Tbilisi: Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, Nino Tandilashvili, at the Joint Meeting of Committees on Integration and Environmental Protection and Natural Resources on the Agreement between Georgia and the EU and Georgia presented a report on the implementation of the 2022 National Action Plan for integration into the European Union.
Nino Tandilashvili spoke about the steps taken by the Ministry in terms of improving environmental management; results achieved and existing challenges.
“The Georgian government has recently approved a project on industrial emissions aimed at reducing environmental pollution from the industrial sector.” In 2022, Parliament has begun deliberations on improving water resources management, scheduled to be adopted in spring 2023.
This bill fully responds to relevant EU directives and will promote the implementation of the obligations set out by the Association, which is most important to ensure sustainable water resources management in our country.
Making progress towards expanding protected areas and protecting biodiversity. Almost 14% of Georgian territories unite protected territories. This year, we have expanded an additional 110,000 ha of Protected Areas, significant for biodiversity protection goals and part of the agenda we have in the process of integrating with Europe. We have prepared a law on biodiversity, which will be presented to the Georgian Parliament next year”, – said Nino Tandilashvili.
The Deputy Minister spoke about the importance of improving waste management in the country and noted that Georgia had started an important reform in this direction, which takes into account the extended liability of the manufacturer and wastes classification.
Nino Tandilashvili stressed the importance of air protection legislation in the country and improving air quality, which includes reducing industrial emissions and improving air quality in large cities.
“We have set new standards for industries, and businesses have begun deploying online monitoring systems, which will significantly help reduce industrial air emissions.” We have new legislation to ensure the reduction of air pollution from the transport sector”, said Nino Tandilashvli.
As the Deputy Minister stated, all activities implemented by the Ministry and drafted bills are in full compliance with the obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU.
The joint session was attended by members of committees and representatives of relevant agencies of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture.