NATIONAL REVIEW TOWARDS a «GREEN» ECONOMY in TAJIKISTAN Elaborated in Preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20)

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NATIONAL REVIEW TOWARDS A «GREEN» ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20)

Dushanbe, 2012 г. НАЦИОНАЛЬНЫЙ ОБЗОР НА ПУТИ К «ЗЕЛЁНОЙ» ЭКОНОМИКЕ В ТАДЖИКИСТАНЕ Составлен в рамках подготовки к Международной конференции ООН по устойчивому развитию (РИО+20)

This Review summarizes the experience of the pro-environmental ways of balanced development in Tajikistan to further promote a “green” economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. This being the case, most of the Душанбе, 2012 г. focus is on the role of water as the most important natural resource in all its uses in different sectors, and in the development of a “green” economy in the country in general. The Review reveals a huge resource potential and opportunities of Tajikistan for transition to a “green” economy and attraction of international organizations and development partners for elaboration of a more detailed mid- and long-term national “green” economy plan. The ‘National Review: Towards a “Green” Economy in Tajikistan’ has been elaborated under activities undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in preparation for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) with the support of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and Country Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tajikistan. The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan sincerely acknowledges the support of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and Country Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tajikistan, and thanks all persons, governmental, international, public, academic, and civil organizations for the information and assistance provided in the preparation of this Review. НАЦИОНАЛЬНЫЙ ОБЗОР НА ПУТИ К «ЗЕЛЁНОЙ» ЭКОНОМИКЕ В ТАДЖИКИСТАНЕ Составлен в рамках подготовки к Международной конференции ООН по устойчивомуNATIONAL развитию (РИО+20) REVIEW TOWARDS A «GREEN» ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN Душанбе, 2012 г. Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20)

Dushanbe, 2012

COMPILERS

Anvar Kamoliddinov Senior Research Associate, Tajik Branch of the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia, Team Leader Salomat Ikromova Chief Specialist, Unit of Agrarian Sectors Development and Ecology, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Amonullo Khasanov Head, Unit of Analysis and Forecasting of Population Social Protection and Social Security, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan Nurmahmad Kholnazarov Head, Electric Power Engineering Department, Ministry of Energy and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan Anvar Khomidov Head, Hydrometeorology Department, Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Bakhrom Gafarov Deputy Director, Tajik Branch of the Scientific Information Center of the ICWC Dilshod Kimsanov Deputy Head, Economy and Forecasting Department, Ministry of Land Reclamation and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan Khusnidin Sharofiddinov Leading Specialist, Unit for Monitoring of Pump Stations and Water Facilities, Ministry of Land Reclamation and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan

The authors would like to extend their thanks to Khayrullo Ibodzoda, Head of the Ecology and Emergency Situations Unit of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Sulton Rahimov, First Deputy Minister of Land Reclamation and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Anatoly Kholmatov, Manager of the “Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management and Fostering Transboundary Dialogue in Central Asia” Project (UNDP), for their valuable proposals, recommendations and editorial assistance provided during the preparation of this Review.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

PARTNERS

The writing of this Review would not have been possible without information, valuable comments and proposals provided by the following ministries and agencies of Tajikistan:

Ministry of Land Reclamation and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ministry of Energy and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan; State Committee for Investment and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan; State Committee for Land Management and Geodesy of the Republic of Tajikistan; Committee for Emergency Situation and Civil Defense under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan; Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan; Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ecological Commission of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan (Parliament of the Republic of Tajikistan); Barki Tojik Open Joint Stock Holding Company

The authors sincerely thank all the international organizations, public and academic institutions, and each individual person for the information and assistance provided in the writing of this Review.

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ACRONYMS

ADB Asian Development Bank WUA Water Users Association GDP Gross Domestic Product UNGA United Nations General Assembly GEF Global Environment Facility HEPP Hydroelectric power plant GIZ German Society for International Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) EU European Union UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe EurAsEC Eurasian Economic Community IWRM Integrated water resources management EF Efficiency factor CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization IFAS International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea ICWC Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia ICSD Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development NGO Non-governmental organization UN United Nations Organization ppm. part per million, concentration measurement unit REAP Regional Environmental Action Plan CIS Commonwealth of Independent States USA United States of America FEZ Free Economic Zone SPECA United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation TFOE Tons of fuel oil equivalent US EIA United States Energy Information Administration FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations MDG Millennium Development Goals

CO2 Carbon oxide (IV) (carbon dioxide) SCO Shanghai Cooperation Organization ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific UNDESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs UNEP United Nations Environment Programme ЮНЕСКО United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 8

2. TAJIKISTAN: COUNTRY PROFILE 11

3. TWENTY YEARS AFTER: ACHIEVEMENTS, MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND EMERGING CHALLENGES 13

3.1. Sustainable Development Trends at the International Level 13

3.2. Sustainable Development Process in Tajikistan 15

3.3. Water Resources as an Integral Part of Sustainable Development in Tajikistan 18

4. TOWARDS A “green” ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN 22

4.1. Opportunities and Conditions for Transition to a Green Economy 22

4.2. Tajikistan’s Efforts to Transit to a Low-Carbon Economy through Using Renewable Energy Sources, Integrated Water Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability 26

4.3. Investments in Sustainable Management of Natural Resources 35

4.4. Establishment of an Adequate Market and Legal and Regulatory Framework

to Improve the Management Environment and Involve the Private Sector 38

5. ACTIONS PROPOSED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GREEN ECONOMY 42

5.1. Platform for Achieving Results 42

5.2. Rational and Efficient Use of Water Resources and Other Natural Capital to Build Sustainable Production and Consumption Models 42

5.3. Green Economy and Poverty Reduction. Social Aspects 44

5.4. Tools for Human Capital Development 46

5.5. Improving the System of Integration Processes and Economic Mechanisms Management to Strengthen Water and Energy Security in the Context of Global Climate Change 47

5.6. Contribution of Water Cooperation to the Development of a Green Economy 48

6. NEXT STEPS 52

7. ANNEXES 56

6 1 INTRODUCTION NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

INTRODUCTION

At the end of the 20th century mankind of the World Summit on Sustainable De- laid a course for sustainable develop- velopment (‘Johannesburg Plan of Im- ment, a form of the civilization transition plementation’) and a number of other to a new advanced progress model that related UNGA Resolutions3 and interna- meets the needs of the present without tional programmes, the United Nations compromising the ability of future gen- General Assembly, at its 64th Session, erations to meet their own needs. In decided, by Resolution A/RES/64/236, this regard, three interlinked dimensions to organize, in 2012, the United Nations have been identified that characterize Conference on Sustainable Develop- economic growth, social equity, and ment at the high level to be hosted in environmental protection. Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The objective of the Conference is to assess the progress Although international community’s en- to date and the remaining gaps in the deavors to achieve sustainable devel- implementation of the outcomes of the opment are increasingly intensive, dif- major summits on sustainable develop- ferences between countries, in terms of ment, address new and emerging chal- their socio-economic and technological lenges and to secure renewed political levels, are increasing, and a tendency commitment of UN member states for of negative impact on ecological sys- sustainable development. tems is still preserved. New challenges faced by mankind at the end of the 20th Focal themes to be addressed at the century and at the beginning of the 21st Conference will include: a “green” century, such as climate change, bio- economy in the context of sustainable diversity loss, financial and economic development and poverty eradica- crisis, unstable prices for energy carriers tion and the institutional framework for and food, food and energy security, ur- sustainable development. The term banization, increased unemployment ““green” economy” has not yet got its and other emerging problems, have final interpretation and, while used, it will created and still create extra bottle- be further developed and clarified. Ac- necks for sustainable development. cording to UNEP, a “green” economy is economy that results in improved hu- Considering these trends and build- man well-being and social equity, while ing on the Rio de Janeiro Declaration significantly reducing environmental risks on Environment and Development,1 and ecological scarcities.4 At this stage, Agenda 21, Programme for the Further this definition is most commonly recog- Implementation of Agenda 21, Johan- nized and spread. nesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development,2 Plan of Implementation 3 64/236. Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation 1 Report of the United Nations Conference of Agenda 21 and the Outcomes of the on Environment and Development, Rio de World Summit on Sustainable Development. Janeiro, June 3–14, 1992. 4 UNEP (2011), Towards a Green Economy: 2 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Pathways to Sustainable Development and Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, Poverty Eradication, http://www.unep.org/ August 26 — September 4, 2002. greeneconomy.

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A “green” economy is associated with energy, improvement of existing and green development, and together they search of innovative ways of develop- can be compared with “brown” and ment financing, equitable international “black” development. It is known that and trade systems, resolution of demo- “economic growth measured as an in- graphic problems, and mitigation of cli- crease in real GDP has generally been mate change and natural disasters that associated with increases in the use of are seen as a keystone of success. These energy and materials and the genera- tasks require a clear and sound rethink- tion of wastes.”5 This being the case, the ing of actions to be undertaken in transi- development scale, composition and tion to a “green” economy. technology are proximate determinants Such an approach is completely con- of environmental impacts. They are of- sistent with national interests of the Re- ten divided into two categories: scale public of Tajikistan and will form a solid (GDP) and intensity (impact per unit of basis for achieving three strategic ob- GDP). In a “green” growth scenario, in- jectives of the Tajik Government, i.e. to tensity (growth rate) declines faster than ensure food security, achieve energy in- scale (GDP) increases. Similarly, “brown” dependence and overcome the com- growth occurs when intensity declines munications isolation. The concept of more slowly than increases in scale, and a “green” economy also complies with “black” growth happens when both the Government’s course for efficient scale and intensity increase.6 Therefore, a and rational use of its natural resources conclusion can be made that with inten- to strengthen its sovereignty, overcome sive use and gradual depletion of natu- social and economic challenges as ral resources, it is only “green” economy soon as possible, increase population’s that can ensure sustainable develop- living standards, ensure environmental ment, while causing no damage to the sustainability, take a decent place in the environment and preserving a share of world community and to preserve good natural resources for future generations. neighborly and mutually beneficial rela- The world community greatly expects tions with countries all over the world. the UN Conference on Sustainable De- The approach and principles above are velopment in Rio de Janeiro (Rio+20) to addressed in the country’s key develop- facilitate the securing of new political ment documents, including National De- commitments for ensuring prospective velopment Strategy until 2015, mid-term sustainable development. This would lay poverty reduction strategies, and devel- the foundation for accelerated and jus- opment strategies of economic and so- tified transition to a “green” economy cial sectors. Efficient use and conserva- contributing to employment creation tion of natural resources as a key com- and poverty eradication through pro- ponent of transition to a “green” econ- posals on investments in conservation omy, development of the social sphere of the natural capital that determines and preservation of ecosystems are a the Earth’s future. It is elaboration of an part of the reform course undertaken in integrated approach to poverty allevia- Tajikistan based on legal regulation, es- tion, provision of access to water, sani- tablishment of adequate management tation, health services, education and mechanisms, financial and economic interest, support to the market environ- 5 Green Growth, Resources and Resilience Environmental Sustainability in Asia and ment, as well as on the United Nations the Pacific. United Nations and Asian Millennium Declaration (2000), Johan- Development Bank publication, Printed in nesburg Plan of Implementation of the Bangkok. ISBN 978-92-1-120635-7, February World Summit on Sustainable Develop- 2012 – 750. ment (2002) and other national and in- 6 P. Victor, “Ecological economics and ternational legal and regulatory acts. economic growth”, Annals of the New York Academy of Science (2010), vol. 1185, pp. There is every reason for the forthcom- 237–245.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

ing Rio+20 UN Conference to become omy, and can form a basis for attracting an important milestone in overcoming international organizations and devel- persistent and emerging problems in opment partners for elaboration of a achieving sustainable development at detailed mid- and long-term national the global, regional and national levels. “green” economy plan. Tajikistan proceeds on the assumption The National Review: Towards a Green that the development objectives and Economy in Tajikistan has been elabo- goals agreed upon internationally, in- rated under activities undertaken by cluding the MDGs, are quite achievable the Government of the Republic of Ta- if efforts of the whole world community jikistan in preparation for the UN Con- are consolidated with UN’s coordinating ference on Sustainable Development role and if developing countries are sup- (Rio+20) with the support of the United ported. Nations Department of Economic and This Review summarizes the experience Social Affairs (UNDESA) and Country Of- of pro-environmental ways of balanced fice of the United Nations Development development in Tajikistan to further pro- Programme in Tajikistan. mote a “green” economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. At the same time, most of the focus is on the role of water as the most important natural resource in all its uses in different sectors, and in the development of a “green” economy in the country. This Review demonstrates a huge potential of Tajikistan’s resources and capacities for transition to a “green” econ-

