April 22^nd , 2020 marks the 50^th  anniversary of Earth Day - the annual celebration of the environmental movement. This year’s topic is dedicated to combating climate change as one of humanity's greatest challenges. But, amid coronavirus pandemic numerous outdoors manifestations have been canceled due to a ban on mass gatherings to slow the spread of coronavirus – so the celebration of Earth Day has moved into the online sphere. Organizations across the world are calling for climate action and environmental protection through webinars, online events and other digital tools with low carbon footprint.

This Day is an opportunity to, despite the pandemic, reaffirm our commitment to meeting the challenges of climate change and environmental protection through interventions that support low-carbon development, protect and conserve biodiversity, and thereby safeguard citizens from environmental risks to health.

The impact of the coronavirus crisis has shown that as humanity, we can be both responsible and courageous. We can act the same way when combating the climate crisis. Although GHG emissions have fallen globally after authorities implemented a strict lockdown, this cannot have a long-term impact on global warming, and concrete long-term changes need to be continued and ambitious plans for a sustainable future adopted.

To that effect, last year the United Nations Development Program launched a global initiative - the Climate Promise, to support at least 100 countries enhance their NDCs by 2020, and curb GHG emissions.

Montenegro is on the right track to fulfil all its obligations in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and in addition to its activities to reduce the impact on climate change, it undertakes adaptation measures. Montenegro has already pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to the 1990 base year. By 2020, all signatories to the Paris Climate Agreement are expected to update their Nationally Determined Contributions to GHG Emissions.

Montenegro is fully committed to this and will, with the support of UNDP, revise its NDC by the end of 2020, considering options to set a more ambitious goal.

On the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day, instead of planting trees, organizing cycling tours and other ecological actions we used to participate in to mark it, we invite you to 'stay home' and join Mission 1.5 - the campaign led by the United Nations Development Programme, which aims to bridge the gap between citizens and governments on ambitious climate action, providing an opportunity for all citizens to express their views on solutions to the climate crisis.

The game is available at mission1point5.org and can be played by people in every country in the world. After the game, you can vote on key climate actions you want to see adopted.

The time to act is now!