March 12, on behalf of Business and Economic Centre (BEC) and Georgian Green Movement - friends of the earth, meeting “Climate Changes – Challenges in Georgia” was arranged in BEC. Aim of the meeting was to discuss the Copenhagen Accord, nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMA) and procedures for clean development mechanism in Georgia, based on Copenhagen agreement under the Kyoto protocol. The meeting was attended by Mr. Giorgi Khachidze, Minister of Environment Protection and Natural Resources, also representatives of ministry, MPs, Government’s parliamentary secretary, representatives of NGOs and International organizations.
It was noted that the review of main results of fifteen meetings of climate changes frame convention participants Copenhagen Agreement and climatic shifts in general are getting increasingly important for the society. Mr. Grigol Lazriev, head of hydrometeorology and Climate Changes division, analyzed the main reasons for climate changes and presented Georgia’s attitudes in terms of the Copenhagen Agreement. He also talked about UN Climate Changes frame convention, responsibilities that development countries take up according to the convention and Kyoto protocol.
Participants admitted that Copenhagen Agreement it a high level political support to solve the issues of Climate Changes. Special foundations have been set up to extend aid to developing countries. Georgia is considered as developing country in the context of the convention. In this respect, it is very important that NGOs and academic institutes get more actively involved to prepare more projects and programs.
As for Clean Development Mechanism in Georgia under the Kyoto protocol, Ministry of Environment Protection is responsible for this issues and any interesting person may get high level consultation without red tape.
During the meeting following issues were discussed:
- Adaptation process of the obsolete and forestry policy;
- Environment pollution and its impact on the health system;
- Responsibility of investors;
- Dump issues;
- Decrease of emission;
As a result of the meeting, MPs got information about the vision of the ministry and future plans related with Copenhagen meeting. Several important issues have been highlighted which parliament committees will discus in the nearest future.
During the meeting, participants decided to establish working group on the issues environmental protection with participation of MPs, representatives of the ministry, NGOs, international and business organizations. The working group will hold meetings on the regular basis discussing the important issues and problems existing in this field.
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