10 2 11 TAJIKISTAN: country profile

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

TAJIKISTAN: country profile

Tajikistan is a mountainous country locat- accounts for 26.4% and 73.6% respec- ed in the south-east of Central Asia. Its tively. The average population growth territory is 143.1 thsd km2, stretching 700 rate is approximately 2.5% per annum. km from the west to the east and 350 km In 2011, the official number of the eco- from the north to the south. The country nomically active population (employed borders on Uzbekistan (910 km) and Kyr- and unemployed) was 2,176.0 thsd; out gyzstan (630 km) in the west and north, of them 54.5 thsd people (2.5%) are of- Afghanistan (1,030 km) in the south, and ficially unemployed. The proportion of China (430 km) in the east. labor migrants abroad reduced from 21.9% to 13%, and that of the economi- On September 9, 2011, Tajikistan cel- cally active population increased from ebrated 20 years of its state indepen- 50.2% to 66.0%. dence. While solving complicated socio-economic, environmental and polit- Since almost all climatic zones are ob- ical tasks, Tajikistan is, in general, devel- served on its territory with a temperature oping in parallel with sustainable devel- range from +50°С to -60°С, Tajikistan opment trends to ensure prosperity, safe might be treated as a peculiar model and sustainable future of its people and of the planet. The country’s climate is to contribute to the world community’s arid with abundant warmth and signifi- development. The Republic of Tajikistan cant fluctuations of its annual param- is a developing country ranking 127th eters. The absolute lowest air tempera- in terms of human development index ture of –630С is recorded in the Eastern (2011 Human Development Report). By Pamirs, while the absolute highest air 2010, the poverty rate in the country temperature of +470С is observed in the was 46.7%. south of the country. The sunshine duration ranges between 2,100 and 3,170 By its relief, Tajikistan is a typical moun- hours per year. The average annual tainous country with absolute altitudes precipitation is 760 mm. In the alpine from 300 to 7,495 m. 93% of its territory deserts of the Eastern Pamirs, precipita- is occupied by mountains representing tion reaches only 70-160 mm, while in the highest mountain ranges in Central Central Tajikistan precipitation may ex- Asia, such as the Tian-Shan and Pamir ceed 1,800 mm. Ranges. Almost half of the Tajikistan’s territory is located at an altitude over 3,000 Tajikistan ranks first in Central Asia in m. Most part of the Tajikistan’s popula- terms of water resources. Mountainous tion and economic activities are con- and piedmont areas of the country form centrated on 7% of its territory, in valleys. a basic zone where runoff into the Aral Sea Basin is formed. Within Tajikistan, As of January 1, 2012, the Tajikistan’s 80% of runoff into the Amudarya River population is estimated at 7.8 million and 1% of runoff into the Syrdarya River people; the urban and rural population are formed. In general, this makes up 64

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km3 per annum, or 55.4% of water re- ability was achieved characterized by sources of the Aral Sea Basin. The total decreased inflation rates, predictability volume of glaciers in the country is over of the national currency exchange rate 845 km3; underground and lake waters and strengthened country’s budget sys- amount to 18.7 km3 and about 46.3 km3 tem. In 2010, Gross Domestic Product per annum respectively. (GDP) reached TJS 30.069 billion, or USD 6.2 billion. GDP per capita reached USD In Tajikistan, like in the whole world, cli- 742.8, having increased 4.7 times com- mate change is distinctly observed. For pared to that in 2000. In 2010, industry, the recent 65 years, the average annual agriculture, capital investments and air temperature has increased by 0.7- retail sales accounted for 33.4%, 38%, 0 0 1.2 С in the broad valleys, by 0.1-0.7 С in 18.9% and 25.8% of GDP respectively. the mountainous and alpine areas, and by 1.2-1.90С in cities/towns. Because of Irrigated lands account for 90% of the the climate change impacts, the coun- agricultural output in the country. In the try’s glaciers have also changed and industrial output, the highest specific are estimated to have lost, for the last weight falls on nonferrous industry (51%), 50-60 years, 20% in their volume and 30% light industry (22%), food industry (15%), in their area. flour and cereals industry (8%), etc. With very scarce oil and gas resources Tajikistan exports primarily raw materials. and difficulties for the industrial develop- These mainly include aluminum, lint cot- ment of coal deposits, Tajikistan has enor- ton, electric power, precious and semi- mous, inexhaustible reserves of hydro- precious rare earth metals, stones, items power resources (527 billion kWh per year) made out of stones, fresh vegetables ranking 8th in this regard, while ranking 1st and fruits, vegetable and fruit preserves, and 2nd in the world in terms of specific rawhide, silk, carpets, handicrafts, etc. reserves (per unit of the territory and per Tajikistan imports energy carriers, tim- capita respectively). This potential three ber, ferrous metals, products of light and times exceeds the current electric power machine-building industries, cars, agri- consumption in Central Asia; and if these cultural machinery, equipment for the resources are used efficiently the region power engineering sector, raw materials could be supplied with cheap and envi- for aluminum production, pharmaceuti- ronmentally friendly electric power. This cals, medical equipment, transportation might become a real contribution to the means, food products, etc. development of a “green” economy throughout whole Central Asia. In general, Tajikistan has political will, stable social and political situation, high Because of the difficulties associated resource potential, legal and regula- with transition to a market economy, tory framework, and institutional and the stabilization and economic growth financial and economic systems that seem to have started in Tajikistan only contribute to sustainable development in 1998. Later, macroeconomic sustain- towards a “green” economy.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20)

3 15 TWENTY YEARS AFTER: achievements, missed opportunities and emerging challenges

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

TWENTY YEARS AFTER: achievements, missed opportunities and emerging challenges

3.1 Sustainable Development Trends at the International Level The concept of sustainable develop- and health services has improved. ment emerged at the end of the 80s National commitments to sustainable of the 20th century when the UN World development have also deepened over Commission released its report Our the past years. Many governments have Common Future. The idea of sustainable already mainstreamed environmental development binds all the countries to and social concerns in their economic take collective responsibility for the eco- policies, and have deepened, particular- nomic and social development linked ly through ratification of the international to environmental protection at the lo- environmental agreements, their com- cal, national, regional and global levels. mitment to the implementation of Agen- Commitment to sustainable develop- da 21 and related national agreements, ment and key principles of its achieve- development plans and strategies. By ment are reflected in the outcome doc- October 2009, the Vienna Convention uments of many international summits, and its Montreal Protocol have been rati- including the Rio de Janeiro Declara- fied by 196 countries of the world; this en- tion on Environment and Development, sured national commitments to the pres- Agenda 21, Programme for the Further ervation of the ozone layer. Implementation of Agenda 21, Johan- Despite all the endeavors undertaken nesburg Declaration on Sustainable De- by governments and non-governmental velopment, and Johannesburg Plan of institutions, sustainable development, Implementation. however, remains a goal of the remote Owing to the world community’s par- future because of many obstacles ticular attention, a positive tendency of and system gaps in the implementa- sustainable development seems to have tion of the commitments internationally taken place over the past period. Inter agreed upon. There is still much to be alia, over the period 2000-2005, incomes done: about 1.5 billion people do not of over 120 million people have exceed- have access to reliable power supply; ed the index of “one dollar per day”; the 2,400,000,000 people do not have reli- under-five mortality rate has decreased able access to up-to-date heating sys- from 12.4 million in 1990 to 8.1 million in tems and cooking technologies; about 2009, and access to education, water 900 million people do not have access

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to safe drinking water, and almost 3 bil- development. In a “green” economy, lion people do not have access to mod- ecologically sound and efficient tech- ern sewage systems; approximately 1.4 nologies and sustainable agriculture billion people are still extremely poor, are key driving forces of the economic and 1/6 of the world population do growth, environmental security and em- not receive sufficient amount of nutri- ployment creation, and an important ents. There are implementation gaps condition for social well-being. In the in achieving the MDGs for sanitation production of end-use commodities with a half of the developing countries’ and generation of wastes, a traditional population having no access to the ad- economy combines labor, technologies equate sanitation. The global economic and resources. Contrariwise, a “green” crisis and food price growth resulted in economy has to return wastes back to higher number of the poor. The demand the production cycle, while causing for lands, water, forests, ecosystems and minimum damage to the nature. other natural resources has increased, According to the UNEP’s new report To- and they undergo further depletion wards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sus- and degradation. By 2025, depletion tainable Development and Poverty Eradi- and pollution of water resources and cation, concepts of economic growth marine environment might affect 1/3 of and environmental sustainability do not the world population. Although there at all cancel each other. On the contrary, is progress in the implementation of in- a “green” economy creates employment ternational conventions, desertification and spurs economic growth, while avoid- and land degradation, exposure to ing considerable risks such as climate pesticides, hazardous wastes and other change impacts, water scarcity increase harmful substances still threaten devel- and the loss of ecosystems services. It also oping countries. ensures higher growth of GDP and GDP The increasing demand for hydrocar- per capita. The report states that within bon fuel and changes in land use prac- 5-10 years, a “green” investment scenario tices resulted in increased greenhouse will achieve higher, than in the business as gas emissions to the atmosphere. Glob- usual scenario, annual growth rates, and al emissions increase almost by 1 billion such a growth will not adversely affect the

tons per year. As a result, CO2 concen- environment. tration in the atmosphere increases by In the development of a “green” econ- 0.5% per year, having amounted, in omy, major focus will be on enhancing 2008, to 385 million particles per 1 cu- energy and resource efficiency. So, be- bic meter. Over the past 100 years, in- cause of the substantially higher energy creased greenhouse gas concentration efficiency, it is expected that the world resulted in the increase of the average demand for energy will be, by 2050, temperature on the Earth by 0.6-0.90С. 40% less than what is expected under The growth of the population of 9 billion the business as usual scenario; by that by 2050 also exacerbates the environ- time, “green” investments will reduce mental pressure. In general, the prob- energy-related CO2 emissions by 1/3 to lems listed are interrelated and inter- compare with their current level. Higher dependent, and require an adequate resource efficiency in agriculture, indus- local, national, regional and global re- try and municipal sector would, by 2050, sponse. reduce the water demand by 20% to compare with forecasts based on the In this context, the world community existing trends. treats the concept of a “green” economy as one of the drivers of sustainable As it is noted in the above UNEP’s Report,

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

“green” investments are a key factor in is also rather important. achievement of green growth. Accord- The Rio+20 Conference is expected to ing to the scenarios elaborated, transi- provide an opportunity to lay a course tion to a green economy in 2012-2050 for the establishment of a more sustain- can be ensured by annual contribution able, safe and equitable world. As it was of 2% of global GDP (approximately USD noted by Mr. Sha Zukang, the Secretary- 1.3 billion of current global GDP) to key General of the United Nations Confer- sectors, such as agriculture, housing and ence on Sustainable Development, in public utilities sector, power engineering, his statement at the second session of fishery, forestry, industry, tourism, trans- the Preparatory Committee, “Rio-2012 port, waste and water resources man- will be one of the most important events agement. Such investments, however, in the coming decades. We all want an should be supported by the reforming of ambitious, action-oriented and bold national and international polices. outcome document that would out- Here, such tools as a taxation system, line clear pathways for transition to a staff’s professional competency, train- green economy, while allowing eradi- ing and education that could contribute cating poverty and establishing better to the attraction of “green” investments institutions.”7 and innovations will play a great role. The strengthening of the international 7 Towards a Green Economy. http://www. un.org/ru/development/desa/news/ guidance and cooperation mecha- sustainable/development-green-economy. nisms for transition to a green economy shtml

