The Ministry of Sustainable Development of Montenegro and UNDP, through the innovative GEF funded project Towards Carbon Neutral Tourism in Montenegro, have identified steps to help the country's transition towards carbon neutral travel by encouraging sustainability and innovation in tourism. In the course of this project, Christian Baumgartner from response and ability developed an environmental and climate protection certification scheme for accommodation facilities (ranging from high-class to B&Bs) as well as destinations in Montenegro. Finally, support was granted to 32 investment projects introducing energy efficiency measures and using renewable energy sources. In addition, 21 hotels introduced green certification, thus reducing CO2 emissions and helping raise awareness on environmental protection and climate change. The project helped establish an Eco Fund, which is set up as a state-owned legal entity that is financed according to the polluter-pays principle and supports the implementation of sustainable projects.
