Supporting Montenegro to advance their NAP process

Montenegro is a small country located in the south-east of Europe on the Adriatic Sea. In the south, it has a temperate Mediterranean climate and in the northern, mountainous region the climate is more extreme, with hot summers and extremely cold winters. The economy is relatively diverse, but despite this, 70 per cent of rural incomes depend on agriculture.

 

Between 2001 and 2010, Montenegro experienced its warmest decade on record. Recent climate variability has led to destructive floods that have seriously damaged transport, urban and agricultural infrastructure, and private property in 2010. Climate projections indicate that overall precipitation is likely to decrease by around 10 per cent by 2030, the intensity and frequency of droughts and heat-waves will rise, and there will be increased occurrences of flooding and extreme weather events. 

 

Montenegro’s key climate documents are the National Climate Change Strategy by 2030 and the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC). These documents build on the national institutional framework and outline the climate change priorities and guide Montenegro towards meeting its obligations to the Paris Agreement and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Also, Montenegro’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC (2015) outlines the consequences of various climate change scenarios and projections. However, despite these documents, adaptation as an area of focus has only recently surfaced in national policy and laws, with mitigation having previously been the predominant focus. 

 

Undertook a stocktaking mission to identify next steps in the NAP process	Between 1 – 3 February 2017, a NAP-GSP team undertook a preliminary mission to identify Montenegro’s strategic priorities regarding the NAP process. Through a stakeholder roundtable, qualitative interviews and extensive desk research, an assessment of relevant initiatives on climate mainstreaming, the institutional framework, and capacities relevant to the NAP process was conducted.
Developed a roadmap for Montenegro’s NAP process	Informed by the stocktaking mission and a rapid assessment of the gaps in Montenegro's adaptation planning, a Stocktaking Report was produced including a roadmap for the NAP process. The report identified the following capacity gaps and needs: (1) a lack of awareness about adaptation measures and how they can be integrated into current plans; (2) insufficient information on climate risks and vulnerabilities; and (3) reduced access to low-cost knowledge products due to language barriers.
Helped build capacity and  facilitated access to additional climate finance	Montenegro submitted a Readiness and Preparatory Support Proposal to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in September 2016. The Readiness proposal was subsequently approved by the GCF, providing Montenegro with funding to support the strengthening of the NDA and developing strategic frameworks for engagement with the GCF - two important elements for the effective advancement of the NAP process in the country.