3.2 Sustainable Development Process IN Tajikistan Having become independent, Tajiki- velopment Strategy until 2015 as a pro- stan launched, in the early 90s of the gramme basis. On the basis of this Strat- past century, its political and economic egy, mid-term poverty reduction strate- reforms. Transition to market relations is gies are adopted every three years for based on national traditions and best implementation. Sectoral strategies and practices of foreign countries. To en- development programmes are regu- courage entrepreneurship and reduce larly adopted and implemented to de- poverty rate in the country, the reforms velop various sectors of the economy. established legal bases for the new po- In 2005, the Government jointly with UN litical and economic system of state prepared the MDG Needs Assessment in governance in line with the democratic Tajikistan; according to this assessment, principles and market requirements. This the total cost of achieving the MDGs resulted in the reforming of the civil ser- amounts to USD 12.98 billion. In 2007, the vice system, establishment of the mixed Government of Tajikistan approved the market economy, implementation of the Concept for Transition to Sustainable De- land reform, initiation and deepening of velopment of the Republic of Tajikistan state property privatization, and reform- identifying a vision, principles, goals, ob- ing and strengthening of the education jectives and key mechanisms for sustain- material and technical base, while con- able development through integration tributing to the formation of real owners, of economic, environmental and social stability and social well-being. concerns to improve living standards of the country’s population. The Government of the Republic of Ta- jikistan has adopted the National De- Implementation of the institutional re-

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forms, establishment of an adequate 2010 compared to that in 2001.8 The legal framework through adoption of minimum pension increased from TJS 80 a number of new laws and legal and (USD 17.35) in 2010 to TJS 150 (USD 31.6) regulatory documents, and adoption of in 2012. The average pension to aver- short-, mid- and long-term development age salary ratio increased from 26% to strategies and programmes have provid- 30%, which is lower than the minimum ed an adequate basis for the country’s ratio of 40% established by the interna- social and economic development and tional standards. conservation of the environmental bal- On average, 130,000-150,000 new jobs ance. In 2011, country’s GDP reached TJS are created in the republic every year 30,069.3 million; GDP per capita reached under the implementation of the State TJS 3,866 (USD 838.7) with the growth rate Employment Assistance Programme. The amounting to 7.4% to compare with that Tajikistan’s migration policy also contrib- of the previous year. Services, trade, ag- utes to job opportunities abroad, and riculture, industry, and construction are provides some guarantees to labor mi- the dominant sectors in contribution to grants. According to the official data, GDP. These figures are low to compare 700,000 Tajik citizens are currently working with those in developed countries; how- abroad, remitting about USD 1.5 billion ever, with the stable annual growth rate per year to their families who remained in equal to 8-10%, the country could dou- the country. Over the period 2001-2010, ble its GDP every 10 years. the internal migration policy allowed re- Focused social policy, with mecha- settling about 13,000 families and provid- nisms of targeted social protection of ing them with jobs. Currently, there are the population, has also contributed to 55.5 thsd officially unemployed people in the strengthened stability and improved the country, accounting for 2.6% of the life quality in the country. Real salary in- economically active population. creased 3 times in 2006 and 5 times in There are 3,357 educational institutions,

8 National Human Development Report. Tajikistan: Institutions and Development. UNDP, 2012.

30000 3500

25000 3000 2500 20000 2000 15000

1500

mln Somoni 10000 Somoni/man 1000

5000 500 6921 7064 7216 7374 7530 7616 0 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Years

Population, thousand man GDP, mln Somoni Unit GDP, Somoni/man

Figure 3.1 Growth of GDP and population in Tajikistan

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

with 1.5 million students, functioning in mate Change, having ratified its Kyoto the republic. Over 100,000 students study Protocol in 2008. The Government de- at 30 higher institutions and 72 second- veloped and approved the National ary technical schools; over 1,000 health Action Plan for Climate Change Mitiga- facilities provide services to the urban tion and prepared the First and Second and rural population. Public expendi- National Communications of the Re- tures on education, as percent of GDP, public of Tajikistan under the United Na- increased from 2.3% in 2000 to 4.8% in tions Framework Convention on Climate 2010. Such an increase falls primarily on Change. In 2010, the State Programme the past 5 years; this is associated with on Glaciers Study and Protection for reforms implemented in the republic’s 2010-2030 was adopted. education system. Tajikistan ranks 154th among over 200 The steps undertaken and macroeco- countries of the world in terms of spe-

nomic stability achieved allowed reduc- cific carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In ing the poverty rate from 81% in 1999 to Tajikistan, per capita greenhouse gas 46.7% by 2010 and establishing a basis emissions are less than 1 ton per capita for the further economic growth and per year, and a share of the country’s improvement in quality of basic social emissions in the region is just 5%. This is services. The proportion of the popula- primarily attributed to the use of hydro tion living on less than USD 1.25 per day resources that provide environmentally reduced to 21.5%. friendly electric power; their proportion in the country’s energy balance is 98%. The country’s social and economic development takes account of envi- The general public is also involved in ronmental protection and rational use the process of the country’s sustainable of natural resources, such as land, wa- development. There is a Public Council ter, etc. To this end, the Government established in the country; annual meet- has developed a number of legislative ings of the President with the intelligen- and legal and regulatory documents, tsia, youth, women and other groups programmes and concepts. Tajikistan are conducted where the authority ratified, and became a party to, 10 holds dialogues with the public on press- conventions, protocols and agree- ing problems facing the society and ments related to environmental and ways of their resolution. With the support sustainable development problems. of international organizations, environ- To prioritize measures and focal areas mental NGOs perform a programme of of activities on rational use of natural great significance for the country, i.e. resources and to further improve the development and implementation of environment, the Government has Local Environmental Action Plans. adopted the National Environmental In general, Tajikistan has a unique eco- Action Plan of the Republic of Tajiki- logical potential, huge hydropower re- stan (2006) and State Ecological Pro- sources and fresh water, diverse miner- gramme of the Republic of Tajikistan als, favorable conditions for growing for 2009-2019 (2009). environmentally friendly food products, Climate change resulting, according to and real opportunities for ecotourism expert estimates, in decrease in the gla- development. Together with the avail- cier area by 30% and decrease in the able human capacity and adequate in- ice volume by 20% takes a special place stitutional and legal framework, this con- among other environmental protection tributes, to a large extent, to Tajikistan’s activities. In 1998, Tajikistan acceded to transition to sustainable development. the UN Framework Convention on Cli-

20 21 3.3 Water Resources as an Integral Part of Sustainable Development in Tajikistan World development practices show and 65/154, the year of 2003 as the Inter- that with the demographic growth in national Year of Fresh Water, the years the midst of global climate change of 2005-2015 as the International De- and continued functioning of the cade for Action ‘Water for Life’, and the “brown economy”, water problems are year of 2013 as the International Year of increasingly deepening. Water is the Water Cooperation. most valuable, irreplaceable resource It’s remarkable that having huge water for life and health and for the develop- resources and taking, in this relation, ment of many sectors of the economy, one of the leading positions in both such as agriculture, industry and elec- Central Asia and the world, Tajikistan tric power generation. Sustainable wa- comes out as an initiator of water prob- ter resources management, therefore, lems resolution. is crucial for poverty eradication. Water is also a factor forming regional rela- With their total volume estimated at 845 tions that determine, to a large extent, km3, the glaciers form a basis of water re- peace and security. sources in the country. There are 14,509 glaciers in the country with their total The Government of the Republic of Ta- glaciation area of 11,146 km². There are jikistan pays a special attention to water 947 rivers flowing through the republic’s issues and their resolution at the national, territory with their total length exceeding regional and global levels. Deep under- 28,500 km. Within Tajikistan, 80% of runoff standing of the growing water problems into the Amudarya River and 1% of run- and a need to elaborate international off into the Syrdarya River are formed. community’s coordinated activities on In general, this makes up 64 km³ per an- their resolution served as a basis for a num, equal to 55.4% of the total runoff number of water initiatives proposed into the Aral Sea Basin. Over 46.3 km3 of by His Excellency the President Emomali water is concentrated in the lakes of Ta- Rakhmon and supported by the interna- jikistan, out of which 20 km3 is fresh wa- tional community. On the basis of these ter. There are 10 water reservoirs in Tajiki- initiatives, the UN General Assembly de- stan with a total capacity of 15,353 km3. clared, by its Resolutions 55/196, 58/217

Table 1. Water resources formation in the Aral Sea Basin

Amudarya Syrdarya Total Countries km3 % km3 % km3 % Kazakhstan - - 4,50 12,12 4,50 3,89 Kyrgyzstan 1,90 2,42 27,40 73,77 29,30 25,35 Tajikistan 62,90 80,17 1,10 2,96 64,00 55,36 Turkmenistan 2,78 3,54 - - 2,78 2,40 (with Iran) Uzbekistan 4,70 5,99 4,14 11,15 8,84 7,65 Afghanistan 6,18 7,88 0,00 0,00 6,18 5,35 TOTAL 78,46 100,00 37,14 100,00 115,60 100,00

Source: Main provisions of water strategy of the Aral Sea Basin, 1996

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

They regulate 23.9% of the stream flow kWh per km² per year) and per capita formed on its territory, and 17.5% of the (73.8 thsd kWh per capita per year), the stream flow taking account of the inflow country ranks 1st and 2nd respectively. from the neighboring states. Tajikistan’s In Tajikistan, modern use of hydropower groundwater resources are estimated at resources allows generating about 17 18.7 km³ per year, and useful groundwa- billion kWh of electric power per year, ter resources amount to 2.8 km³ per year. which is about 3% of the available po- In Tajikistan, key water consumers are ir- tential. Hydropower engineering ac- rigated agriculture, utility and drinking counts for over 98% of the country’s water supply, industry and fishery ac- energy balance. Industry, agriculture, counting for 85%-90%, up to 8.5%, up to transport and communications, and 4.5% and up to 2% of the total volume of population’s domestic and household water consumption respectively. These consumption are the primary consum- most important components of the water ers of electric power. In principle, these complex form the basis for the national are the key sectors ensuring economic development in Tajikistan. In the country, development, and the country GDP’s drinking water supply and sanitation are composition is an evidence of this. priority water uses; however, all uses are Tajikistan does not have sufficient gas behind hydropower engineering and irri- and oil resources, and existing coal re- gated agriculture in terms of importance sources are located primarily in moun- for economic development. tainous hard-to-reach areas; thus, de- The Tajikistan’s hydropower potential is es- velopment of the available hydropower timated at 527 billion kWh per year, which potential is a key for achieving energy 3 times exceeds the current consumption independence as one of the Govern- of the Central Asian states. Tajikistan ranks ment’s strategic objectives. On the oth- 8th in terms of total hydropower resourc- er hand, development of hydropower es, behind China, Russia, US, Brazil, Zaire, resources is economically and environ- India and Canada in the ranking. In terms mentally sound. In Tajikistan, production of specific indices of hydropower poten- cost of 1 kWh of hydroelectric power tial per one square kilometer (3,682.7 thsd is estimated at 0.4 cents, while electric

70 64,0 60 50 40 29,3 30 20 4,5 8,84 10 6,18 2,78 0 Average annual flow, cub km/year

Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Afghanistan Turkmenistan (with IR Iran)

