TASHKENT. The second day of the Central Asian International Environmental Forum 2018 has come to an end. Sessions on the "Integrated Management of Solid Household Waste" were held at the first half of the day, in the afternoon there were sessions dedicated to the “Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency”.
Discussions of all thematic areas of the forum are built in the following format: the first is the plenary sessions at which representatives of the delegations of Central Asia and Afghanistan voice reports on national policies and progress within the states. After their work, parallel thematic sessions begin in three directions:
· Legal and Institutional Framework
· Scientific cooperation and best practices
· Public-private partnership
At the end of the thematic sessions, the forum participants sum up the results at a separate plenary session.
Integrated management of solid domestic waste
At the plenary session opening the thematic segment "Integrated Solid Waste Management", participants noted the relevance of the topic: low level of SDW processing in the region. At the same time, it is worth noting the efforts of countries to improve legislation and promote initiatives addressing the problem of excessive accumulation of waste.
In particular, in Afghanistan, the law regulating the turnover of plastic is being considered. In Kazakhstan, the system of extended producer responsibility is being introduced. In Uzbekistan, the use of plastic bags with a thickness fewer than 40 microns will be prohibited since 2019.
At the thematically parallel sessions, the speakers of the forum stressed that the primary task is the organization of separate collection and sorting of waste. In addition, it was noted that the countries of the region do not need to "reinvent the wheel", it is better to rely on the experience of the international community. But it is important not just to copy everything. Ms Evia Pudane, the executive director of the Latvian company Cleantech, commented on cooperation between Europe and Central Asia: "Strategies that work well for us may not work and not be effective for you, so I advise you to choose only strategies and approaches that suit your countries and cities."
Mr Otto Simonett, Director of the Zoi Environment Network, presented the regional overview of Central Asia to the participants of the forum. In Kazakhstan, the speaker noted, new standards, target indicators are being formed, and legislation is also being updated. In Kyrgyzstan, there is active participation of the public in clearing mountain ecosystems and Issyk-Kul Lake; waste projects are being implemented. In Tajikistan, there is the beginning of solving problems of toxic and radioactive contamination with international support; waste projects are being implemented. In Turkmenistan, there are new legislation and environmental requirements, solving the problems of historical pollution in the Caspian, maintaining cleanliness in the cities. Uzbekistan demonstrates new thinking and state programs, investment plans in the waste management system; expansion of opportunities for waste processing.
The forum participants also noted that the management of solid domestic waste opens up many opportunities for the business sector. Understanding this, some countries of the region are working on a system of preferences for investors working in this area.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency
At the plenary session opening the discussion on the direction of RES, representatives of delegations from Central Asia and Afghanistan presented reports reflecting national policies and priorities of countries in the field of clean energy.
It should be noted that all countries in the region reflect in their policies plans to increase the share of renewable energy. For example, currently in Kazakhstan, the share of renewable energy is 1%, by 2030 it is planned to increase the share up to 10%, by 2050 – up to 50%. Since 2009, favourable conditions have been created at the legislative level, through the introduction of fixed tariffs, guarantee for the purchase of energy generated from RES and tax liabilities.
In Afghanistan, the RES sector has the potential for sustainable development, taking into account the reduction of negative consequences to the environment. The strategy for introducing renewable energy has been approved, the application of which is considered for all sectors of the economy.
In Kyrgyzstan, the legislative basis for the development of renewable energy has been developed. A national energy program has been adopted, which has a provision for the development of renewable energy sources. Ms Adima Musaeva, the representative of the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use of the Kyrgyz Republic, noted that it is necessary to work on improving energy efficiency. M. Musayeva stressed that by increasing energy efficiency, it is possible to save up to 40% of electricity.
Mr Khol Yunusov, Deputy Head of the Electric Power Industry Department of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, stressed that most of the country's electricity is generated from hydroelectric power stations. Tajikistan also has a great potential for the development of solar energy. Mr Yunusov also noted that Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan reached an agreement on the construction of the Central Asian transmission line, CASA 1000.
In Turkmenistan, the energy conservation program 2018-2024 is adopted, which considers the introduction of renewable energy sources and the preparation of a law on alternative energy sources. A plan of measures has been developed to implement this program, which includes the preparation of a legislative framework. The representative of the delegation of Turkmenistan, Serdar Allekov, chairman of the Society for the Protection of Nature of Turkmenistan, explained that all the major large facilities in the country switched to gas, therefore RES on a large scale is not profitable. However, the use of RES is possible on a small scale at the household level in remote regions of the country.
In Uzbekistan, roadmaps for renewable energy have been approved. Work has begun with international companies; a feasibility study is being developed. In addition, the draft laws on the use of renewable energy and the law on public-private partnerships are being considered.
At the thematic parallel sessions, great attention was paid to the fact that in the long term the cost of solar, wind and other clean energy will fall. While the cost of energy derived from fossil energy sources will be stable. Taking into account this factor and global trends, experts predict an increase in the share of renewable energy, including in Central Asia.
Participants of the forum concluded that the volume of energy production in Central Asia is low compared to other regions, and CA lags behind in implementing RES. Nevertheless, there is a dynamic development. The main challenge remains the oil and gas sector, energy efficiency and financing. It is necessary to work with the International Financial Institutions.