Conclusions from the conference:
The new Government announced the comprehensive plan of activities in this field, which among other matters include:
- Reduction of the energy dependence from fossil fuel
- Improvement of the national methodology for adequate use of natural resources
- Stopping biodiversity loss
- Recovery of endangered species
- Identification of strategically important resources (water)
- Recovery of ecological black spots, development of the recovery plan in Montenegro
- Raising awareness on ecology awareness in Montenegro since the awareness in not on a high level – important education through educational system and NGO sector
- Support to development of ecology activism in Montenegro
Even 30 years after the Declaration on the ecological state of Montenegro, we have not managed to make Montenegro an ecological state until nowadays, which is one of the strategic goals of Montenegro. Unfortunately, the former government has shown that it failed to fight for Montenegro as an ecological state.
Therefore, in addition to the declarative, we have to accept the principle of Montenegro as an ecological state and build the future development on respect for that principle, and the plan is to build development of the future government on the principles of green economy.
For example, the communication with the Government is in course, about the idea of amending the energy law, which will comply with the Declaration of URA and the prohibition of construction of small hydro power plant as a form of great devastation in Montenegro.
It was pointed out that citizens were not involved in the protection of certain localities, but with the support of NGOs and civil activists, we would not protect some very important localities in Montenegro. In this way, citizens certainly showed a high environmental awareness.
Also, national branding is of great importance, which should be the focus of the future expert government and the process of national branding should start as soon as possible.
Prince Nikola Petrović Njegoš pointed out that the work on preservation of Montenegro as an ecological state obliges us collectively and individually, and it is the best time to discuss this very important environmental issue in this way before the formation of the government. Also, the present health crisis invites us to observe our values and be solidary and in that regards we have to show solidarity and turn to each other and to our country.
NGO activists pointed out that it is very important to restore confidence in institutions in order to continue activism in preservation of the ecological state, not through protests, but through institutions. Also, we have to address the local communities and, in cooperation with them, certainly will come up great ideas and solutions that are in favor of building an ecological Montenegro. We all need to make Montenegro a house that is clean and rich and from which guests will leave with the impression that it was nice and that they want to return.
The idea of ecological Montenegro is not worn out because we still have clean rivers, mountains, lakes, producers of organic food and that is the advantage of Montenegro that we can and must use.
Aiming to implement the project of ecological state, concrete steps were advised, such as:
- Introduction of moratorium on hunting
- Introduction of moratorium on forests
- Introduction of moratorium on construction of small and large power plants
- Introduction of protection of agricultural land and its conversion
- Declaring an ecological network with researches that have been made in the last few years
NGO sector points out that the scientific community has to monitor constantly the guidelines for development of ecological state and offer more solutions to decision-makers, which will be further presented to citizens for social consensus and work in joint achievement of the goal. Also, it is necessary to carry out the legislative reforms in the part of harmonization of conflicting legal norms of nature protection with the laws that regulate the areas of energy, water, forestry, inspection supervision, spatial planning and construction of facilities.
We need greater transparency, especially in early stages of decision-making processes, and raising the awareness of all social actors and changes in habits through penal policy.
