Abstract
Montenegro’s legal and policy framework on climate change and adaptation requires further development. The Law on Protection against Adverse Impacts of Climate Change1 was adopted in December 2019. The National Strategy in the Field of Climate Change by 2030 has also been enacted but lacks an adaptation component. Montenegro has a legal obligation to prepare a National Adaptation Plan and a National Strategy on Low Carbon Development. The development of the National Energy and Climate Plan, the updating of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the elaboration of the Third National Communication to the UNFCCC are also ongoing. The recommendation for Montenegro to improve its national legal and policy framework focusses on the adoption of secondary legislation to the Law on Protection against Adverse Impacts of Climate Change to ensure the law’s alignment with the EU acquis; the development of the National Adaptation Plan and the incorporation of adaptation measures into sectoral policies; support for the development of local adaptation policies; the elaboration of a comprehensive adaptation strategy for the public health sector; and the establishment of the NATURA 2000 network.