550 species of fungi, and about 400-500 species of lichen. The exceptional richness of plant and animal species and their communities is further illustrated by the existence of approximately 1,400 species of freshwater algae, 1,500 species of marine algae, 565 species of moss and 650 species of macro-mycete. Around 1,600 wild plant and animal species considered internationally significant inhabit Montenegro and its neighbour Serbia.

The bio-geographic position of Montenegro on the main lines of migration of a large number of migratory animal species crossing from continental Europe to the Mediterranean and further towards Africa and Asia means that for much of the year these species, many of which are endangered or are species of international significance, are present in Montenegro.

But uncontrolled clear cutting, extensive annual wildfires and environmental degeneration endangers the level of biodiversity. Clear cutting is just one of many development activities that threaten the rich but poorly monitored bio-diversity. Often, information on land cover and local habitats has never been recorded; hence there is no reference point against which to measure the changes that are taking place.

The main objective of the project is to prepare a Biodiversity Strategy and a corresponding Action Plan for Montenegro that identify strategic directions and actions to conserve biodiversity. The project has produced a Country Study (CS), which describes the critical features of biodiversity resources and serves as a foundation for the preparation of the Strategy and Action Plan. The Strategy is to be revealed sometime in early 2009.

An effort to thoroughly map Montenegro’s biodiversity is needed.

 

2. Preparation of the Initial National Communication (INC) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The project objectives are to generate, analyze and communicate information relevant for the preparation and submission of Montenegro's Initial National Communication (INC) to UNFCCC, due in 2010. Primary tasks are:

1. compiling a national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory
2. updating the analysis of potential measures to abate the increase in greenhouse gas emissions
3. producing a vulnerability assessment and analysis of adaptation options

 

A national workshop was held during a self-assessment exercise. Consensus was reached that the basic prioritization criteria related to vulnerability & adaptation and mitigation will include:

1. climate change impact on human health and natural resources (water, soil, forests, biodiversity, coastal area) together with its social and economic significance (agriculture, energy sector, industry, transport, tourism)
2. potential to abate the increase in GHG emissions (energy, transport, industry) and to enhance removals by sinks (forests)
3. sustainability (ensuring sustainable development: e.g. production of food, water management, renewable energy resources, protection of natural and human habitats)
4. socio-economic and environmental benefits (importance for overall economic development and achieving better living conditions and poverty reduction in Montenegro)
5. fulfilling international commitments (obligations ensuing from the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol)

The INC will be of great importance to Montenegro’s future. Climate change will impact all facets of the country’s economic development aspirations and plans, particularly in the very important agriculture and tourism sectors. Climate change projections must be taken into account when the government is setting policy and devising legislation.

Local consultants have been engaged to produce the first stages of the INC and will be joined later by international experts.

 

3. Power Sector Policy Reform to Promote Small Hydropower Development in Montenegro

The project will support the Government of Montenegro in realizing its goal of developing 15 to 20 MW of new small generating capacity by the close of the project in 2012.

The project will ensure that additional capacity is developed in the most cost effective and economically responsible manner. In so doing the project will avoid 402,360 to 536,480 CO2 eq in GHG emissions over the 20 year life of the new small hydro generating facilities. The project will do this by supporting the government in:

1. streamlining and simplifying the application procedures for small renewable independent power producers
2. collecting basic data to make investment decisions
3. setting attractive but competitive business terms and conditions for investors
4. helping the new Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy Unit role out a streamlined and transparent tendering process.

 

Most of the locations identified by the government for building small hydro power plants are located in the north, which is the most economically under developed region of the country. Further development of the small hydro power sector and various associated environmentally friendly businesses would create new jobs in the northern region and directly contribute to poverty reduction.   

UNDP will work to further develop locations for small hydro plants  by promoting environmentally friendly businesses such as: eco tourism, wood processing, organic agriculture, fisheries etc. Though careful planning these settlements  will become leaders in the economic revitalization of the northern region and provide new job opportunities for the local population.

UNDP will support the establishment of environmentally friendly economic settlements with small hydro plants through the following activities:

1.   creating development plans

2. removing procedural  barriers for initiating environmentally friendly  enterprises 
3. introducing best international practices in this field

4. providing favorable credit lines for the initiation of environmentally friendly businesses

The effort is in harmony with the government’s strategic goals:

1. the Ministry of Economic Development, in addition to directly  working on the establishment of a favorable climate for the small hydro power sector, has shown interest in supporting the growth of all related businesses
2. the Ministry of Tourism and Environment has set development of eco tourism in the north of the country as one of its strategic goals
3. the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry  is fully devoted to the development of fisheries and the wood processing industry in the country