Compensation schemes

Carbon offset allow individuals and companies to invest in projects that contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions of CO2 in order to establish balance and reduce their carbon footprint. Carbon footprint represents the total amount of emissions of greenhouse gases generated directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product. A carbon footprint is a measure of our impact on the environment and climate change, expressed in tons (or) of carbon dioxide equivalents. There are individual and national carbon footprint,but we can talk about the carbon footprint of households, organizations, sectors, etc.

Carbon offsets are used to reverse the inevitable CO2 emissions accommodation/hotels (or individual) can not be reduced and after undertaken energy efficiency measures and other activities. ('First reduce what you can, than offset the remainder')

Given that Montenegro is at the very beginning of the introduction of the low carbon and carbon neutrality concepts in the country and that there is still a strong need for an education and communication effort in this respect, both at private and public levels, but particularly within the tourism industry, the implementation of a pilot phase is recommended that would allow the authorities, and tourism sector to obtain feedback on the best way to set up a successful scheme for the long run. Read more 

UNDP and the Ministry of Sustainable development and Tourism launched ‘’Reduce your carbon footprint’’ initiative offering tourist visiting Montenegro and Montenegrin hotels a chance to boost their green credentials. The main objectives of the pilot phase of carbon compensation scheme and the supporting campaign are to raise the level information and awareness of tourists, the tourism industry and the general public about the carbon footprint of tourism, and test the 'carbon offset scheme' mechanisms for the capitalization of the future Eco Fund.

The online carbon footprint calculator gives the possibility of calculating the carbon footprint of tourists when traveling and staying in Montenegro, expressed in tonnes of CO2, and the equivalent in euros. The tourists will be able to donate electronically/ by payment card for the projects that reduce CO2 emissions in the tourism sector.

Instruments to attract the attention of tourists and to collect funds from the donation (boxes for donations and tablet devices with online web application of the calculator to calculate the carbon footprint, floor graphics, flyers, posters, roll-ups, gifts - bags, postcards with stamps "Reduce Your Carbon Footprint" and magnets) are placed in:

o             13 hotels - Hotel Slovenska plaza, Hotel Splendid, Porto Montenegro, Hotel Palas, Hotel Castel Lastva, Hotel Tara, Hotel Budva, Hotel Residence, Hotel Casa del Mar, Hotel Zabljak, Apartments Utjeha, Klinci Village resort, Ostojic tavern, the Tear of Europe),

o             8 local tourism organizations and information points in Budva, Kotor, Herceg Novi, Bar, Cetinje, Zabljak, Plav, Rozaje,

o             Visitor centers of the National Parks Skadar Lake and Lovcen,

o             Regional Park Piva, and

o             The airports in Podgorica and Tivat.                  

In 2017 and 2018, music and film festivals (Sothern & Soul festival, Lake fest, Montenegro Green Film Festival, Sea Dance) were involved in this campaign and in compensation schemes.