Figure 3.2 Formation of water resources in Aral sea basin

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power generation at TPPs, using import- Irrigated agriculture accounts for 90% of ed gas and residual oil, costs 6-7 cents. the agricultural production in the country, In environmental terms, use of hydro- thus significantly contributing to the eco- electric power is justified by its friend- nomic growth and food security. Irrigated liness, i.e. lack of CO2 emissions as a agriculture is also important for the pop- primary cause of atmosphere pollution ulation’s employment. Over 70% of the and climate change as such. This is also Tajikistan’s population lives in rural areas, quite consistent with the concept of a and most of the employable population “green” economy calling for carbon- there is engaged in agriculture. Agricul- free economic development. ture accounts for about 30% of the country’s export potential. In the export struc- Having a huge hydropower potential, ture, cotton (USD 201 million), fresh and Tajikistan, for the past 15 years, has an- dried fruits (USD 167 million) grown on the nually been experiencing a significant irrigated lands are dominant.9 shortage of hydroelectric power in the fall-winter period when river runoff sub- Tajikistan’s recreational resources are stantially decreases and volume of wa- also a potential of the country’s future ter reservoirs prevents accumulation of development; they exceed agricultural water in amount sufficient to cover its potential opportunities in terms of earning scarcity in the winter period. First of all, capacity and employment opportuni- this affects health and living standards ties. Tajikistan has 162 natural landscape of the population, particularly its vulner- monuments, over 200 sources of mineral able groups such as old people, women waters, 18 mud and saline lakes. Now, and children. During this period, schools the actual availability of sanatorium-re- are closed, and governmental institu- sort complexes is estimated at 5 places tions and hospitals work in a limited re- per 10,000 people, or admission capacity gime. Electric power shortage severely of about 4,000 people at one time; the affects the country’s economy, too. total available capacity is equivalent to Nearly all small industries stop function- the admission capacity of 50,000 people ing in the winter period. All this results in at one time. These resources are good increased unemployment, social ten- for national and foreign capital to be sion, and significantly decreased eco- invested in, and in future they may be- nomic growth rates. come one of the key components of the country’s economic development. Amidst the huge potential available, such a situation requires acceleration of Tajikistan also has an excellent resource the Government’s course for develop- base for bottling mineral and table water. ment of hydropower resources to ensure Because of the domestic production, the social and economic development and internal market is considerably saturated improve well-being of the population. with this water. Attraction of internal and external investments and establishment Irrigated agriculture is also a strategi- of joint-venture and joint-stock compa- cally significant sector of the country’s nies and other enterprises might increase economy. There are 1,573 thsd ha of po- export volumes of these waters to a maxi- tentially irrigable lands in Tajikistan; out mum extent, contributing to the econom- of them, 744,000 ha are developed and ic growth and employment creation. irrigated. Over 45% of the irrigated lands lie in the pump irrigation zones where Water resources are also crucial for con- over 2,000,000 people live. In Tajikistan, servation of ecological systems, espe- per-capita availability of the irrigated cially wetlands and protected areas, lands is the lowest in the Aral Sea Basin, 9 Goskomstat of the Republic of Tajikistan. amounting to 0.0976 ha (2011). Goods export in 1993-2010, data as of 2011.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

among which the Tigrovaya Balka and will lead to rather severe consequences. the Tajik National Park of biosphere sig- Over the recent years, some other coun- nificance are the most important. tries in the region, along with Tajikistan, have also been experiencing electric Along with social and economic ben- power shortage. On the other hand, in efits, water resources may also have a low-water and drought years the region negative impact. Tajikistan is a moun- faces a serious problem of water short- tainous country, and severe geographi- age in connection with water reservoirs’ cal conditions make it vulnerable to insufficient capacities. This was especial- natural disasters, such as mudflows and ly obvious in the years of 2000-2001 and floods that happen up to 25 times per a 2008. There are also problems related to decade. During floods, the flow veloc- spring floods in high-water years. ity in mountainous rivers may reach 60- 80 km per hour. In especially high-water A solution to all these problems could years, damage caused to Tajikistan by be the development of the Tajikistan’s floods and mudflows reaches tens of mil- hydropower potential through the con- lions of US dollars. The cost of 2010 mud- struction of hydroelectric power plants flows and floods amounted to over USD and water reservoirs that would allow 600 million. This seriously undercuts the solving the above problems at a time, country’s efforts to achieve develop- including the generation of cheap and ment goals and objectives agreed upon environmentally friendly electric pow- internationally, including the MDGs. er, ensuring of the reliable water supply to the irrigated lands, protection Tajikistan’s water and hydropower re- against mudflows and floods, mitiga- sources have a huge importance for tion of droughts, significant saving of oil, achieving sustainable development in gas and coal resources and reduction the regional context, too. Currently, or- of carbon dioxide emissions to the at- ganic fuel, such as gas, oil, and coal mosphere. It’s remarkable that this or- whose reserves deplete each year, ac- ganically fits into the course of interna- counts for over 70% of the electric power tional activities on transition to the use generated in the region. According to of renewable energy sources treated SPECA, gas and oil resources will com- as a key priority on the way towards our pletely deplete in 60 years, and further planet’s ecology improvement and de- development under the current scenario velopment of a “green” economy.

24 4 TOWARDS A «GREEN» ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

TOWARDS A “GREEN” ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

4.1 Opportunities and Conditions for Transition TO a “Green” Economy

Current status. Having become, in 1991, developed world economic centers, independent, Tajikistan launched com- lack of its own hydrocarbon resources, prehensive economic and political re- natural and geographic fragmentation forms that are constantly deepening of the country into regions, low capacity towards establishment of a democratic of the internal market, facts of political secular state and developed market instability in the region around the coun- economy. In Tajikistan, transition to new try, high transaction costs, high costs of relations has its peculiarities and chal- natural disaster prevention and mitiga- lenges. The country has not yet achieved tion measures, and other contemporary the economic growth levels of the be- challenges made the resolution of these ginning of the 90s of the past century. problems twice more difficult. Sustainable development in the country depends upon a whole set of compli- The Government of Tajikistan is imple- cated tasks related to the recovery and menting programmes for enhancing upgrading of production capacities, de- state governance efficiency, develop- velopment and strengthening of inter- ing entrepreneurship, creating an at- national economic relations, introduc- tractive investment climate for national tion of advanced market mechanisms, and foreign investors, increasing com- improvement of social and economic petition levels, overcoming infrastruc- conditions of the population, ensuring of tural constraints to growth, increasing the food and energy security, improve- human capital levels, solving problems ment of education and specialists train- related to external migration manage- ing, ensuring of the state security and ment, reforming the governance sys- protection of human rights, environmen- tem in the most important sectors of the tal protection, civil society activation in economy and on the ground, improving the country’s social and economic de- efficiency of the international coopera- velopment, and a number of other tasks. tion, ensuring unequivocal law enforcement, protecting human rights, and de- Initially, a need of post-conflict economy veloping civil society. rehabilitation, high poverty and unemployment rates made the achievement Opportunities. In order to help “change of sustainable development, produc- individual and collective behavior” in tion modernization and environmental life styles, consumption and production conservation in Tajikistan complicated. models, “transition to a “green” econ- Country’s remoteness from sea ports and omy requires fundamental changes in

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our thinking and actions.”10 According recover a brown economy, but to imme- to UN, transition to a “green” economy diately and directly introduce a “green” is estimated at approximately USD 2 tril- economy. This will allow Tajikistan to save, lion per year, including the greening of during the next decades, both time and infrastructure. This being the case, it is money. This, however, can be achieved expected that consumer food, energy only through cooperation with, and and accommodation prices will contin- large-scale technical and technologi- ue increasing all over the world. Given cal support of, developed countries. It the current economic situation, it is dif- is hoped that developed countries will ficult to uniquely assess Tajikistan’s op- share their advanced green technolo- portunities to green its economy. Tajiki- gies free of charge; otherwise, the world stan is a developing country, and in the will still be divided into the “developed” foreseeable future it will need external and “developing”, “full” and “hungry”. investments. There are fears that because of the investments in the devel- Tajikistan’s potential opportunities for opment of their own green economies, transition to a “green” economy are its developed donor countries will reduce readiness to undertake relevant eco- their assistance to developing countries. nomic management reforms and es- Given such possible risks related to ex- tablish enabling conditions for the wide ternal investments, development of the involvement of the civil society in the national economy, therefore, should be introduction of “green” elements in all primarily linked to higher efficiency of areas of life. Environmental protection in the use of available material, technical, the context of a “green” economy will financial, human and natural resources. be directly mainstreamed in the consumption and production spheres. As it is highlighted in the UNDP’s remarks in preparation for Rio+20, “green” is not Tajikistan’s real opportunities for transi- everything: our future is “trifecta” poli- tion to a “green” economy are its natu- cies and programmes: a key to accel- ral resources: erate progress towards sustainable de- − more than half of the Central Asian velopment is broadened by a “trifecta” fresh water resources; of policies and programmes linking eco- − huge hydropower resources; nomic, social and environmental ele- − land resources, including vast ar- 11 ments of sustainable development. eas of undeveloped valley and Given high population growth rates and mountain lands suited for the agri- a need for adequate social and eco- cultural production; nomic development of the country, − favorable natural and climate “brown economy” requires huge natural conditions for the agricultural de- resources (land, water, air, mineral re- velopment and generation of en- sources, flora and fauna, recreational re- vironmentally friendly agricultural sources, etc.). In this context, “more bal- products; anced development mechanisms” are − favorable natural conditions for required.12 Tajikistan has an opportunity the development of tourism and to use its backward economy not just to recreation in general; and − availability of various mineral re- 10 UN and Green Economy, http://www. sources. warandpeace.ru/ru/news/view/68882/ Tajikistan’s infrastructural opportunities are: 11 UNDP’s communications “narrative” for Rio+20, 2012. − widespread national transporta- 12 Concept for Transition to Sustainable tion and communications system; Development of the Republic of Tajikistan − developed phone and mobile approved by Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 500 dated communications system; October 1, 2007. − availability of high-powered pow-

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

er engineering facilities; and tivities are related to ensuring sustain- − large-scale drinking water supply, able development. The country has sewage, irrigation, drainage and signed a number of international and re- pasture watering system. gional multilateral and bilateral agreements on the joint use and protection of There are also the following opportuni- natural resources.17 ties and national systems of human resources development:13 Tajikistan makes efforts to develop its economy and achieve the MDGs under − great number of the employable the implementation of the National De- population; velopment Strategy of the Republic of − system of secondary, secondary Tajikistan until 2015 and mid-term Pover- special and higher education; and ty Reduction Strategies, including those − national health system. for 2007-2009 and 2010-2012. The Re- Conditions. Tajikistan’s sustainable devel- public of Tajikistan actively participates opment is viewed as an element of sus- in the implementation of the Regional tainable development of the world com- Environmental Action Plan (REAP) jointly munity, and its national goals and objec- developed under the auspices of the tives are seen as the implementation of Interstate Commission on Sustainable goals and objectives stated in declara- Development (ICSD) with the support of tions and international agreements.14 At ADB, UNEP and UNDP and in the prepa- the same time, the primary objective of ration of the Framework Convention on transition to sustainable development Environment for Sustainable Develop- and “green” economy should be con- ment of Central Asia, and also supports sistent with the MDGs and Tajikistan’ as- the preparation of the Central Asia Sus- pirations for ensuring its stable social and tainable Development Strategy. economic development. In general, the When Tajikistan acceded, in 2001, to the country’s current policy is consistent with Aarhus Convention, the first Aarhus cen- the principles of sustainable develop- tre was established in Dushanbe with ment. the OSCE support under the Environ- Tajikistan has acceded to a number of ment and Security Initiative. Currently, international conventions,15 implements there are 4 Aarhus centers in Dushanbe, 18 programmes and activities under them, Khujand, Kurgan-Tyube and Khorog and is a member of many international that actively share environmental infor- and regional organizations16 whose ac- mation and knowledge with the population. Under these activities, an review 13 The current education and health systems of the current environmental legislation have a lot of gaps; the existence and has been performed and relevant legis- reforming of these systems, however, offers lative acts have been promoted. hope for step-by-step increase in their efficiency. Using its real opportunities, Tajikistan per- 14 Concept for Transition to Sustainable forms activities to ensure sustainability of Development of the Republic of Tajikistan approved by Decree of the Government ICWC, ICSD, etc. of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 500 dated 17 Tajikistan is a Party to bilateral and October 1, 2007. multilateral agreements on economic 15 Tajikistan has acceded to 10 global cooperation, joint use of water resources, environmental conventions and protocols, planning of their development, information including the UN Convention on Climate exchange and other joint activities signed Change, Convention on Biodiversity with the Central Asian states, Afghanistan, Conservation, and Convention to Combat Russia, Belarus, other CIS, and non-CIS Desertification. countries. 16 Tajikistan is a member of a number of 18 Public Participation for a Safe Environment. regional and subregional organizations The Aarhus centers. OSCE Magazine, No. within the UN system, SCO, EurAsEC, IFAS, 3/2011.

