Montenegro drafts green hydrogen development program with 2026-2028 action plan – Hydrogen Europe

Report on Montenegro’s Green Hydrogen Development Program and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

This report outlines the key components of Montenegro’s draft program for the development of green hydrogen. The initiative is presented as a strategic national priority, with significant implications for the country’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program underscores a strategic shift towards decarbonization and enhanced energy security.

2.0 Program Overview

The government of Montenegro has initiated a public consultation process for a comprehensive green hydrogen strategy. The core documents under review include:

• A draft program for the development of green hydrogen.
• A detailed action plan for the implementation period of 2026-2028.
• A strategic environmental impact assessment report.

The public discussion period commenced on November 25 and is scheduled for 20 days to ensure stakeholder engagement, aligning with the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

3.0 Strategic Importance and SDG Alignment

The draft program identifies green hydrogen as a key energy carrier for Montenegro, crucial for achieving strategic objectives by 2030. The primary goals of the program are directly linked to several SDGs:

• Energy Transition: Facilitating a shift from fossil fuels to clean energy sources (SDG 7).
• Decarbonization: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors of the economy (SDG 13).
• Energy Security: Enhancing national energy independence and resilience (SDG 7).

4.0 Contribution to Specific Sustainable Development Goals

The implementation of the green hydrogen program is expected to make substantial contributions to the following SDGs:

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: By establishing a green hydrogen ecosystem, Montenegro aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its national energy mix, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The development of production, storage, and distribution infrastructure for green hydrogen will foster innovation and build resilient, sustainable infrastructure.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The use of green hydrogen in transport and industry can significantly reduce urban air pollution, contributing to safer and more sustainable cities.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Green hydrogen, produced using renewable electricity, promotes sustainable production patterns by decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action: As a cornerstone of the nation’s decarbonization strategy, the program represents a direct and significant action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article focuses on Montenegro’s program for the development of “green hydrogen,” which is described as a “key energy fuel for transition.” This directly aligns with SDG 7’s goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, as green hydrogen represents a form of clean energy.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article explicitly states that green hydrogen is a strategic priority for “decarbonization.” This goal of reducing carbon emissions is central to SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The development of a national green hydrogen program is a concrete climate action measure.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  Developing a green hydrogen program requires significant investment in new technologies, industrial processes, and infrastructure for production and distribution. This initiative supports SDG 9’s aim to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article’s focus on “green hydrogen” as a “key energy fuel” implies a strategic effort to increase the share of renewable energy in Montenegro’s energy system, as green hydrogen is produced using renewable sources.
  • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The creation of a national development program for green hydrogen is a foundational step towards promoting investment in the necessary infrastructure and technology.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article provides a direct example of this target in action, stating that “Montenegro has drafted a program for the development of green hydrogen with an action plan for the period 2026-2028 and a strategic environmental impact assessment report.” This demonstrates the integration of decarbonization efforts into national strategic planning.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The development of a green hydrogen sector as a “strategic priority” directly involves the adoption of clean technology and the necessary upgrading of energy infrastructure to support it.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For SDG 7 (Target 7.2)

  While no specific numbers are given, an implied indicator is the future share of green hydrogen in the national energy mix. The success of the program mentioned in the article would be measured by this metric.

• For SDG 13 (Target 13.2)

  The article explicitly mentions the indicator itself: the existence of a “drafted program for the development of green hydrogen with an action plan.” This document serves as a tangible indicator that Montenegro is integrating climate change measures into its national planning.

• For SDG 9 (Target 9.4)

  The article implies that progress will be measured by the implementation of the action plan and the development of green hydrogen infrastructure. The “action plan for the period 2026-2028” suggests a set of activities and milestones that can be monitored to track the adoption of this clean technology.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hydrogeneurope.eu