Serbia adopts circular economy program as Montenegro unveils draft strategy

The Government of Serbia has adopted a circular economy development program until 2024, which focuses on waste management, renewable energy use and energy efficiency. Meanwhile, Montenegro has unveiled a draft of its national circular transition strategy until 2030 and launched public consultations on the document.

Serbia’s 2022-2024 circular economy development program defines priorities for the three-year period and lays the groundwork for the further development of a circular economy, with the aim of creating a conducive environment for a green transition in the country.

The overall objective of the program is to contribute to sustainable development and climate neutrality, protecting the health of the population and raising awareness about the importance of environmental protection, according to a statement from the government.

Supporting businesses in waste management, recycling, renewable energy use

One of the specific goals set out in the program includes the government’s support to businesses in removing waste from the supply chain, recycling materials and components, switching to renewable energy, and extending the lifespan of their products.

Green public procurement, education, local circular economy roadmaps

Other specific goals include encouraging the implementation of green public procurement and voluntary environmental protection instruments, supporting local governments in developing circular economy roadmaps, educating the media, schools, universities and consumers, and strengthening cooperation between the private and academic sectors on the use of innovation that supports a circular economy.

The circular economy was the topic of one of the panels at the Look up! regional ecology and energy conference on Mt. Kopaonik in Serbia this week.

Professor Goran Vujić of the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad noted that a circular economy is definitely more expensive than a linear economy and that not all businesses in Serbia are ready for such a transition, but he added that awareness of the need for such an economic model has been emerging in Serbia over the past few years.

Predojević: A circular economy improves energy security

Mathias Predojević, Vice President for Corporate Development at Elixir Group, said that the circular economy model was first introduced for ecological reasons, but that the approach also brings economic benefits. He also noted that waste incineration in a circular economy, where electricity and heat are produced, also helps strengthen energy security.

Montenegro opens public consultations on national circular transition strategy

A presentation of Montenegro’s national circular transition strategy until 2030 was recently held at the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro (EPCG). The document focuses on businesses, the construction sector, tourism, agriculture, and forestry.

Montenegro’s strategy focuses on businesses, construction, food production, forests

The key goals of the strategy are to improve the competitiveness of the country’s economy through diversification, innovation, and increased resource efficiency, promote sustainable use of space and resources in construction, and improve the tourism sector based on circular economy principles.

In agriculture, the specific objective is to improve the supply of safe foods, and in forestry, to enhance the social, ecological, and economic functions of forests and their resilience to climate change.

The draft strategy is based on a roadmap to a circular economy produced by the EPCG with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro.