Ivana Vojinović, Director of the Center for Climate Change, Natural Resources,
and Energy at the University of Donja Gorica
From flooded kindergartens to smart grids—Montenegro’s climate reckoning sparks a renewable revolution
At a time when climate change has ceased to be an abstract concept from scientific reports and has become a reality we experience every day, we spoke with Ivana Vojinović – Director of the Center for Climate Change, Natural Resources and Energy at the University of Donja Gorica (UDG). As a former Assistant Minister for the Environment and Head of the Negotiating Group for Chapter 27 in Montenegro’s EU accession process, Vojinović offers a unique perspective on how global climate policies are becoming part of our everyday lives. In an open conversation, she speaks about the personal experiences that reminded her how real and tangible climate change truly is, the greatest challenges Montenegro faces on its path toward energy transition, inspiring examples from the world of green technology, and why young people are the key drivers of change and bearers of hope for a more sustainable future.
Which moment in your career most reminded you that climate change is not a distant threat, but a reality affecting us every day?
That moment happened at the end of 2012, less than two years after I took on the role of Assistant Minister for the Environment in the Government of Montenegro. At the time, a powerful cyclone centered over the Gulf of Genoa brought heavy rainfall that caused floods across almost the entire country. Rivers overflowed, sweeping away parts of bridges and dirt roads, while many houses and properties were submerged. One of those days, nearly 160 liters of rain fell in just a few hours in Podgorica. We were in the Ministry, working on amendments to the Nature Protection Law, when we received a call that a kindergarten in Masline had been flooded. The army and police had to evacuate the children as the water was rapidly rising and had reached the electrical installations. That incident was a turning point for me – we had a tangible, undeniable example of climate extremes. We all felt, without any doubt, that climate change had arrived in our city that day – in the yard of a kindergarten – threatening the safety of our families. And yet, we were caught unprepared, buried under piles of papers and documents, even though we were fully aware of the proven fact that Montenegro belongs to a region highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as floods, landslides, droughts, and similar phenomena.
Looking ahead, what is the biggest challenge Montenegro must overcome to truly become a leader in renewable energy?
We need to do three things at the same time: diversify our energy mix by increasing solar, wind, and hydropower capacities – a commitment we have already made to the Energy Community, with a target of 50% renewable energy share by 2030; modernize the grid so that it can absorb and balance variable production; and accelerate the permitting process through clear, transparent rules. Montenegro has significant potential for solar energy, with more than 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Programs such as EPCG’s “Solari” have shown that rooftop installations can be organized as a national project with well-defined financial incentives. But even that is not enough. In the era of digitalization and innovation, modern energy systems must include the development of smart grid technologies and battery energy storage, as indispensable components for the sustainable integration of renewables into power systems. Our additional advantage in the region is the undersea cable with Italy, whose capacity will double once the second cable is built in the coming years. This infrastructure turns Montenegro into a crossroads of regional electricity flows. It is a strategic project of common interest within the EU TEN-E energy networks, designed to enhance energy supply security, reduce transmission losses, and enable deeper cross-border integration of renewable sources. By using this infrastructure strategically, we can smartly “absorb” surplus energy and export it when available, and import when it’s not – reducing variability risks and increasing the bankability of new projects in renewables and smart grid technologies.
Is there an innovation in green technology that particularly excites or surprises you, and why?
I find the example of the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) in South Australia particularly interesting, as it transforms the energy system through renewable sources and the inclusion of socially vulnerable groups. The concept involves networking and centrally managing numerous households equipped with solar panels and batteries, creating a ‘virtual power plant’ that can supply the grid during periods of high demand or outages at other power stations. The project demonstrates how decentralization and smart grids can be an effective solution-an inspiring model for Montenegro as well, where distributed energy sources are rapidly growing.
Could you share a story about a project or research where you felt your team was truly making a difference in the world?
“Changing the world” sounds grand. For me, what truly matters is creating projects that change Montenegro from within – that shape people, inspire young generations, and encourage decision-makers to think long-term. One of the projects we implemented at the Center, which I believe is transforming the way young people think and behave, is the “Youth for Sustainable and Circular Textiles” initiative, supported by UNDP. Since young people are the biggest consumers of textile products, and their attraction to fast fashion has a significant ecological footprint, the project addressed the issue of textile waste with a focus on youth. In the European Union, the textile industry is the third-largest source of pressure on water and land, the fifth-largest consumer of raw materials and emitter of greenhouse gases, and the fourth-biggest polluter overall. Around 5.8 million tonnes of textiles are discarded every year. In addition, textiles – mostly synthetic – are a major source of microplastic pollution, released through wastewater during washing cycles, as well as through production, wear, and disposal at the end of a garment’s life cycle. Unlike in the EU, Montenegro lacks data on the amount of discarded textiles, the ways it is treated or disposed of, and its impact on the environment. There is also limited public awareness of the harmful effects of improper disposal of unused clothing and the environmental consequences of “fast fashion” and consumerism. This motivated us to bring the issue closer to Montenegrin citizens through the implementation of this project. Through numerous activities, young people across Montenegro learned about the environmental and health problems caused by textile waste, their role in combating this type of pollution, and the business opportunities in sustainable and circular textiles. They also discovered how they can become key drivers of the circular and green transition – just like their peers across the EU.