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its economic development, strengthen employment opportunities for the whole state power ensuring political stability, employable population, improvement security, social equity and public order of economic, technical, technological and to provide every citizen with op- and environmental education quality, portunities to develop in a healthy eco- development of the regional and in- nomic and social environment. Forced ternational integration and trade, and use of significant financial, material and development of the country’s export technical resources to ensure security potential through the production of and preserve the country’s defense ca- “green” products. pacity, however, significantly decreases tempos of the achievement of the ob- Creating conditions for the develop- jectives set.19 ment of a “green” economy is seen as a long process, and sustainable develop- With its diverse natural resources and ment in Tajikistan will be implemented at sufficient human capital, the country, the initial stage in the following areas: however, can successfully achieve sustainable economic development. Hav- − building of a pro-social market ing rather limited hydrocarbon resourc- economy; es, Tajikistan, using the concept of a − efficient economic management “green” economy, can choose a new and careful use of natural resourc- model of economic development, i.e. es; and use of all natural resources on the ba- − establishment of a civil society. sis of wide application of “green” tech- To achieve success in these areas, it is nologies and, on their basis, creation of needed to implement deep reforms to 19 Tajikistan has to spend huge funds to improve governmental economic man- protect its frontiers from drug trafficking and agement and social development insti- potential terrorist threats. tutions.

4.2 Tajikistan’s Efforts to Transit to a Low- Carbon Economy through Using Renewable Energy Sources, Integrated Water Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability According to UNEP, transition to a low- Nevertheless, sustainability of the next carbon, resource-efficient economy stage of their development will be con- can be initiated by investing in 10 key nected with the step-by-step introduc- sectors just 2% of global GDP. Transition tion of a “green” economy. to a “green” economy can be ensured by annual contribution, in 2012-2050, While “brown” and “black” economies of approximately USD 1.3 billion to key are preserved, there is a tendency to sectors, such as agriculture, housing increase material costs associated with and public utilities, power engineering, the intensive use of natural resources fishery, forestry, industry, tourism, trans- and environmental pollution (Figure 4.1). port, waste and water resources man- At the same time, up-to-date resource- agement. Focused and efficient use of saving technologies are used primarily these investments, however, can be in developed countries, and developing ensured by the adequate reforming of countries use relatively lagging technol- national and international polices. ogies that pollute the environment. Developing countries, including Ta- Use of “green” technologies will mean jikistan, have a huge unused potential. the replacement or initial use of re-

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

80 FORECAST 70 60 50 40 30 20

Consumption, billion ton/year 10 0 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Years

Biomassa Mineral resources Metall Fossile fuel Sum World consumption

Figure 4.1 Consupmtion of natural resources by World production

source-saving technologies, management of the tariff system, measurement ment and labor organization methods of energy and water consumption, ex- intended to save resources, reforming of pansion of forest areas, etc. Country- management institutions, minimization wide introduction of up-to-date energy- of losses of natural resources when using saving equipment in all sectors of the them in production, and prevention of economy, training of highly qualified any types of corruption. specialists, development of science and technologies, awareness raising among Air Pollution. In Tajikistan with its scarce the population as energy and resource hydrocarbon resources, transition to a consumers remain a parallel pathway to low-carbon economy is of strategic im- transit to a “green” economy. portance, and it is implemented in a broad range of areas, first of all, through At the current stage of Tajikistan’s devel- the development of small and large opment, major contributors to the total hydropower engineering, ensuring of emissions by stationary pollution sources energy and resource saving, improve- are iron and steel, chemical, mining and energy enterprises. other substances Since 2009, emissions have been re- nitrogen oxide duced by 5% as a result of the recon- hydrocarbons struction of gas purification plants, modernization of some industries, imple- sulfur dioxide mentation of environmental protection твердые вещества measures and strengthening of state control over vehicles’ exhaust emissions. carbon oxide This being the case, emissions by station- 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 ary sources decreased from 41.2 thsd Percentage tons to 39.0 thsd tons, or by 5.34%; and Рис. 4.2. Pollutant emissions to the emissions by mobile sources decreased atmosphere, 2009 from с 261.6 thsd tons to 249.1 thsd tons, Source: Committee for Environmental Protection under or by 4.8%. Works in this direction are still the Government of the RT being undertaken.

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Efforts to decrease amount of CO2 in 2002. The Government of Tajikistan ap- emissions are closely connected with the proved the Regulations On Order of Im- porting Ozone-Depleting Substances to increase of economic energy efficiency the Republic of Tajikistan and On State Li- and will provide an opportunity to get censing of Activities Related to the Use of the double dividend effect. Specific Ozone-Depleting Substances and Prod- decrease of the hydrocarbon fuel use ucts Containing Such Substances (2002). There have been established three Tech- has a positive impact on sustainability nological Centers for Recovery and Re- of power supply in Tajikistan. Use of cycling of Ozone-Depleting Substances hybrid vehicles, road rehabilitation and in Tajikistan, and 129 sets of the relevant improvement, and other activities will equipment were distributed to all regions give 2-3-fold effects and contribute to of the country. Recycling and reuse of ozone-depleting substances prevented sustainable economic development. emission of 153.2 metric tons of ozone- depleting substances to the atmosphere. In most cities/towns and industrial centers of the republic, the atmosphere Currently, the greenhouse gas emissions quality is within the standard rate of 0.04 have decreased, accounting for about kg per capita. In general, atmosphere is 35-40% of the emission level of 1990 (Fig- protected in accordance with the Na- ure 4.2). As the economy grows, howev- tional Environmental Action Plan of the er, it will be necessary to implement ad- Republic of Tajikistan adopted in 2006 equate measures to prevent increase in and State Ecological Programmes for the emission volumes. 1998-2008 and 2009-2019. Among the Central Asian states, Tajikistan Commitments undertaken by the Re- contributes the least, only 2-3%, to the public of Tajikistan under the Vienna total emissions, which is due to consider- Convention and Montreal Protocol are able use of hydropower resources, rela- performed at the level of the National tively small number of transport vehicles, Programme on Ozone-Depletion Sub- industrial and agricultural restructuring. stances Mitigation. This Programme was Per capita greenhouse gas emissions in approved by GEF and Tajik Government Tajikistan are almost 5 times less than the

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ton 30 : 25

metric 20 15 10 thousand 5 0 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Total Tajikistan Dushanbe city RRS Sughd oblast Khatlon oblast

Figure 4.3. Emission of hazardous substances by stationary emitters into atmosphere in 1998-2010. Source: Goscomstat Tajikistan Note: Badakhshon oblast not emitting hazardous substabces

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

average global level, and its contribution to global warming is modest. Azerbaijan

Renewable Energy Sources. Tajikistan Belarus is generously endowed with enormous

environmentally friendly renewable en- Georgia ergy sources, such as water and sun. If

hydropower generation is currently the Kazakhstan most widespread and efficient way of

power generation, use of solar energy Kirgizstan is now constrained by low efficiency of

the existing technologies and high spe- Moldova cific capital costs. To improve the social and economic Russia conditions of its population and achieve average global levels, Tajikistan should Tajikistan increase its economic growth 6.8÷8.5 times against the current level. Such a Ukraine growth can be achieved only through power engineering development and, Uzbekistan first of all, development of hydropower 0 20 40 60 80 100 engineering. Increased energy efficien- Percentage cy may then ensure approximately a Coal Hydropower Gas Nuklear power plant Oil half of the required economic growth with another half to be ensured only Figure 4.4. Sources of energy generation in FSU countries[1], average 1993−2007. through increased energy consump- Note: The absence of appropriate diagram minds absence of tion, which is 10 to 20 times more effi- appropriate source of energy in relevant country cient than energy export. Construction of large and small HEPPs in Tajikistan as kWh per year, but only 5% of them have a tool of supporting the Kyoto Protocol been used so far. Tajikistan has 10 large to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and over 265 small HEPPs with a total becomes a top priority, and there are capacity of 5,070 MW, and two thermal huge opportunities in this regard. power plants with a capacity of 318 MW. The annual electric power generation No doubt sustainable power supply of amounts to approximately 17 billion kWh. the economy will remain one of the About 98% of electric power is generat- guarantees of sustainable developed by hydroelectric power plants (Figure ment of countries all over the world. This 4.3). Located on the Vakhsh River, the is particularly important for developing multi-purpose Nurek HEPP, largest in Tajik- countries that do not have developed istan with a 300-meter-high dam and ca- energy infrastructure. This is completely pacity of 3,000,000 kW, generates over consistent with the implementation of 11 billion kWh of electric power per year. the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative Completion of the construction of the Ro- launched by the UN General Secretary ghun HEPP with a capacity of 3,600 MW with the aim to create conditions for the and yearly electric power output of 13.1 reproduction of other countries’ suc- billion kWh is a priority for the Tajik power cessful experiences.20 engineering and is a profitable invest- Tajikistan’s hydropower resources, tech- ment for investors. The feasibility study of nically and economically feasible at this this project is currently being implement- development stage, constitute 317 billion ed with the support of the World Bank to study the project’s transboundary social 20 UNDP’s communications “narrative” for and environmental impacts. Together Rio+20, 2012, and Message of the President. with the other water reservoirs, this HEPP’s

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water reservoir, with a capacity of 13.3 of the installed capacity. Although unit km3, will ensure multi-year regulation of costs of small HEPPs are a bit higher than the runoff into the Amudarya Basin to in- those of large hydroelectric power plants crease sustainability of water supply for and such HEPPs have uneven seasonal about 5 million ha of lands in the riparian water availability, they are still very im- states in low-water and drought periods. portant for power supply to the isolated Further development of power engineer- mountainous areas remote from high- ing and construction of water reservoirs voltage transmission lines. Development in Tajikistan, in cooperation with the in- of these resources will provide multiple terested neighboring states in the region, benefits: supply of the population with may become a solid foundation for sus- accessible electric power, decreased tainable development and joint transi- logging of mountain forests, decreased tion to a “green” economy. greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere as a result of the reduced use of Along with the general electric power coal as fuel, and increased well-being shortage in the winter period, its supply of the mountainous areas’ population. to the mountainous areas remote from the basic infrastructure is also a pressing Currently, different countries are making problem for Tajikistan. Apart from devel- efforts to increase the proportion of non- opment of large hydropower engineer- traditional energy sources, such as sun, ing, great importance is also attached biogas and biofuel. The European Union to the construction of micro and small has set a task to produce, by 2020, 20% hydroelectric power plants, particularly of its energy from renewable energy in the mountainous areas. To this end, sources. According to the forecasts of the Government of Tajikistan has adopt- the U.S. Energy Information Administra- ed the Long-Term Programme for Small tion (US EIA), in 2030 the USA will gen- HEPPs Construction for 2009-202021 that erate from renewable energy sources implies three implementation stages: about 12.5% of the total electric power. At the same time, such an increase will − Short-term activities – 2009-2011: be ensured, to a large extent, by the use in total, 66 electric power plants of wind energy; currently, the USA pro- with a total installed capacity of duce 8% of electric power from renew- 43,530 kW; able energy sources, primarily, from hy- − Mid-term activities – 2012-2015: dropower resources and biomass. 70 electric power plants with a total installed capacity of 32,850 Having huge hydropower resources, kW; and Tajikistan treats nontraditional energy − Long-term activities – 2016-2020: sources as alternative energy sources in total, 53 electric power plants at the level of collective and individual with a total installed capacity of farms, separate enterprises, and also in 26,801 kW. case if there are no other energy sources. Because of the systematic growth Thus, 189 small electric power plants with of the electric power prices over the a total installed capacity of 103,181 kW recent years, the population, however, and annual output of 641,645.9 thsd kWh shows sufficient deal of interest in using will have been constructed by 2020. these energy sources. The overall capacity of small HEPPs in Ta- Tajikistan has a significant solar ener- jikistan exceeds 30,000 MW, or 100 billion gy potential. According to the surveys kWh per year. Unit cost of their construc- conducted, 60-80% of the population’s tion is about USD 2,500-3,000 per 1 kW demand for electric power can be sat- isfied, during 10 months in the year, by 21 The Programme has been approved by solar energy. The country has a huge Decree of the Government of the Republic potential to develop solar power engi- of Tajikistan No. 73 dated 02.02.2009.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

