Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

Draft amendments to the Environmental Assessment Code discussed in the Parliament of Georgia

Under the proposed legislative amendements, the Department of Environmental Assessment, which is responsible for carrying out the environmental impact assessment procedure, as well as the strategic environmental assessment, will be transferred from the central office of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture to the National Environmental Agency's system.
In 2017, the Parliament of Georgia adopted one of the most the important laws" Environmental Assessment Code’’. As a result, one of the first commitments taken by Georgia under the Association Agreement- to bring our environmental impact assessment system closer to the European requirements, has been fulfilled. 
"The new legislation is in full compliance with the European requirements, which means ensuring public access to information, supporting public participation at the early stage of infrastructure or investment projects planning " said the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
Mrs. Tandilashvili provided Members of the Parliament with the details of the amendments to the Code.
According to the Deputy Minister, the transfer of the Department of Environmental Assessment to the LEPL National Environmental Agency will further enhance the capacity of the Department of Environmental Assessment.
The amendments proposed by the draft law will ensure a comprehensive a maximum review on the environmental impact assessment report, screening or scoping reports and will make an environmentally sound decisions as promptly as possible..
The respective bodies are interlinked, both have much in common institutionally as well as functionally. Specialists (geologists, hydrologists, climatologists) of the LEPL National Environmental Agency are still actively involved in both environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment procedures.
A number of top European countries embrace a similar institutional approach. It is noteworthy, that in line with the legislative changes, the rule remains unchanged, according to which, the Government will make a decision on the exemption from the  EIA, on changes to the terms and conditions to EIA decision, on the initiation of transboundary environmental impact assessment procedures. (after the procedures will enter into force). "- said Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili.