Aiming to push forward the process of creating more transparent and inclusive environmental and climate change governance in Georgia, the meeting marked an official launch of a new programme – Advancing Environmental Democracy in Georgia – funded by the UK Embassy in Georgia and implemented by WFD in close cooperation with the Parliament of Georgia. This three-year environmental democracy programme is designed to generate the sustained political will necessary to address environmental and climate issues in line with environmental democracy principles. The programme will focus on supporting political actors to create legislation and policies that are evidence-based, inclusive and meet the commitments outlined in Georgia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and other environmental commitments.

The participants of the workshop discussed the current challenges and opportunities as well as the long-term vision of possible reforms and coalitions needed to accelerate environmental democracy in Georgia while generating sustained political will necessary to address environmental and climate issues and boosting dialogue between key political actors, CSOs, government agencies and the general public.

They also discussed findings of a national-wide survey of Georgian citizens’ opinions and attitudes toward environmental concerns and climate change on a national and global scale. The three most frequently listed problems among urban respondents are increased air pollution (81%), high temperatures (74%) and reduced harvest (64%). Meanwhile, for study participants interviewed in rural settlements, the most problematic issues are high temperatures (86%), reduced harvest (74%), and increased droughts (82%).

In terms of the three most serious problems the world is facing today, the Georgian population places Climate Change and Environmental Degradation at the first place (57%), followed by Poverty, Hunger and Lack of Drinking Water (50%) and The spread of Infectious Diseases (50%). According to surveyed population, the most serious environmental problems Georgia is facing today are Air Pollution (57%), Deforestation (56%) and Pollution of Water (31%).

The approach to and actions of the Advancing Environmental Democracy in Georgia programme are underpinned by the key principles of environmental democracy.  The programme focuses on dual pillars concerned with increasing transparency and enhancing civic participation in environmental decision making. The programme works with a wide range of governance and civic actors to address environmental and climate issues. Capitalising on the global attention around COP26, the programme will initially focus on tackling climate change. Specifically, the programme will work with Georgian political institutions to identify the laws and regulations required to successfully achieve the aspirations in Georgia’s updated NDC and how the transition to renewable energy can be catalysed. Other priority policy areas will further be determined as the programme progresses.