On June 27, 2016, the Public Defender of Georgia held another public debate on the theme: environmental problems in legislation and practice.

The main issues of discussion were gaps in the list of assessable activities affecting environment, safety of the so-called new road of Vake-Saburtalo, lack of public involvement in the decision-making process, including differences around the Panorama Tbilisi project, as well as problems in construction of hydroelectric power plants. Special attention was paid to the environmental issues outlined in the Public Defender’s report.

An extensive report was delivered at the debate by Tatuli Todua, Head of the Department of Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the Public Defender's Office. She named gaps in the law on environment impact and low public involvement in the decision-making process as the main problems. She also talked about the consideration of issues of cultural heritage and neglect of statutory obligations during issuance of license for fossil extraction by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as shortcomings in the construction legislation and problems in coordination between agencies.

Tamar Sharashenidze, Head of the Environment Impact Assessment Department of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, confirmed that shortcomings exist in the law on environment impact, though added that a bill has already been drafted by the Ministry, which provides for the improvement of the shortcomings of the current law in accordance with the requirements of the Association Agreement and is in line with international standards as much as possible.

Manana Kochladze, head of the organization Green Alternative, noted that in addition to the problem of existence of the flawed legislation, international standards are not used in the protection of environment and natural resources. Moreover, there are cases when adopted decisions are contrary to the applicable legislation. At the same time, Green Alternative believes that even the improved law requires constant development and periodical renewal after it takes effect.

Giorgi Gachechiladze, member of the Parliament’s Committee of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, reviewed Parliament's environmental protection activities and the existing legislation. He noted that it is necessary to further expand the list of the infrastructure projects, during implementation of which, presentation of an environmental impact assessment report will be compulsory.

The event was moderated by Levan Meskhoradze, manager of the EU project "Support to the Public Defender's Office".

The debate participants held discussion about specific issues.

The public debates on important topics of human rights are organized by the EU project "Support to the Public Defender II".