Montenegro can have 17,500 new jobs in green economy by 2020

According to UNEP/UNDP report, Montenegro could open 17,500 new jobs in the next few years by investing in green economy, primarily in the tourism and related sectors.

Total of 95 percent of new green jobs can be opened as a result of energy efficiency measures in construction and transportation.

Green economy concept is already integrated in 2030 National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Montenegro. According to the head of the Directorate for Environment, Ivana Vojinović, focus should be on energy, construction, agriculture and service (tourism).

“Potentials for green jobs are in renewable energy sources, recycling, public and railroad transportation, energy efficiency in buildings, organic agriculture and sustainable small farms, sustainable forestry management and jobs in tourism”, sad Vojinović for Vijesti.

“At the moment, Montenegro has 15 small hydro power stations in use, and a few more are in the construction phase. We are using only 20 percent of our water potential and it is one of our key resources”, said Daliborka Pejović, state secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.

However, NGO sector does not see the hydropower as a sustainable solution.

“The state will invest tens of millions of euros, it will by expensive electricity, and the damage to the environment cannot be repaired”, Milan Kastratović and Kočo Kočanović from Perućica NGO are opposing the Ministry`s strategy.

Another important renewable energy resourse can be the solar power since Montenegro has 260 sunny days a year

Recycling, waste and wastewater management in Montenegro

Montenegro has recently build recycling facilities in Podgorica and Herceg Novi, two facilities for abandoned  vehicles treatment in Podgorica and three more in Berane, Cetinje and Nikšić.

But, there is still a lot that has to be done in education of the general public. Some previous efforts to introduce recycling containers in Podgorica did not end up well. On the other hand, as a country that has entered the process of joining the European union, Montenegro is obliged to reuse and recycle at least 70 percent of the construction waste – the goal that seems too far today.

As a result, the waste management is the key problem for EU regulations implementation in the Montenegro. Ministry is planning to improve the system by the end of 2020, by implementing selection, prevention, recycling and reuse of the waste.

Ecology and forestry

Total of 13 percent of the Montenegro land territory is protected natural environment, including the five National parks. According to the UNPD study these areas are contributing to the state economy with EUR 68 million, which makes 2,2 percent of Montenegro GDP.

In addition, forests makes around 60 percent of Montenegro land territory, which makes them a great potential for forestry industry and biomass.