neering since solar radiation in Tajikistan − Undertake focused activities to is one of the most intensive in Central raise awareness among the popu- Asia: there are 280-330 sunny days a lation and decision makers on RES year, and the total sunshine duration is benefits; 2,100 – 3,170 hours per year. According − Stimulate expansion of the political to estimates, 1 m2 of a heliocollector al- support to ensure the accelerated lows saving 0.15-0.2 TFOE per year (i.e. promotion of investments in renew- 150-200 kg of coal, or about 100 kg of oil able power engineering; and products). A helioplant of 10 m2 allows − Develop cooperation and inter- saving up to 200 tons of coal per year. A action mechanisms for govern- major obstacle for the wide expansion mental and public ecological or- of helioplants is their relative expensive- ganizations to implement the UN ness that has a tendency to decrease. General Secretary’s Energy for All Initiative in Tajikistan. The country’s areas with sufficient annual mean wind speed of 5-6 m/sec are The use of nontraditional energy sourc- studied rather well and zoned. The first es in Tajikistan is currently at the ini- modern low-power wind-driven power tial development stage. This is caused plants in Tajikistan appeared 10 years by equipment expensiveness, lack of ago in Sughd oblast and in some Rayons awareness among the population, and of Republican Subordination. lack of local equipment producers. Nontraditional energy sources are used In Gorno-Badakhshanskaya Autono- on a pilot basis in rural areas under the mous Oblast, Hissar and Rasht Valleys, implementation of international orga- net geothermal water zones have been nizations’ projects.22 It’s obvious that as detected, and a part of these waters electric power cost increases, they will is used currently for sanatorium treat- be used more extensively. ment. They also can be used to generate electric power, heat premises and Energy saving. Generation of only greenhouses. “green” electric power is not sufficient to achieve sustainable development. The Government of the Republic of Tajik- It’s also necessary to achieve its efficient istan has approved, by its Decree dated use. Energy saving and rational energy February 2, 2007, the Comprehensive Tar- consumption are a key aspect in environ- get Programme for Extensive Use of Re- mental protection and sustainable devel- newable Energy Sources for 2007-2015. opment. The energy saved can be used On February 23, 2009, the Parliament of instead of the newly generated, and thus Tajikistan adopted the Law of the Re- this will reduce the environmental pollu- public of Tajikistan On Use of Renewable tion. Besides, energy saving is cost-effec- Energy Sources, which is indicative of the tive. Activities on energy saving are 2.5-3 prospectiveness of the course chosen. times less expensive than generation and In development of the use of renewable transmission of the same amount of the 23 energy sources (RES), it is important to: newly generated energy. − Establish in-house material and Electric power and gas losses in the Tajiki- technical base for the production, stan’s economy are significant; therefore, installation, adjustment, maintenance and repair of nontraditional 22 UNDP Project “Promotion of Renewable and power plants; Sustainable Energy Use for Development of − Improve the legislative framework Rural Communities in Tajikistan” for 2010- 2013, and Project of the Youth Ecological for the use of RES and economic Centre of Tajikistan “Alternative Energy mechanisms for stimulating the Sources” http://www.ecocentre.tj/ru/index/ production using nontraditional index/pageId/188/ power plants; 23 Data of ecological NGOs of Tajikistan.

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the Government of Tajikistan requested labels A or A++ (according to the the World Bank to provide technical as- labeling of product’s energy effi- sistance in the development of loss re- ciency adopted in the EU); duction ways.24 The Government has also − In the planning and designing of adopted the Programme for Efficient Use buildings, take account of the of Hydropower Resources and Energy aspects of rational and efficient Saving for 2012-2016. The Programme energy use. This will contribute to notes that complete transition to the use conservation of natural resources, of energy-saving technologies is one of reduction of financial costs and im- the key ways to save energy and reduce proved comfort. All new and thor- pressure on the electric power system. oughly repaired buildings should It is implementation of this activity that meet the modern energy efficien- enables rational use of hydropower re- cy requirements and standards; sources, and during 5 years after the pro- − Carry out an energy audit of proj- gramme implementation it will be pos- ects before their start (technical sible to save 3.2 billion kWh. This figure is expertise of energy consumption comparable to winter electric power and energy saving); shortages in the country. Energy saving, − Expand equipping new and reha- however, implies not only use of energy- bilitated buildings with technolo- efficient equipment and technologies, gies using renewable and auton- but also use of energy-saving approach- omous energy sources, and ad- es in all sectors of the economy, such as vanced heating, ventilation and agriculture, construction, industry and lighting technologies; and household energy consumption. For in- − Develop projects and programmes stance, construction of residential houses that imply use of new energy-sav- initially on the basis of an energy-saving ing technologies, extensive use of approach allows saving 5 times more en- renewable energy sources by lo- ergy per a specific area.25 cal communities, training of local specialists in energy saving skills. To minimize adverse consequences of low-quality projects on construction and Implementation of these recommen- repair of public buildings and facilities, it dations should be approached on a is reasonable to: case-by-case basis using maximally local opportunities without significant in- − Abandon practices of construction creases in cost of buildings and facilities and repair of public buildings and in question. For Tajikistan with its scarce facilities that do not meet modern state budget and high proportion of the energy efficiency standards (EU poor population, construction of build- Directive EC 2002/91/EC – EPBD ings and facilities on the basis of the Eu- should be a guiding landmark); ropean standards remains a hard task. − When purchasing and installing new equipment for schools, health Integrated Water Resources Manage- centers and other public institu- ment. Discussion of water problems un- tions, follow European energy ef- der the global water processes, such ficiency standards of equipment. as the International Year of Freshwater The most efficient equipment has (2003), International Decade for Action ’Water for Life‘ (2005-2015) and a num- 24 World Bank Technical Assistance Project. ber of other activities, clearly showed Additional Financing for the Energy Loss that water problems will deepen every Reduction Project, P122141, 2012. year as the population grows and wa- 25 Programme for Efficient Use of Hydropower ter needs of the national economies in- Resources and Energy Saving for 2012- crease. It will be difficult, or even impos- 2016 was approved by Decree of the Government of the RT No. 551 dated sible, to achieve sustainable develop- November 2, 2011. ment without sufficient water resources.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

The current levels of the inefficient use management in favor of the basin of water resources in most arid countries principle of water management; will not allow these countries to provide − establishing basin management their population with sufficient amount institutions; of water resources for water supply, food − separating political and economic production and other needs (Figure 4.4). functions of water management; − establishing Water Users Associa- It’s obvious that without “green” irriga- tions (WUAs) country-wide on the tion technologies, it will be difficult to basis of geographical and public ensure sustainable development of ir- democratic principles guaranteed rigated agriculture in the Central Asian by the Law On Water Users Asso- states, including Tajikistan, already in the ciations; next few decades. The rapid growth of − Establishing WUA Federations, if electric power cost, soil erosion, process- necessary; es of salinization and bogging of the irri- − transferring the rights to manage gated lands will prevent further extensive water resources in lower segments development of irrigated agriculture. of the water infrastructure to WUAs Integrated water resources management and WUA Federations; and applied in some developed and devel- − involving water users in decision oping countries proved its consistency making. and efficiency and became a modern IWRM introduction and the parallel ideology of sustainable water use. Since deepening of the agricultural reform 2009, Tajikistan has been implementing will provide WUAs and WUA Federations the water sector reform to transit to inte- with additional stimuli for their further grated water resources management. development (equal access to water, This process involves governmental, pri- improved land quality because of the vate and public organizations engaged implementation of ameliorative activi- in the field of water consumption. IWRM ties, increased income, etc.). introduction implies the following: While cooperating with international or- − abandoning the administrative ganizations, the Government of Tajikistan and territorial principles of water pays a great attention to step-by-step

12 35 Unit water resources in Central Asia thousand m3/man/year 30 10

25 8 Dynamics of population in Tajikistan, mln. man 20 6

mln. man 15 Unit natural water resources 4 in Tajikistan, thousand 3 10 thousand m3/man/year m /man/year

2 5

Unit water resources in Tajikistan, limited by ICWC, 0 0 thousand m3/man/year 1960 1970 1980 2000 2010 2020 2025

Years

Figure 4.5 Forecast of changes of unit water resources per man in Tajikistan and other Central Asia countries

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introduction of the IWRM principles to im- tween the region’s states against prove efficiency of water and land man- the quotas mutually agreed upon; agement. To this end, it is necessary to − Provision of the region’s states with develop and implement a programme environmentally friendly electric for the introduction of energy-saving power in accordance with their “green” irrigation technologies, i.e. sub- needs; and irrigation, drip, mist and sprinkling irriga- − Protection against mudflows and tion, and improve traditional surface ir- floods, and drought mitigation. rigation methods using opportunities of modern technologies. Use of the tested The energy sector needs water not “green” irrigation technologies allows only to produce electric power; water saving water resources and maintain is also used to produce nearly all types 26 good environmental situation, thus pre- of energy: extraction and processing venting, actually, groundwater table rise, of different fuels, such as coal, oil, nat- soil erosion and salinity. Together with im- ural gas and uranium, and steam pro- plementation of the relevant agro tech- duction and cooling at thermal power nical and other activities, this will signifi- plants. At the same time, electric power cantly increase crop productivity. is needed to pump water from wells to various heights, transmit water through In introducing IWRM, Tajikistan also takes pipelines and to desalinate and treat account of interests of the riparian states waters. Energy producers are the major in the transboundary Amudarya and water consumers, and energy produc- Syrdarya River Basins. These are: tion growth implies increased access to water resources accordingly. In the inter- − Maximum permissible extraction ests of green economic development, and rational use of hydropower water and energy resources, therefore, potential of the mountain rivers; should be treated as inextricably linked. − River flow regulation to ensure sustainable water supply to the ripar- 26 Trends and Progress in the Field of ian states, especially in low-water Environment and Development: Emerging and Persistent Issues in Rational Water years; Resources Management. UN Economic − Introduction of water- and energy- and Social Council. Economic and saving technologies in all areas of Social Commission for Asia and the water and energy consumption; Pacific. Committee on Environment and − Distribution of water resources be- Development. Second Session. Bangkok, February 22-24, 2012. E/ESCAP/CED(2)/5.