In addition to this project, I would like to share a special moment from my time in the Government of Montenegro – one that crowned many years of effort and dedication, and for me, served as proof that systemic reforms and persistent work always lead to results. From the very beginning of Montenegro’s negotiations with the European Union, the Government appointed me as Head of the Negotiating Group for Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. The moment I felt truly proud of what I was doing for my country came in December 2018, when Montenegro officially opened Chapter 27 in negotiations with the EU, after our team’s dedicated efforts to meet the demanding opening benchmarks and earn the trust of all EU member states that Montenegro was ready to sit at the negotiating table with the European Commission.
What are the three “myths” about climate change in our region that you would like to dispel?
Of all the myths surrounding climate change, perhaps the most persistent is the claim that human-induced climate change doesn’t exist – that it’s merely a “natural cycle,” or worse, a “global fabrication.” These are dangerous forms of disinformation and misleading narratives which, despite being disproven by science for decades, still have deep roots in the public sphere. When I hear someone say that the West “invented” climate change to limit the development of smaller economies, I’m reminded of how important it is to talk about facts – but also about trust in science. Climate change is evident and confirmed through numerous measurements and data; it is far from any ideological interpretation. What’s particularly concerning is that such myths block progress. If we don’t believe the problem exists, we won’t invest in solutions. If we doubt science, we won’t integrate it into policymaking. For example, the average temperature in Montenegro has risen by about 1.1°C over the past three decades, the vegetation period has lengthened, and the number of days with extreme rainfall and heat waves has increased. If we wait until we “see” the consequences, we’ll already be at a stage where mitigating them is much harder and far more expensive.
The second myth is that we are “too small to make a difference.” Such a mindset leads to passivity. The climate crisis doesn’t operate on population size – its effects accumulate locally and impact biodiversity, water resources, soil, and public health. Every tonne of CO 2 reduced, every cut in pollution, and every efficiency improvement – when multiplied across dozens of communities – makes a difference. The countries of Southeast Europe are among the most vulnerable to extreme hydrometeorological events, which is why resilience must be built through local projects, regulations, and institutions. The third myth I would challenge is the notion that the consequences of climate change are “far away” or that they will only affect future generations. The heatwaves in Podgorica, severe droughts in Zeta, and heavier rainfall in the mountain regions already disprove that. These are not scenarios from a distant future – they are the reality we live in today.
How do international cooperation and the implementation of EU climate directives influence local policies and concrete projects in Montenegro?
Through international cooperation and the EU accession process, Montenegro “imports” European goals, procedures, and standards, which are then translated into very concrete local policies and projects.
One example is the alignment with the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, which required the environmental reconstruction of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant, a project now nearing completion. At the same time, the National Energy and Climate Plan, as an obligation arising from the EU Governance Regulation, will by 2030 become our “compass” for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and grid modernization. In this way, the international process does not remain on paper but guides us toward solar, wind, and hydropower investments as national priorities. Finally, the framework of Negotiating Chapter 27, together with the IPA III and LIFE programs, opens the door to technical assistance and grants that raise the standards of public policies – from air quality and waste management to climate risk adaptation in the water and tourism sectors. That is why today, local strategies and project lists increasingly start from EU methodologies and end with measurable benefits for citizens – such as cleaner air, more resilient infrastructure, and green jobs.
What motivates you to educate and inspire young people to engage with climate issues?
A combination of personal experience and belief in the power of change. In every encounter with young people – whether in a lecture hall, at a workshop, or online – I try to offer them more than facts and charts. I want to share practical examples that connect knowledge with real life. My motivation stays strong even in moments of fatigue, when I remind myself that through education, young people must be taught tools such as critical thinking and the ability to recognize misinformation. Because young people need a vision, not just fear of an apocalypse. What especially motivates me is that young people possess a unique combination of urgency, curiosity, creativity, and courage.
When you look to the future, what fills you most with hope and optimism – and what worries you?
The world is bringing us ever more challenges, but also more opportunities – in the form of new technologies and ecological innovations. That fills me with optimism, because younger generations have the chance to shape a new era of sustainability and harmony with nature. Yet with that hope comes a sense of deep responsibility – and, admittedly, concern. I worry about the ecological crisis, because time is not on our side. When the degradation of natural systems accumulates – through water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and climate extremes – all built environments will become unusable if we lack a planet that sustains our survival, health, and balance. Still, despite everything, I am encouraged by my faith in the power of the individual. I truly believe that one idea, one sustainable practice – when shared, grown, and connected – can trigger a wave of change.