Week 13 - Env. policy

Question 1

Briefly describe Historical background of Env. policy?

Answer 1

Few sporadic attempts to address most urgent issues

Systematic development is a recent phenomena:
1960-1970s

Connected with global spread of environmentalist
political agenda/groups and societal changes of
the 1960s

Question 2

what are International agreements on Flora and Fauna? And when KZ joined them (if)?

Answer 2

Convention for Protection of the World Cultural and
Natural Heritage (1972) – designates World
Heritage Sites, both cultural and natural
Kazakhstan joined in 1994

Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (1973)
Protection of endangered species, including
tigers, jaguars, certain kinds of elephants etc.
(Kazakhstan joined in 2000)

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
of Wild Animals (CMS; Bonn Convention) (1979);
Kazakhstan joined in 2006

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (1992)
Comprehensive approach to biodiversity (not
focusing on specific animals);
Kazakhstan joined in 1994

Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) (1971)
Protection of wetland ecosystems
Kazakhstan joined in 2007; has 10 sites

Question 3

what are International agreements on Maritime Resources? And when KZ joined them (if)?

Answer 3

International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil
Pollution Damage (1969) – liability for shipowners
• Kazakhstan joined in 1994

International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships (1973); regulates ship engine
oil discharges
• Kazakhstan joined in 1994

Question 4

what are International agreements on Antarctica? And when KZ joined them (if)?

Answer 4

Antarctic Treaty (1959) (KZ joined in January 2015);
no military activity, freedom of research,
no rights to territorial claims, no nuclear tests

Agreed Measures for Conservation of Antarctic Fauna
and Flora (1964)

• Convention for Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972)

• Convention for the Conservation on Antarctic Marine
Living Resources (1980)

Question 5

what are International agreements on Ozone Layer Protection? And when KZ joined them (if)?

Answer 5

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone
Layer (1985) + Montreal Protocol (1987)

Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air
Pollution (1979) (KZ is a party)

Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation
(1944)
Established ICAO and modern civil aviation
Regulates aircraft emissions

Question 6

what are International agreements on Prevention of Desertification? And when KZ joined them (if)?

Answer 6

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought
and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa
(1994) (KZ is a party)

Question 7

what are International agreements on Climate Change? And when KZ joined them (if)?

Answer 7

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992

• Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, 1997
- The state parties are to pursue reduction of
emissions of greenhouse gases.

Question 8

Describe Greenpeace?

Answer 8

NGO, established in 1969, based in Amsterdam

Climate change, deforestation, ocean pollution

Denies funding from governments, corporations,
political parties

Relies on supporters’ contributions and private grants

Consultation status with the UN EcoSoC

Lobbying and direct action (at times controversial)

2,400 employees and 15,000 volunteers, offices in 55
countries

Question 9

Laws, regulations and other policy mechanisms
concerning environmental issues

What are the thematic areas of concern?

Answer 9

air pollution
water management
solid waste
biodiversity
wildlife
industrial waste

Question 10

Rationale for government involvement?

Answer 10

Tragedy of the commons:
High societal costs of non-interference (medical
expenses, economic costs, etc.)

Example: Dirty water in the river – cost is paid by the
society, because water needs to be cleaned

Question 11

Challenge: how to measure environment? Describe elements.

Answer 11

Historically, policy-making tends to overlook
environmental issues

Ecosystem/environment are not fully measured or
quantified with economic services and capital, they
are given too little weight in policy decisions

Question 12

Challenge: multitude of actors. Describe elements.

Answer 12

Many agencies involved, coordination issues
For example: aerospace, environment, industry,
national parks, forest, agriculture

Enviromental policy is heavily influenced by globalization

Many environmental issues are interconnected throughout the world

Economic globalization

Question 13

what are France’s ambitious goals in terms of EP ?

Answer 13

Renewable energies should reach 32% of the French energy supply by 2030

Nuclear electricity should fall from 75% to 50% by 2025

The housing sector should reduce its energetic consumption by 50%

Question 14

Whar are strategic documents of Kazakhstan’s environmental policy?
Documents:

Answer 14

Concept of Transition to Sustainable Development for the period 2007–2024 (CTSD)

Environmental Code (2007)

Water Code (2003)

Question 15

waht are the challenges of Kazakhstan’s environmental policy?

Answer 15

Greenhouse gas emissions remain high
Aral Sea
Land degradation and desertification
Untreated industrial waste
Radioactive contamination
Industrial pollution (mining and heavy industries)

Rapid economic growth = strong energy demand
Domestic energy:
51% coal; 25% gas, 23% crude oil
(coal is abundant and relatively cheap)

Little implementation of cleaner and more efficient
technologies

Societal culture?
Little awareness of the serious environmental, health
and safety consequences of environmental issues