4.3 Investments in Sustainable Management OF Natural Resources The concept of a “green” growth stress- such as standard setting, and non-eco- es the importance of integrating envi- nomic measures, such as voluntary ini- ronmental and economic policies, and tiatives and information sharing.27 such integration will allow revealing new potential sources of economic growth, Investments are important to establish while avoiding increased pressure on required “green” infrastructure in all sec- the quantity and quality of natural re- tors, provide professional training, per- sources. Transition to a “green” econo- form scientific researches and innovation my requires a broad range of activities activities, deploy “green” technologies, including economic instruments, such and support large- and small-scale envi- as taxes, subsidies and emission trad- 27 Europe's Environment Assessment of ing schemes, state regulation measures, Assessments. Green Economy, UNEP, 2012.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

ronmental projects. It is rather difficult to opment Goals (MDGs) formulated in the identify the size of the investment needs Millennium Declaration.30 Conservation of the whole “green” economy. Amounts or improvement of the national natural of state and private investments required capital quality usually has great benefits for transition activities can be significant for the vulnerable population that relies and may vary depending on specific largely on the natural capital for liveli- countries and sectors. hoods. Significant increase of investments in “green” infrastructure, particularly in In the USA, environmentally friendly such sectors as power engineering, trans- technologies already rank 3rd (behind port, agriculture and waste manage- information technologies and nano- ment, usually ensures high social returns. technologies in the ranking) in terms of the size of venture investments. In Chi- The economic mechanism of environ- na, such venture investments have in- mental protection implies use of natural creased, over the recent years, more resources for a fee, compensation of the than 2 times, having amounted to 19% damage caused, tax and loan privileg- of the total investments.28 es, material and moral motivation of activities of organizations and enterprises Water, energy, land, forests and other of all forms of ownership and account- resources are a basis of any economy, ability, their employees, and citizens. and “green” economy in particular. In Tajikistan, the economic mechanism of According to the legislation of Tajikistan, natural resources management is regu- users of natural resources should pay for: lated by the relevant laws, decrees of the Government of Tajikistan and de- − Use of natural resources (land, sub- partmental regulatory documents. soil assets, water, forests, flora, fauna, recreational and other natural According to the World Bank,29 cost of resources): environmental degradation in Tajikistan − Use of natural resources within the is estimated at about 10% of GDP. Be- prescribed limits; cause of the degradation of the agricul- − Above-limit and irrational use of tural lands alone (decreased crop pro- natural resources; ductivity as a result of soil erosion and − Reproduction and protection of salinity), every year the country receives natural resources; revenues 3.7% of GDP less than due. − Emissions, discharges of pollutants, Establishment of efficient economic placements of wastes, and other mechanisms of environmental manage- types of pollution within the pre- ment will sharply decrease such losses. scribed limits, and separately for exceeding such limits. The objective of a “green” economy is to facilitate reforms implemented in all These funds and population’s voluntary sectors of economy and policy, while contributions are used to form the Envi- encouraging investments in environmen- ronmental Protection Fund to implement, tal protection. This may have a positive under the guidance of the Committee horizontal impact on economy and give for Environmental Protection under the substantial benefits that allow reducing Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, poverty and contribute to the progress environmental protection activities. in achievement of the Millennium Devel- Investments in the development of a 28 National Human Development Report, “green” economy in Tajikistan are at- 2008–2009. Employment in the Context of tracted from the following sources: Human Development. UNDP, Dushanbe, 2010. 30 The Seventh “Environment for Europe” 29 Inclusive Green Growth. The Pathway to Ministerial Conference. Astana, Kazakhstan, Sustainable Development. The World Bank, September 21–23, 2011. ECE/ASTANA. 2012. CONF/2011/GE.11-23293 5.

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− Republican and local budgets; stations and pumped drain wells and − Funds received from economic reduction of water losses in the water activities and paid services; supply systems, where state and water − Loans, including concessional users’ funds are attracted to, are also loans, budget and customs privileg- long-term investments in sustainable de- es, donations, subventions, foreign velopment. Inventory of the irrigation investments, other sources not pro- and drinking water supply systems and hibited by law, and a clean devel- their assigning to appropriate owners opment mechanism in particular. will also allow attracting investments in their operation and maintenance im- State investments are allocated through provement. capital investments in the construction and rehabilitation of hydropower Transition to a “green” economy will re- plants and treatment facilities; foreign quire changes to the investment policy investments are also attracted. At the to integrate “green” technologies in same time, investments in hydropower production processes, create favorable engineering represent, to a large ex- economic conditions and elaborate tent, investments in the conservation of various material and moral incentives forests, fossil fuels and irrigated agricul- to use simple and sophisticated “green” ture, development of education and technologies by both large enterprises healthcare, protection of the environ- and dekhkan farms. Thus, investments ment, etc. So, the project on reduction in a “green” economy will contribute of electric power losses in the Barki Tojik to creation of more jobs and significant OJSHC’s networks is being implement- poverty reduction to compare with the ed with the aim to ensure energy sav- current investment practices. ing. Reconstruction and repair of pump

4.4. Establishment of an Adequate Market and Legal and Regulatory Framework to Improve the Management Environment and Involve the Private Sector In Tajikistan, establishment of an ade- As the Republic of Tajikistan deepens the quate market and legal and regulatory reforms and develops its international environment is aimed at legal regula- relations, good conditions for attracting tion, reduction and gradual termination foreign investments, supporting market of environmentally hazardous subsidies, structures and developing financial and mobilization of financial resources and banking systems are being created. So, expansion of access to them, innovative external trade, pricing policies and for- state and private solutions, stimulation eign exchange transactions have been of private environmental investments liberalized, and a moratorium on inspec- and innovations, establishment of small tions of economic and financial activi- green enterprises and introduction of ties of newly established commercial environmental protection technologies, entities within first 3 years of their activi- expansion of capital uses, insurance ties has been set. A multifunctional com- and pension funds for sustainable de- modity exchange and interbank foreign velopment, reduction of risks for private exchange market are founded and investments and ensuring of equitable function. Now Tajikistan is preparing to and equal approaches to them. enter the World Trade Organization.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

The Laws On Foreign Investments in the to 5 years from the moment when they Republic of Tajikistan, On Foreign Eco- received a pretax profit, provided that nomic Activities, On Joint-Stock Com- the paid share of a foreign investor in panies, On Concessions and the Tax the statutory fund exceeds 30% and the and Customs Codes ensure protection volume of foreign investments is USD of foreign investors’ rights, interests and 100,000 to USD 5,000,000. property, guarantee a legal basis for ex- ercising commercial activities and stim- Tajikistan is undertaking further steps to ulate foreign investors’ participation in optimize the investment climate. Par- privatization of facilities of the national ticularly, the Water Code envisages economy on an equal basis with Tajiki- state support in the form of donations, stan’s citizens. Laws of the Republic of subventions, concessional loans, bud- Tajikistan protect foreign investors and get and customs privileges for those foreign invested enterprises against na- engaged in the implementation of the tionalization and other types of seizure. republican and local drinking water supply programmes. The Government In reinvesting, foreign investors enjoy full of Tajikistan may also provide, on a ten- legal protection, guarantees and privi- der basis and through contract reward, leges prescribed by the Tajik legislation. a right to manage state-owned water In case of subsequent amendments to facilities within a limited territory to spe- the legislation of the Republic of Tajiki- cialized local and foreign legal entities. stan to increase the overall tax burden on Transfer of the intracompany pump sta- the activities of foreign investors and for- tions, irrigation and drain wells to Water eign invested enterprises, within 10 years Users Associations and dekhkan farms is thereafter they will be provided with already taking place on this basis. privileges prescribed by the legislation active at the moment of the enterprise In Tajikistan for the period 1997-2009, registration. They will also enjoy rights to social tax to be paid by organizations use and rent lands, independently de- and entities from their wage funds has termine prices for products produced been reduced from 38% to 25% to facili- by them, identify order of their sale and tate creation of new jobs through sup- chose product suppliers, acquire stocks porting the private sector and entre- and other securities, and perform pros- preneurship and attracting investments. pecting, development and exploitation Entrepreneurship and business training of natural resources in the economic courses being conducted, issuance of zone of the Republic of Tajikistan. concessional loans and establishment of independent employment and en- In the republic, export of goods, works trepreneurship centers also contribute and services is exempted from the val- to the resolution of employment issues. ue added tax, except for exports to the Currently, the State Labor Market De- countries that do not apply a similar fis- velopment Strategy of the Republic of cal mechanism in relation to Tajikistan. Tajikistan until 2020 is being implement- The tax and customs legislation provides ed in follow up of the Decision of the exemptions from the value added tax Government of Tajikistan. Particularly, and customs duties on technological this enables efficient regulation of labor equipment and its accessories imported resources flows both inside the country by foreign invested enterprises to Tajiki- and abroad. stan to form and replenish their statutory funds. Foreign invested enterprises en- To strengthen the country’s export po- gaged in material production, except tential and diversify export commodity for enterprises engaged in develop- structure, the Government has adopted ment and use of natural resources, are the Export Development Programme of also provided with privileges including the Republic of Tajikistan until 2015. The exemptions from the profit tax within 2 strategic objective of this document is

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to improve the structure of the domestic prove the management environment. export, diversify and improve quality of All this forms a basis for the current state products, improve export’s commodity governance reform and establishment and geographical structure and to tran- of a governance model adapted to the sit to progressive forms of the internation- “green” economy needs involving the al trade and economic cooperation. private sector in partnership with local executive authorities and local govern- The Tajik tax legislation offers a favorable ments. Tajikistan is among the top ten tax regime for the construction of hydro- countries in terms of investment intensity, power plants and for enterprises with a support to the private sector and tem- complete cycle of lint cotton processing pos of state property privatization. into the final product. The Government of Tajikistan has estab- Currently, the Law On Investments is in lished 4 free economic zones (FEZs) for force, and the Law On Investment Agree- 25 years, they are: complex Panj FEZ, ments intended to further improve proce- 400 ha, in Qumsanghir district of Khatlon dures, stimulate and provide state support oblast; industrial and innovative Sughd to investors on the territory of Tajikistan is FEZ, 320 ha, in Khujand city of Sughd at the endorsement stage. In pursuance oblast; technological and commercial of Law On Environmental Protection No. Ishkoshim FEZ, 200 ha on separate land 760 adopted on August 2, 2011, the fol- plots, in Ishkoshim district of Gorno-Bada- lowing legal and regulatory acts have khshanskaya Autonomous Oblast; indus- been developed and enacted: trial and innovative Dangara FEZ, 242.31 − Methodological guide for calcula- ha on separate land plots, in Dangara tion of the environmental cost of district of Khatlon oblast. The Ministry of the illegal use of food and medici- Economic Development and Trade of nal plants; the Republic of Tajikistan has been ap- − Limits of regulatory payments for pointed a competent authority to deal environmental pollution; with issues related to the establishment, − Order of identifying and issuing management and functioning of free consent requirements for produc- economic zones. tion and consumption waste man- The Government of Tajikistan is highly in- agement. terested in improvement of the legal and Efficiently developed regulations, in- regulatory framework to ensure sustain- cluding use of best available tech- able development of its economy. The niques (BAT), may contribute to the busi- reforming of the country’s economy is ness community’s confidence that they taking place in different areas. Accord- make proper investment decisions to ing to the Concept for Transition to Sus- use more environmentally friendly tech- tainable Development of the Republic of 31 nologies or produce “green” products, Tajikistan, it is proposed to reorient na- activation of investments in environmen- tional, sectoral and regional strategies, tal protection activities and assistance programmes and plans in order to imple- in the development and expansion of ment the Poverty Reduction Strategy environmentally friendly technologies and achieve sustainable development. and to the regulation of behaviors not Attention is focused on mainstreaming consistent with the sustainable develop- poverty reduction goals and measures ment objectives. in the development of technical and financial assistance programmes. Such an Agricultural, housing and utilities and ir- approach enables the reforming of gov- rigation reforms are being implemented and political and economic functions 31 Approved by Decree of the Government in the power engineering and industrial of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 500 dated sectors have been separated to im- October 1, 2007.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

ernmental institutions and governance ment efficiency, and link the bud- systems, macroeconomic development, get to the country’s priorities; investment climate improvement, pri- − improve monetary policy, and ex- vate sector and entrepreneurship devel- pand domestic and foreign inves- opment, regional cooperation and inte- tors’ access to the banking market; gration into the world economy. − create conditions to increase lending to production sectors of the The following measures are proposed economy; to solve functional/institutional strategic − improve legislation in the field of tasks: property rights, investment attrac- − reform the state governance sys- tion and entrepreneurship devel- tem towards sustainable develop- opment; ment; − foster development of the private − consider bringing the judicial and sector, attraction of domestic and law enforcement systems in line foreign direct investments. with the market economy require- Implementation of the tasks set will con- ments and democratic principles, tribute to sustainable development in and develop relevant strategies the country and foster development of and programmes; legal and regulatory framework towards − improve the tax system; transition to a “green” economy. − improve public finance manage-

42 5 ACTIONS PROPOSED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A «GREEN» ECONOMY NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

ACTIONS PROPOSED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A “GREEN” ECONOMY

5.1 Platform for Achieving Results Tajikistan has real opportunities, natu- opment of a “green” economy could ral and other resources for transition to also become a mechanism for monitor- a “green” economy. Jointly with the ing of this process in general. Approval civil society and with the support of in- of this Roadmap by the Government ternational organizations, first of all, UN of Tajikistan may become a broad po- institutions, governmental institutions of litical call and a basis for the develop- Tajikistan will have to develop the coun- ment and implementation of strategies, try’s Roadmap to a Green Economy annual, short- and long-term ecologi- differentiating local, national and inter- zation plans involving internal and ex- national tasks consistent with the out- ternal funds. come decisions of Rio+20 and Cancun agreements on the development of an International organizations could assist agreed systematic low-carbon strategy. Tajikistan in search of stakeholder countries’ consensus on the development of Apart from the publication of annual a “green” economy, particularly use of statistics books, the elaboration, with renewable energy sources, including the support of international organiza- hydropower resources, introduction of tions, of annual and periodic (once per advanced “green” technologies and 5 years) national reports on the devel- human capital development.

