BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 21
Trend:
A bill of Environmental Code providing for the transition of large oil, gas enterprises to the most advanced available technologies was put up on agenda of the plenary session of Kazakhstan's Senate (Higher Chamber of the Parliament), Trend reports referring to Kazinform.
According to the Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Magzum Mirzagaliyev who made a speech at the session, the principle ‘polluter pays’ is based on measures to prevent and control pollution.
"Besides, the bill envisions liability for compensation for damage to the environment. Thus, the state must create conditions under which it will be more profitable for users of natural resources to take all measures to prevent negative impacts on the environment. In case of environmental damage, the user of natural resources is obliged to restore the environment to its original state," he said.
As the minister reminded, at the first stage, it’s planned to transfer 50 large enterprises of the oil and gas, mining and metallurgical, chemical and electric power industries, accounting for 80 percent of the total pollution, to the most advanced available technologies.
"The bill provides for the requirement to undergo an environmental impact assessment for large enterprises of the first category. Their list has been revised and an emphasis will be placed mainly on environmentally hazardous facilities," added Mirzagaliyev.
Following discussions, the bill was adopted in the second reading.