The waste management model remains largely undefined, and establishing infrastructure for separate waste disposal across the country is crucial.

This recommendation aims to enhance the execution of the Action Plan designed to meet the final benchmarks outlined in Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change, as noted in the eighth semi-annual report adopted by the Government last week.

The document reveals that since September of last year, Montenegro has achieved just over 10 percent of the total measures outlined in the Action Plan. For the eighth semi-annual report, the implementation of 281 measures was proposed, which included 135 measures with deadlines due and 146 requiring ongoing implementation.

“The implementation rate for measures with specific deadlines stands at 13 percent (17 measures), while 49 percent (66 measures) are classified as partially implemented. For measures with continuous deadlines, the implementation rate is 63 percent (92 measures), with 24 percent (36 measures) considered partially implemented,” the report states for the timeframe from September 2024 to February of this year.

The document emphasizes the need to intensify efforts on planned activities, allocate budget provisions, and recognizes securing financial resources as “the biggest challenge in the implementation of activities from the Action Plan.”

Regarding air quality, it notes that no significant advancements occurred during the reporting period.

“The approval of the Air Quality Management Strategy, along with the Action Plan, has been postponed due to the pending National Energy and Climate Plan,” the report indicates.

In the waste management sub-area, the document highlights that several regulations, including the Regulation on fees for lightweight plastic carrier bags thicker than 50 microns and the Rulebook on mercury source reporting and storage records, have been adopted under the Law on Waste Management.

“The ‘Mislov do’ landfill in Nikšić was closed in December 2024. The construction of the Regional Waste Management Center in Nikšić is in progress to serve the municipalities of Plužine, Šavnik, and several coastal municipalities,” the document affirms.

Furthermore, the World Bank has allocated a grant for technical support in waste management, with part of the funds aimed at developing technical documentation for the center.

“The study and main project for converting landfill gas into electricity at the ‘Možura’ landfill have been finalized, and a tender for construction has been announced. Additionally, the capacity expansion study for the ‘Možura’ landfill has been completed, and a contract for the development of a conceptual design for the closure and recultivation of the Bakovići facility has been signed,” it noted.

The Integrated Waste Management Project in the Western Balkans is set to assess microplastic contamination in hydroelectric power plants within the Danube Basin, with the initiative starting in 2024 and a completion target of 2026.

The document mentions that the Eco-Fund has concentrated efforts on rehabilitating unregulated landfills, initiating the rehabilitation of 60 such sites in 2024.

In the water quality sub-area, the Government adopted the Surface and Groundwater Monitoring Program for 2025 on December 19, 2024.

Concerning nature protection, it states that no activities were undertaken during the reporting period to finalize the Draft Law on Nature Protection or the National Biodiversity Strategy with an Action Plan.

However, work on mapping Natura 2000 habitats and species has continued, with 76 percent of land territory and 10 percent of marine territory in Montenegro mapped by February 2025.

During this reporting period, the environmental inspection conducted 18 inspections of facilities governed by the Industrial Emissions Directive in accordance with the Law on Industrial Emissions.

In the civil protection sub-area, all obligations have been met, leading to its temporary closure:

“There is a need for further improvements and the establishment of long-term capacities to enable a quicker and more effective response to future crisis situations.”

In the recommendations section, the document emphasizes that securing financial resources poses the biggest challenge in implementing the Action Plan’s activities. It also suggests prioritizing previously unimplemented activities and enhancing efforts within institutions responsible for meeting final benchmarks.

Lastly, where multiple institutions are accountable for a particular obligation, improvement in coordination and communication is recommended.

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