The third EPR of Montenegro determined that the country’s energy sector, comprising energy supply and consumption in the transport, residential and service sectors, had the highest share in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 68 per cent of the total emissions in 2011 (72 per cent in 2015) (Montenegrin Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism/United Nations Development Programme, Montenegro: Second biennial update report on climate change – 2019 (Podgorica, 2019) ). The EPR also found that the Government was making efforts to raise public awareness on climate change-related issues, such as climate change and energy efficiency.
Montenegro is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. In 2019, it adopted a law on protection from the negative impacts of climate change, thus regulating the implementation of measures necessary to establish a comprehensive system for the reduction of GHG emissions. To meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement and global air quality targets, the transport sector needs to shift to low- and zero-emissions vehicle fleets. Information plays a key role in the operation of market forces; the provision of accurate, relevant and comparable information on the specific fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of passenger cars may influence consumer choice in favour of those cars that use less fuel and thereby emit less CO2.
UNECE has helped the Government of Montenegro to prepare legal and guidance documents for monitoring GHG emissions to address climate change and promote sustainable mobility.
Two rulebooks were developed and adopted in September-October 2020 to regulate the content of the plan for monitoring GHG emissions from stationary plants and the aviation industry, determining the content of monitoring plan procedures, required data and methodology for the respective industries.
A third rulebook on the content of signs, guides, posters, displays and promotional literature and materials on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from new passenger car models was developed and adopted in November 2020 in order to raise public awareness of the negative impact of GHG emissions.
Moreover, in 2020, a guide on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for new passenger car models available on the domestic market was prepared as a living document to be updated annually. Not only does the guide provide data on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions, but it also gives tips to drivers and an explanation of the environmental impact of GHG emissions and the use of passenger vehicles and various fuels. This is one step towards implementing target 13.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals on the integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.