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Survey report on green economy and green jobs presented today

News 15/06/2017
Survey report on green economy and green jobs presented today

Montenegrin Employers Federation (MEF) and International Labor Organisation (ILO) held a press conference whereby they presented survey findings on green economy and green jobs, a first of its kind that has been realized in Montenegro. On that occasion, media were addressed by Mirza Muleskovic, Head of International Department at MEF and Ana Rasovic, ILO National Project Coordinator.

The report on green economy and green jobs, financed by ILO, contains findings of the survey realized by E3 Consulting and MEF in three pilot municipalities at the north of the country (Bijelo Polje, Berane, Mojkovac) among private enterprises (98 per cent) and cooperatives (2 per cent), using a questionnaire developed in line with ILO methodology.

Mirza Muleskovic, a Head of International Department at MEF said: “By publishing survey findings, MEF intention was to support policy makers and decision makers in eliminating key business barriers and thereby in further endeavors of building quality business environment that will enable sustainability and development of business, employment growth and overall economic development through green jobs – with special focus on northern Montenegro”.

The report published within ILO project “Policy creation for enabling environment for green jobs and green enterprises” realized as part of broader joint initiative of UN on improving competitiveness and innovation in Montenegro through sustainable policies of economic growth. In that sense, ILO representative explained that the objectives of the project and the report were confirmed by the study of UNEP (United Nations’ Environmental Protection Agency) that, based on simulation model, analyzes the impact of green investments.

Ana Rasovic, ILO National Project Coordinator highlighted: “UNEP/UNDP study estimates that until 2020, there could be up to 17.500 new jobs in Montenegro, of which 95 per cent in tourism and related activities and the rest in the areas related to energy efficiency in construction and transport“.

Findings presented today shows that more than a half of interviewed companies (57.1 per cent) believe there are no national standard in their sector. In addition, large majority of enterprises (94 per cent) have not implemented a national or international standard in the area of sustainable development. In those enterprises that have implemented a standard (6 per cent), the most represented standards are: ISO 9001, ISO 14000, ISO 18001, ISO 27000, EXCELLENT – Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, HCCP, Organic Nutrition Certificate, HACAP safety system.

Coming down to the level of local municipalities, the great majority of enterprises from Mojkovac do not generate/deliver green products/services (88.9 per cent) similarly to 61.1 per cent of enterprises from Berane stating the same. On the other hand, 43.5 per cent of enterprises from Bijelo Polje often generate/deliver green products/services. This reveals great differences in the structure of enterprises and their orientation towards these kinds of products and services. If we break it down by sectors, enterprises operating in agriculture, forestry and water supply predominantly generate/deliver such products/services (54.5 per cent do it often), while in manufacturing the situation is divided (35.7 per cent of enterprises provide green products/services while 28.6 per cent of enterprises provide it often). Interestingly, enterprises from hospitality industry (hotels and restaurants) gave mainly negative answer to this question (60 per cent) compared to just 20 per cent of them stating they often provide green products/services.

Greatest benefits from implementing green jobs initiatives expected by enterprises are resource savings (stated by 30 per cent of enterprises), image improvements (by 25 per cent) and greater employees’ satisfaction (stated by 23 per cent of enterprises). Additionally, strengths in implementing green initiatives are recognised in possession of financial resources and willingness for taking up such initiatives.

When it comes to green production process, 86 per cent of interviewed enterprises have needs to reduce energy consumption i.e. for energy efficiency. Also, more than half of enterprises (58 per cent) have needs to reduce water consumption as well as needs to improve raw material usage efficiency (54 per cent). In line with the above, 82 per cent of interviewed enterprises consider introducing some of the above mentioned measures in the coming period. Of 18 per cent of enterprises that do not plan to implement any of measures listed, the largest portion (25 per cent) do not consider introducing those measures due to lack of information and financial resources.

Of the total number of enterprises 68.1 per cent think that there is no lack of quality workers for green jobs in their sectors. On the other hand, 56 per cent of enterprises have stated that there is lack to a great extent of auto mechanics (solar vehicles), in addition to 55.6 per cent of them stating there is a lack of technicians for solar panels installation, and 54.2 per cent stating there is a lack of energy auditors. In addition, interviewed companies said some other profiles such as composters were also missing at the labour market.

A specific recommendation that results from survey findings refers to further development of different training and capacity building programmes in line with green jobs and green economy principles. An additional recommendation originating from survey findings refers to development and introduction of national and international standards in the area of sustainable development; having in mind that large majority of enterprises haven’t introduced such types of standards nor have they got information on those standards being available in their fields of work.

When it comes to the very process of green production, enterprises have recognised the need for further savings in the area of electricity consumption, water consumption, heating and raw material use. Although enterprises have already introduced some of the above listed measures, it is recommended that the process of implementation of such measures continues in the coming years and primarily through increased use of renewable energy sources, innovative technologies etc. Key barriers enterprises recognise on their way to intensify implementation of those measures are lack of information and financial sources.

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