MONTENEGRO’S capital city, Podgorica, has joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Green Cities taking the first steps towards improving energy efficiency in public buildings.

Mayor Ivan Vuković and EBRD Head of Montenegro Jaap Sprey, signed a mandate letter committing the city to improve the sustainability and liveability of the capital. The city plans to invest up to €8 million in energy efficiency measures, the potential installation of solar panels or combined heat and power units in public buildings. The EU-Funded Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for the Western Balkans will offer support.

The mandate letter is the first step on the path to developing a Green City Action Plan (GCAP) for Podgorica. The GCAP will strategically address the city’s needs for sustainable and green growth. With financing from the EBRD and international donors, the plan will address the most pressing climate change and environmental challenges, including public building energy efficiency, urban roads and lighting, urban transport, water and wastewater, and, in order to reduce local pollution, improve energy and resource efficiency and promote climate change adaptation.

The activities under EBRD Green Cities in Podgorica will be developed jointly with the city of Podgorica and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro.
The initiative is part of EBRD Green Cities, a programme that builds on the Bank’s two decades of experience investing in municipal and environmental infrastructure.

GCAPs have been launched in 14 cities since EBRD Green Cities became operational at the end of 2016, with three in Yerevan, Tbilisi and Tirana now complete. In total, €350 million is being invested in Green City infrastructure, resulting in a CO2 reduction of 368,000 tonnes. To date, EBRD Green Cities has mobilised in excess of €1 billion in EBRD and donor finance.

Picture of Podgorica by Nije bitno… – Own work, CC BY 3.0.