Montenegro Carbon-neutral tourism project
As a main driver of Montenegro’s economic growth and investment, the tourism sector is responsible (directly and indirectly) for the large share of GHG emissions from the transport, accommodation and other tourism-related activities.
According to Montenegro’s Initial National Communication (INC) to UNFCCC, in the business-as-usual scenario Montenegro’s GHG emissions will rise by 40% in 2020 above 1990 baseline. By contributing to over third of GDP and a half of capital investment in infrastructure, the tourism sector will inevitably be an important, if not the leading, factor in a projected GHG emissions increase.
Main project objective is to reduce GHG emissions from Montenegro’s tourism by:
(1) promoting adoption of low-carbon policies and regulation,
(2) establishing sustainable financing mechanisms, and
(3) supporting design and implementation of flagship investment in low-carbon tourism infrastructure The project adopts a comprehensive approach to minimizing the carbon footprint of Montenegro’s main and most dynamic economic sector, the tourism. Its ultimate objective is to reduce GHG emissions from Montenegro’s tourism sector. It will do so by promoting country’s transition towards a carbon neutral travel & tourism, minimizing energy use and transport in and around new green-field development projects, helping tourism industry to identify and implement cost-effective mitigation options in travel and accommodation sectors, as well as introducing carbon offset scheme and other innovative financial mechanisms to compensate for the residual emissions and generate additional revenues for climate mitigation and adaptation actions in tourism. Expected outcomes:
(1) Energy savings realized from investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy in tourism facilities and municipalities in Kotor Bay resulting in: energy saving by 2,000MWh/year and 2,600 MWh/year of RES-based energy produced.
(2) Increased use of public transport in coastal areas; Increased average speed of transit and reduced traffic jams on the coastal roads; Reduced fuel use and GHG emissions from road transport in Kotor bay along the 107 km coastline.
(3) Carbon offset program for tourists, hotels, rent-a-car and other industry stakeholders designed, independently validated, and operational; Other suitable financial mechanisms analyzed and adopted as appropriate (e.g. airlines carbon tax, penalties for non-compliance with green standards, credited NAMAs in tourism sector, etc); Tourism Climate Fund established and capitalized from the proceeds of the offset project.
(4) Accurate measurement and accounting of GHG emission baseline and reductions from mitigation actions in the tourism sector; Awareness raised among tourists and tourism industry stakeholders about sector’s carbon footprint, GHG reduction potential and measures.
