“Ecological or Energetic?” – a campaign to amend the National Energy Development Strategy of Montenegro

The main reason for starting a national public advocacy campaign on energy in Montenegro was the review of National Energy Development Strategy for 2030. The campaign was started by NGO Green Home, on 01 June 2013 with the goal to send a clear message that the planned National Energy Development Strategy of Montenegro to 2030 is highly risky for the interplay of natural resources and that it is necessary to plan the future development of the energy sector in a more environmentally sustainable manner. Energy Policy of Montenegro should be defined in accordance with its declared status of the ecological state promulgated in the Constitution of Montenegro and integrated into other sectoral strategies (e.g. tourism, agriculture, etc.) in order to promote sustainable development. Sensible energy policy with a “good mix”, which is based on energy efficiency and renewable energy, should prevail in order to stimulate development that is sustainable from an environmental, social and economic perspective.

As part of the campaign, Green Home created a visual identity “Ekološka ili Energetska? (Ecological or Energetic?)” and prepared advocacy material in accordance with it. This material includes t-shirts, leaflets, billboards and city lights, a big banner for street actions, posters and announcements in the media. In addition to regular talks and media appearances they have participated in public debates organized in Pljevlja and Podgorica, also organizing leafleting actions in these two cities.

They’ve also realized a cooperation with SEE SEP – South East Europe Sustainable Energy Policy Project IPA CSF2012/3070406, under the IPA Civil Society Call EuropeAid/132438/C/ACT/Multi, with whom they prepared joint comments to the document and organized a meeting in the Ministry of Economy to present their views of the proposed strategy. Also, they managed to animate other organizations such as MANS, Ozone and Breznica to participate in public hearings and submit comments. In addition, Jelena Marojevic Galic, a member of Green Home, became a member of the Council for Innovation of NEDS project and was able to participate in the meetings of the Council and to contribute to the Strategy changes. After the public hearings, the Council has recommended significant changes to the proposed strategy and that process is on-going.

Upon completion of the public hearings, Green Home continued with the national energy campaign addressing issues of proposed construction of TPP Pljevlja II. This activity is also supported by the European Climate Foundation and specifically targets large energy objects, such as the proposed new block of thermo power plant Pljevlja, which represents the greatest threat to biodiversity in the region. Green Home and MANS are involved in this activity and are jointly working on monitoring all activities, including tender procedures for the new block of TPP.

The campaign is realised with support from EU funded IPA CSF project Advocacy NGOs networks for sustainable use of energy and natural resources in the Western Balkans and Turkey – ETNAR IPA-CSF-2012/306-573.