Montenegro President Jakov Milatović outlined a plan to reduce coal reliance in the country’s energy sector at COP31, while Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Denis Bećirović emphasized fairness between generations in climate policy.
At the summit in Antalya, Milatović described the transition as economically realistic and socially fair. He said Montenegro would step up investment in solar and wind power and pursue sustainable hydropower as it reduces coal use in the energy sector.
His priorities span nature protection, energy transition and climate resilience. The President of Montenegro’s office presents Ecological State 2.0 as a 20-proposal program tied to 35 years since the country’s ecological-state declaration. Proposed measures include park access, safeguards for coasts and rivers, protection for planned Natura 2000 sites, sustainable tourism, wildfire prevention and stronger accountability for polluters.
Montenegro’s nationally determined contribution to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change sets targets to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and 60% by 2035, compared with 1990 levels. Milatović also cited floods, wildfires, droughts and coastal risks as threats to communities, infrastructure and livelihoods.
In a Nov. 11 statement, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency said its chairman, Bećirović, argued that climate decisions should account for their effects on future generations. He warned that short-term profit and populist politics could leave younger people carrying the costs. Bećirović said the issue also involves choices beyond formal diplomacy, financial support and technical tools.
The Presidency said Bosnia and Herzegovina is working to adopt an integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. The plan would set out Bosnia and Herzegovina’s approach to decarbonizing its energy sector through 2030, with a longer-term horizon to 2050.
