April 2012
We introduce Green Enterpreneurship Environmental protection and sustainable ecological production are two of the main challenges of the 20th century. Today’s population faces problems which are, to a great extent, the consequence of human activity and that are caused by our desire for profit, higher standards and a better lifestyle. Climate change, economic and energy crises are all responsible for creating a need to radically change the way we stimulate so-called "green economies" both in social and economic terms. The concept of a green economy involves an extensive use of resources as it refers to a whole branch or sector; ‘green entrepreneurship’. This concept, however, provides each one of us with an opportunity to start up our own business and to gain profit from the principles of sustainable development. By definition, the term green economy places a focus on low levels of carbon emissions, the efficient use of natural resources, and on the issues of social inclusion and wider economic benefit. A green economy creates great opportunities for sustainable development such as providing ways of increasing income, reducing poverty and improving our quality of life. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), green entrepreneurship is defined as “a business model based on sustainable production, on the consumer and on the practice of saving, and is a response made to different challenges that have emerged over past decades”. The objective of every economic policy should be to create a favorable business environment, one which contributes to the development of a green entrepreneurship, and thus the national economy, through sound and environmentally friendly ways of doing business. Entrepreneurs are a driving force in any economy. They generate new jobs and create new values. “Green entrepreneurship integrates environmental, economic and social axes at the very core of business, or as others might say, it provides innovative solutions to the way goods and services are produced and consumed.”
agricultural resources, and fishery resources) and also to stimulate employment. The recent "Study for the Development of Green Entrepreneurship in Montenegro", prepared by Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED), aimed to review the current situation regarding the development of green entrepreneurship in Montenegro. It also looked at opportunities for improvement. The Study results showed that the application of the concept of green entrepreneurship in Montenegro lags behind other developed countries in terms of growth and development potential. The Study showed that the sectors of energy, waste management, organic agriculture, eco-tourism, recycling and organic food production, in particular, were of interest for the development of green entrepreneurship. The Ministry of Economy in Montenegro is currently implementing two projects linked to the energy sector:
By adopting the Declaration on Montenegro as an Ecological State in September 1991, • Energy efficiency in Montenegro the importance of having an awareness • Renewable energy sources in Montenegro regarding natural resources and of being committed to preserving them has been The Study also concluded that in order clearly articulated. This awareness has to further develop the concept of green also been expressed through various entrepreneurship it would be essential to constitutional standards, as Montenegro promote it and to educate people about it. is now defined as an “ecological The quick integration of this concept into state”; something that has created very the education system, especially into higher good conditions for developing green education, would directly increase the entrepreneurship. awareness of future entrepreneurs regarding the importance of this type of business. In The development of green entrepreneurship that sense, the better promotion of green could be very significant for Montenegro entrepreneurship is necessary, along with due to it having a number of comparative more favorable conditions, in order to advantages. It will hopefully help to implement it successfully and to achieve create better conditions for the utilization results and desired effects. of available resources (mineral resources, For more details or for obtaining the forest resources, protected natural areas, copy of the Study, please send e-mail to: tourism resources, energy resources, ceed@t-com.me.
One of the most important international events this year in the field of sustainable development is the United Nations Conference on sustainable development, Rio +20, which will be held from 20-22 June, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro. Representatives from most countries will participate in the conference. The major themes of the conference will be: the green economy within the context of sustainable development and poverty reduction, and institutional frameworks for sustainable development. The National Council for the Sustainable Development of Montenegro, along with various professional teams, is working on preparing a document that the government will adopt for its official platform at the Rio +20 Conference. The government is making efforts to strengthen the competiveness of the domestic economy, particularly in the SME sector, whilst simultaneously promoting sustainable business. This gives a clear message that the concept of green technologies such as energy efficiency, renewable energy and waste management, will be promoted in order to fulfill the obligations that are set out in the constitution and which define Montenegro as an ecological state.
11