Georgian PM Presents Green Economy Concept
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has presented the Green Economy Concept, a part of the governmental program aimed at improving the ecological situation in Georgia.
During the presentation on Friday in Kojori, the PM noted that not only Georgia but the whole world has environmental problems.
“The policy that Georgia has had over recent decades has been completely unacceptable and brought us to very serious consequences. The main focus of the Green Economy concept is to protect the environment in order to improve the ecology of the country and maintain natural resources for future generations,” he stated.
Bakhtadze noted that the European Union states are taking serious steps towards improving the ecological situation and added that Georgia should do the same in order to align with the EU. He noted the process of harmonizing the Georgian legislation with European norms has begun and added that in the next few years more clear and concrete steps should be taken to prevent air, soil and water pollution, and to improve waste management and the sustainable management of biodiversity, ecosystems and natural resources.
“The new concept aims at taking care of the environment and sharing responsibilities while ensuring fresh air, water and quality food,” he explained.
The Georgian PM noted that the new strategy includes two main priorities: to neutralize the results of previous environmental management and to preserve existing natural resources in such a way as to ensure that Georgia is perceived as a country with a green economy.
He said that from August 1, Georgia will switch to a European standard air monitoring system. The evaluation will be based on an already developed automatic monitoring network which is going to be widened. Also, a web portal will be developed enabling citizens to receive regularly updated online information on the air quality in certain locations.
“Each state agency, including the private sector, will have specific liabilities and recommendations for the improvement of the atmospheric air condition in Georgia,” he added.
Bakhtadze also spoke about the need to set up an Environmental Ombudsman Institute which will communicate with the public in order to guarantee better efficiency as the government works with citizens to solve ecological problems.
He noted that the compulsory inspection of vehicles, which will have checked every vehicle running in Georgia by the end of 2019, will have a positive impact on the air condition in the country and vehicles which do not meet the necessary standards will be banned.
One of the main aspects of the Georgian Green Economy is improving fuel quality by slowly moving to "Euro 4" from October and to "Euro 5" from 2020, meaning the sulfur content will be reduced 10 times in the fuel imported to Georgia.
By Thea Morrison