Kyrgyzstan commits to developing the legal framework that will define the country’s green economy priorities. The Government will promote the green economy, especially among small- and medium-sized businesses. The development of the legal framework is expected to ensure the active involvement of business and the public sector. The commitment will include activities to increase the awareness of the private sector about elements of the green economy. It will also educate the private sector on the benefits of green technologies to ensure long-term sustainable development.
Implementing partners include business associations and international organisations.
The commitment is relevant to SDGs 7, 8, and 9.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) commits to supporting the reform of water policies in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) countries. Sound water management is fundamental for the provision of safe water, livelihoods and sustainable energy sources. This commitment will contribute to achieving broader development goals, including water-related post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs prominently feature issues of water resources management, trans-boundary water cooperation and policy integration. The OECD will support economically, financially and environmentally sound management of water resources. This includes water management policies that support the adaptation to climate change. The COP21 climate conference stressed the importance of wise water management strategies, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
UN Environment commits to supporting the transition to a green economy in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, the Russian Federation. In order to support to transition towards the green economy with sustainable consumption and production patterns and inclusive outcomes, UN Environment will provide methodologies and tools to regional, national and sub-national policy makers and stakeholders on all areas of green economy. These measures will also contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN Environment also commits to provide countries with technical assistance and capacity building on strategic policy development. The commitments will result in science-based approaches that support the transition to sustainable development through multiple pathways including inclusive green economy and sustainable trade, and the adoption of sustainable consumption and production patterns at all levels. As a result of the commitment, public, private and finance sectors will increasingly adopt and implement sustainable management frameworks and practices.
UN Environment commits to supporting the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) in Europe. Specifically, UN Environment will support countries to transition towards an inclusive green economy through PAGE activities including economic assessment, strategic planning, and capacity building. UN Environment has been actively engaging a vast range of research institutions, non-governmental organisations, civil society, business and UN partners to support its research base and skill- set in supporting the Inclusive Green Economy. PAGE is a joint initiative among five UN agencies, namely UNEP, ILO, UNDP, UNIDO and UNITAR. PAGE combines these organisations’ expertise and resources to support 20 countries in building green economy strategies. These strategies will generate new jobs and skills, promote clean technologies, and reduce environmental risks and poverty.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) commits to promote strategic environmental assessments in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. UNECE will continue supporting Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in their efforts to effectively implement their new legislation on the Strategic environmental assessments. UNECE assisted the development of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) legislation over the past four years under an EU-funded project. The UNECE will also continue assisting the Central Asian countries in the implementation of transboundary environmental impact assessments and in the development of SEA systems. These efforts build on UNECE’s ongoing and past support and development. The support is furthered by an update of the Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context for Central Asian Countries.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) commits to promoting inclusive public participation for the transition to a green economy. Under the frameworks of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (the Aarhus Convention) and its Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (the Protocol on PRTRs), and within the available resources, UNECE is committed to provide advice on legal issues and practices with regard to access to information and public participation in decision-making on different plans, policies, projects and programmes related to the greening of economy. It will also facilitate consensus building among countries and a wide range of stakeholders and will continue providing advisory services to Governments and international organisations on these issues.
Switzerland commits to supporting a National Resource Efficiency Network for small- and medium-sized enterprises. The national resource efficiency network (Reffnet.ch) was established by the Swiss government, private companies, and the scientific community. Reffnet.ch provides analytical tools to assess resource efficiency – especially material efficiency - and to realise the recognised potentials. The website provides practical measures for companies to make a positive impact on environment and resource protection. Furthermore, the network initiates innovation projects to increase resource efficiency. The commitment will result in the improvement of companies’ resource-efficiency, reduction of material use, energy and costs. It will also result in social benefits through improvements in occupational health and safety.
The commitment falls under focus area 1 and 5 of the Batumi Initiative to develop clean physical capital for sustainable production patterns; and improve the measurement and valuation of natural capital.
Uzbekistan commits to adopt the Law on “Alternative Energy Sources”. The draft will be developed by 2017 and the adoption of the law is expected in 2018. The law aims to assist the further development of scientific research in the field of alternative energy sources. It will provide practical applications of alternative energy sources in Uzbekistan. These actions will also further the development of domestic production of advanced equipment and technologies for this sector. Through the implementation of the commitment, Uzbekistan will improve rational use and saving of energy resources.
The commitment falls under focus areas 2 and 5 of the Batumi Initiative to promote the internalisation of negative externalities and the sustainable use of natural capital; and develop clean physical capital for sustainable production patterns.
Implementing partners will include relevant ministries, departments and non-governmental organisations.
This commitment is relevant to SDG 7.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) commits to advancing the GREEN (Green Economy and Environment) Action Programme. The mission of the GREEN Action Programme is to assist governments and civil societies from Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia (EECCA) in implementing policies that are economically efficient, environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable. The GREEN Action Programme will build on the work of the OECD EAP Task Force that since 1993 has guided improvement of environmental policies in transition economies of the EECCA region by promoting the integration of environmental considerations into the processes of economic, social and political reform.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) commits to assisting EECCA countries in accelerating policy reforms, including by devising regulatory and economic instruments. These instruments will strengthen the rule of law and compliance with environmental requirements that contribute to the greening of economic growth. The work would also include activities aimed at greening industry and strengthening the green growth measurement framework by using green growth indicators and other environmental accounting tools.
The commitment includes two main components. The first component includes efforts on promoting “smart’ environmental regulations, developing policy instruments to address challenges of urban air pollution, addressing environmental impacts of mining, and supporting the development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Systems. The second component includes efforts on measuring and assessing progress towards green growth in the EECCA region.