Astana, Kazakhstan, April 18
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
A draft law which aims to create conditions for transition to a green economy is being developed in Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Minister of Environment and Water Resources Nurlan Kapparov said.
"The draft law "On amendments and additions to some legislative acts on the country's transition to a green economy is being developed in the ministry and suggests the changes and additions to more than 20 acts," Kapparov said at a roundtable dedicated to legislation improvements for the transition to a green economy.
The introductions to the existing laws have several purposes, according to the minister.
Firstly, it is more efficient use of resources (water, land, biological, etc.) and their management. Secondly, the country intends to modernize the existing and construction of new infrastructure based on new resource-saving technologies.
Thirdly, the authorities seek to improve the quality of the environment through cost-effective ways to mitigate pressures on the environment. Fourth, the matter rests in increasing national security, including water security.
"The draft law will consist of chapters on the improvement of waste management systems, improvement of the air quality, reproduction and use of water, and biological resources," the minister said.
Kazakhstan has all prerequisites for the transition to a green economy, according to Kapparov. They are inefficient use of resources (4-8 billion per year); imperfect system of tariff-pricing for energy resources (no incentive for technological improvement); serious deterioration of natural resources and the environment.
"A number of other important reasons for transition to a green economy are a high dependence on exports of raw materials, as well as expectations of the international community the successful implementation of Kazakhstan EXPO-2017 exhibition and the Partnership Program "Green Bridge"," Kapparov said.
The transition to a green economy is not marketable, but a long-term project, he said.
"Significant renewal and infrastructure development will happen in Kazakhstan within 20 years: 55 percent of the buildings and 40 percent of power plant out of total volume of these assets will be built from scratch by 2030," the minister said.
More than 80 percent of vehicle fleet will be renewed by 2030, according to Kapparov.
"With the creation of the legislative base we have a unique opportunity to create a new infrastructure that will use of resources efficiently. And many alternative energy technologies will offer a less expensive ways to produce electricity compared to traditional sources in the near future," he said.
Translated by S.I.
