The green transition is often discussed in Montenegro through the lens of climate commitments and EU alignment. Yet its most immediate economic impact may be felt in regional labour markets, particularly in areas dependent on carbon-intensive industries.
Coal-linked regions face a dual challenge: declining employment prospects and limited alternative investment pipelines. Without targeted transition strategies, decarbonisation risks exacerbating regional inequality, placing additional strain on social systems and public finances. This is not merely an environmental issue, but a macroeconomic one.
Effective transition requires more than capacity closures. It demands investment in skills, infrastructure, and new economic activities that can absorb displaced labour. Renewable energy, energy-efficiency services, and environmental remediation offer opportunities, but only if supported by coherent policy frameworks.
Monte.Business has repeatedly underlined that unmanaged transition costs can outweigh long-term environmental benefits. Montenegro’s success will depend on whether green policies are integrated with regional development strategies, rather than imposed as isolated objectives.
