Future modes of Green transportation

Current transportation systems are accompanied by a broad range of problems including vulnerability to climate change, environmental degradation, GHG emissions and health implications. Since transportation is one of the major contributor to GHG emissions the best solution seems to be greening the transport sector - by switching to alternative fuels and cleaner vehicles.

Montenegro is committed to international efforts to combat climate change. Transport plays an important role in this as it accounts for 20% of Montenegro’s GHG emissions and is predicted to grow, reaching 30% of the total emissions by 2030.

Heavily congested roads and increased emissions impact our health and well-being. Shifting to clean public marine and road transportation, making it attractive for passengers, gradual phase out of polluting car fleets, and introduction of polluters pay principle – represent a mix of interventions that will help Montenegro to reverse the negative trend in the transport sector.

UNDP’s Towards Carbon Neutral Tourism Project implemented with the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism with GEF financing, introduced some of the ground-breaking initiatives into the country witnessing its move toward a more sustainable future.

Less emissions on the road

Montenegro has only begun moving from the traditional to the electric transportation. Further investments in the necessary infrastructure as well as enacting supportive policies are a key to a major leap forward.

And with more than 70% of Montenegrins now living in urban areas, it’s time to speed the transition to sustainable alternatives.

In the last five years, in cooperation with its partners from the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the Chamber of Economy, UNDP supported 31 projects that triggered investments of over 10 mil euros – 5 of which directly related to transport. These innovative low-carbon projects will avoid 86 kt of CO2 during their lifetime - which is approximately an equivalent of CO2 emissions produced from the tourism sector in 2017.

You can now Charge your E - Car throughout Montenegro

This is the moment that is transforming the entire automotive landscape in Montenegro. GEF financed project is bringing clean energy solutions to highly dense urban environments to reduce emissions. New technologies show how we can change the way we travel without harming the environment.

Are you travelling to Montenegro by electric car? Then don't stress over the possibility to charge it anymore. Public EV charging infrastructure is popping up all over the country. Montenegro lends itself as an ideal country to drive electric. The temperature is mostly around 20ºC and driving distances are relatively short, which is ideal for the range.

"Montenegro’s first electric and hybrid vessels demonstrate how renewable energies encompass both - an environmental necessity and an innovative economic opportunity"

Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro

Driving through cozy little towns is a pure joy and the landscapes are scenic. So, we're encouraging all EV aficionados to visit. Because: eco-tourism and low carbon travel are a natural match.

‘’The automobile landscape is changing and Montenegro is going forward when it comes to electric vehicles. As more importance is placed on reducing CO2 emissions, Montenegro is seeing a growing number of initiatives to develop and promote the introduction of infrastructure for electric cars’’, says Aleksandra Kikovic from UNDP.  

Electric vehicles are the future of transportation. By investing in green infrastructure, we pave the way towards joint low carbon future. Conclusions from UNDP and Hrvoje Požar Study on e-mobility give a clear cross-section of the situation & current developments in this field in Montenegro.

There are a number of great benefits to E- cars over conventional petrol/diesel vehicles.  And there are many handy calculators you can use to see all the savings when you opt for the e-car. Check out ours.

Sails Ahoy! Eco boats - clean and efficient

The vast majority of boats on the Adriatic rely on fossil fuels that tax the environment. Fortunately, alternative energy is on the rise in the marine world, and ecological ships are prepared to sail into a much cleaner future.

This summer, passenger ferries – the electric trimaran baptized Elettra and its the hybrid friend Graciana – were launched at Boka Bay.

A boat trip in magnificent Kotor admiring the surrounding nature aboard the eco-friendly Elettra while experiencing a beautiful sunset in the Bay of Kotor – we couldn’t imagine a more perfect end of a busy day.

Sailing on the line Kotor – Prcanj – Donji Stoliv – Perast, Elettra can carry up to 30 passengers. With large battery capacity and sufficient solar power generation, the system provides all of the electrical power requirement.

Hybrid ferry Graziana  combines diesel engine with an electric motor. Hybrid propulsion is intended to reduce noise, vibration and running costs, as well as to allow boats to operate in low and zero emission zones, such as marinas. It can carry up to 60 passengers and guarantees a comfortable sailing time from Tivat to Herceg Novi and back.

Sophisticated in design these vessels sail with a very low CO2 emission, fumes, exhausts or noise.

This are an example of how the combination of innovation in design, renewable energy and investment of private capital for public good – can be turned into an economic opportunity, with minimal impact on the environment, while at the same time having a potential to improve transportation services for citizens and visitors of Montenegro.

‘’Montenegro’s first electric and hybrid vessels present the case for how renewable energies represent both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity’’, says UNDP_Montenegro RR Daniela Gasparikova.

With UNDP support, famous Montenegrin rock musician and environmental activist Rambo Amadeus, has rebuilt a century old ship turning it into a solar boat. Voyager Boka built with solar ingenuity and driven by passion offers a complete Eco appeal - using the potential of solar energy in a proper way, without disturbing the environment and minimizing CO2 emissions.

It has a roof covered in solar panels, while the engine is only used when safety requires it. This green machine  confidently rules the waves and is a huge boost to changing habits and raising awareness of environmental issues.

Pilot projects like this are important steps towards more solar powered boats in the Adriatic. This time next year, the fleet will be richer for new 9 boats of this kind, offering full marine public transport service for passenger transport in the Bay of Kotor.

A step towards a clean Environment - Thinking tourism wise

To reduce growing pollution and address climate change, we must do everything we can to shift to cleaner energy sources. And improving transportation and transit infrastructure is one of the easiest ways to do so.

UNDP is a leading voice in advocating for sustainable transportation options throughout Montenegro. It has significantly invested in active transportation infrastructure - by helping complete and mark around 70 km of pedestrian and cycling trails throughout the country, modernizing street lighting and setting up smart tourist infrastructure, thus helping improve accessibility of the different sites, reducing CO2 emissions and protecting the environment.

If you want to try eco-friendly transportation in Montenegro, you can hop on an electric bus in Zabljak, or enjoy the natural treasures on board of electric train in Cetinje. Using a tourism train in Kolasin, will help reduce CO2 emissions & carbon footprint of visitors to the Biogradska Gora NP.

Other, tourism infrastructure, such as electric bicycle racks and urban furniture using renewable energy sources - have also been placed in the tourism centers.

So, when you come and visit Montenegro the best kind of footprints you can leave behind are those in the sand.