5.2 Rational and Efficient Use of Water Resources and Other Natural Capital to Build Sustainable Production and Consumption Models Although Tajikistan has abundant wa- and existing agreements of Central ter resources, it will be further com- Asian nations, including the agree- mitted to the policy of sustainable ment dated March 17, 1998, between use of water resources and strength- the Governments of the Republic of ening of partnership at the national, Kazakhstan, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, regional and international levels. De- Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of velopment in this direction can be Uzbekistan on the use of water and based on both international initia- energy resources of the Syrdarya river tives focused on economic aspects

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basin32 implying the establishment of combined with the use of advanced an economic water use mechanism innovative technologies. This will allow and electricity flows. This can improve reducing agricultural dependence on access to water and electric power, import of chemical fertilizers and toxic increase agricultural sustainability chemicals, while increasing efficiency and efficiency, decrease desertifica- of the use of local natural opportunities. tion risks, enhance food security, and conserve and expand forest areas. Introduction of green agriculture re- According to experts, extra benefits quires significant changes to the agricul- from a well-established cooperation tural development policy to: in the Central Asian region are esti- − Organize scientifically valid agri- mated, based on the factors that can cultural production; be quantitatively measured, at 5% of − Establish efficient market mecha- 33 regional GDP. nisms for stimulating increased wa- A system of measures to prevent and ter and land productivity with a fo- mitigate dangerous water-related geo- cus on the use of local resources; dynamic processes is also required. − Establish stimulation mechanisms Apart from hydro technical and orga- for ensuring equitable competition nizational measures, conservation and conditions for the introduction of increase of forest areas become partic- new agricultural technologies; ularly important. Development of hydro- − Establish stimulation mechanisms power engineering with multi-purpose for attracting private investments; water reservoirs is seen as a comprehen- − Create the economically sound sive solution to water scarcity, climate environment to stimulate the use risks and disaster impacts. The continual of local agricultural resources, pro- reforming of the water sector along with cessing of agricultural products the introduction of integrated water re- and reuse of their waste; sources management should become − Create favorable economic con- a key for the elaboration of sustainable ditions for the use of local renew- efficient water use models. At the same able energy sources, i.e. biogas, time, national integrated water resourc- solar and wind energy; es management should be consistent − Introduce soil-saving land use with regional and global promotion of a technologies countrywide; and “green” economy. − Improve the legislation and optimize the bank and tax systems to Land resources are crucial for food se- stimulate the introduction of the curity, sustainable rural social and eco- principles of a “green” economy nomic development and poverty reduc- in agriculture, while creating as tion. It’s difficult to imagine high produc- many jobs in the rural area as pos- tivity of agricultural land use without ap- sible. plication of up-to-date highly-efficient technologies. Modern technologies, In the further reforming of the agricul- however, not always ensure sustainable tural complex and establishment of land use if they are based only on ap- new water and land management insti- plication of chemical fertilizers and toxic tutions, all these tasks should be taken chemicals. To increase agricultural pro- into account. It’s also important that ductivity, green agriculture implies com- entrepreneurs and civil society, includ- prehensive use of natural opportunities ing broad participation of women, play an important role in various partnerships and mechanisms under water, energy, 32 The Republic of Tajikistan joined this food security, forest and financing initia- Agreement on June 17, 1999. tives. 33 Central Asia Human Development Report (UNDP, 2006).

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

5.3 Green Economy and Poverty Reduction. Social Aspects Poverty reduction is a priority area of the environmental impacts of economic ac- social and economic policy of the Gov- tivities and conserving biodiversity and bio- ernment of Tajikistan. In 2000, Tajikistan sphere productivity to the benefit of the launched activities to reach the targets of poorest groups and population in general. the Millennium Development Goals. The country’s Poverty Reduction Strategies are A “green” economy offers great opportu- designed to implement activities to reach, nities for maintaining employment security by 2015, the targets of all 8 goals; howev- and even employment growth in the long 36 er, not all the targets will be reached for run. The greening of the existing economy different reasons. First of all, this relates to and its orientation towards the most vulner- Target 10 of Goal 7 to reduce by half the able population, such as women, youth, proportion of people without sustainable shadow economy workers and the un- access to safe drinking water. employed, could contribute to increased number of jobs, economic growth for all Among the MDGs, the primary goal is and sustainable development.37 Goal # 1: Eradicate extreme poverty, and Target # 1: Reduce by half the ex- According to the UN-FAO’s materials treme poverty rate. Owing to the imple- elaborated under preparation for the mentation of the two Poverty Reduction Rio+20 International Conference, a pro- Strategies in 1999-2009, both general and gram for the economy greening on the extreme poverty rates in Tajikistan stably basis of agriculture can be implemented tend to reduce, and thus the Target of through the ecosystem approach taking the primary Goal is achieved.34 40% of account of multiple societal needs and the extremely poor population, howev- desires without jeopardizing the rights of er, will preserve the problem’s priority for future generations to benefit from the full the Government of Tajikistan (Figure 7). range of goods and services provided by the terrestrial, aquatic and marine eco- A “green” economy opens ways to systems. This is especially important for the reduce poverty scales and inequity. natural and climate conditions of Tajiki- “Green” investments in specific sectors stan’s mountainous areas where violation will provide opportunities for employment, of environmental conservation measures production and entrepreneurship.35 In Ta- may result in very adverse consequences. jikistan, such sectors include agriculture, power engineering, use of solar energy 36 UNEP: Towards a Green Economy. Pathways and biogas, production of construction to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication (Nairobi, November 16, 2011). materials, construction, tourism, etc. Go to: www.unep.org/greeneconomy/ A “green” economy will ensure employ- GreenEconomyReport/tabid/29846/Default. ment creation and increased revenues aspx, and International Labor Organization: through state and private investments “Skills for green jobs: a global view” aimed at increasing efficiency of the re- (Geneva, 2011). Go to: source and energy use, reducing adverse www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/--- dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/ publication/wcms_159585.pdf. 34 Poverty Reduction Strategy of the Republic 37 Environment Management Group, “Working of Tajikistan for 2007-2009 and Poverty towards a Balanced and Inclusive Green Reduction Strategy of the Republic of Economy: A United Nations System-wide Tajikistan for 2010-2012. Perspective” (New-York, December, 2011). 35 Background paper for the ministerial Go to: consultations. Addendum. Green economy. www.unemg.org/MeetingsDocuments/ Discussion paper. Governing Council of the IssueManagementGroups/GreenEconomy/ United Nations Environment Programme, GreenEconomyreport/tabid/79175/Default. UNEP/GCSS.XII/13/Add.1. aspx.

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90% - 80% - 78,0% 70% - 61,0% 60% - 50% - 45,0% 41,5% 40% - 30% - 20% - 10% - 0% 2000 2005 2010 2015

Figure 7. Dynamics of poverty decreasing in Tajikistan

forecasted 67-percent growth of the In the context of Tajikistan as a developing country’s population in the 21st century, country, job creation, particularly in rural and thus social and economic and en- areas, is highly important. Development vironmental problems will deepen even more.”38 Tajikistan is included in the list of solar and biogas technologies offers of 9 countries participating in the Pilot great opportunities for establishing Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) multiple production units, employing 4 to financed by the Strategic Climate Fund. 10 people, to fully supply raw materials With its total cost amounting to USD 50 for the production needs. million, the Programme is aimed at as- sessing and implementing specific activities to foster sustainability in the Tajiki- Even under a “green” economy scenar- stan’s sectors, such as power engineer- io, sustainable development and em- ing, agriculture, water resources and ployment, however, will still depend on hydrologic monitoring. both anthropogenic and natural factors, particularly on climate change. It is The process of transition to a “green” noted in the Asian Development Bank’s economy will take place in different study that “more frequent droughts, di- countries, taking account of their local sastrous floods caused by over-flows of circumstances. For Tajikistan as a de- glacial lakes, washing-out of mountain- veloping state, transition to a “green” ous slopes and more frequent landslides economy offers a real chance to eradi- will result in increased economic dam- cate poverty and improve social and age, threats to the people’s safety, and economic conditions in the country. will also reduce people’s opportunities 38 Climate Change and Migration in Asia and to move out of poverty. These adverse the Pacific. Asian Development Bank Report, impacts will be exacerbated by the 2012, - p. 85.

5.4 Tools for Human Capital Development A human being is a basic unit of any tended to overcome the disproportion economy in the world. To develop hu- in education coverage and quality, man capital, equal opportunities and provide equal access to professional innovative professional education education and bring it in line with the should be ensured. Tajikistan’s policy market and environmental protection on human capacity development is in- requirements. The implementation of

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

the National Development Strategy of grammes addressing energy and Tajikistan until 2015 contributes to the water saving issues and rational training of more qualified specialists. and efficient use and protection of Given the market realities and the ex- natural resources in general; isting environmental situation, already − Increase attractiveness of scien- now it is reasonable to: tific activities to young scientists through the expansion of grants, − Develop, with the support of inter- special support programmes and national organizations, a relevant projects; short-, mid- and long-term meth- − Develop and improve the post- odology for improving quality of graduate and doctoral education state and regional forecasts of de- systems; and mand for specialists; − Develop and approve state indi- − In the development of training and cators of professional education educational programmes, consid- performance and rating of educa- er the need for continuity of gen- tion institutions. eral and professional pro-environmental education programmes; Required specialists can also be trained − Broader practice job fairs for grad- at the regional and international lev- uates of secondary special and els through cooperation with relevant higher institutions as a possible op- stakeholders. Improvement of the tion to incorporate them in sectors health and maternal and child care sys- of the national economy; tem is also an important contributor to − In planning, really consider rural the human capital. population’s needs for essential specialties (handicraft, farm keep- The education and training system ing, irrigation, processing of agri- should be synchronized with the labor cultural raw materials, etc.); and market policy and job creation and en- − Expand the practice of special- visage: ist training under the “Presidential − Consultations and professional ori- Quota” given needs of the coun- entation; try’s particular regions. − Setting quotas for the youth; To ensure equal access to the profession- − Economic support to the popula- al education system, it’s reasonable to: tion in organization of dekhkan farms; ensuring access to lending − Develop educational lending, pre- resources and tax incentives; serve and further develop the sys- − Organization of a job bank, and tem of state privileges for access employment assistance through to education and financial support retraining and information sharing; for socially vulnerable categories − Stimulation of small and medium of students; business; and − Expand support to highly gifted − Target support to, and protection children; and of, all categories of the population − Persistently support and develop on the labour market. specialized education and early professional orientation. One should bear in mind that a demand for highly qualified specialists arises when To improve education quality, it’s also the economy develops, and economic required to: development requires, in its turn, participation of properly qualified specialists. − Establish and support scientific This issue can be resolved through a well- and training-and-production cen- established primary to higher education ters under the leading higher ed- system. Establishment of a fair salary ac- ucation institutions with their pro-

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counting system is the most efficient solu- man resources. Every employee should tion to the issue related to economic stim- be confident that highly qualified perfor- ulation of continuous development of hu- mance will be properly paid accordingly.

5.5 Improving the System of Integration Processes and Economic Mechanisms Management to Strengthen Water and Energy Security in the Context of Global Climate Change Cooperation and regional integration acceleration of the CIS single customs are a precondition for states’ efficient area formation, establishment of the development. for Tajikistan, the impor- agro-industrial and transport consortiums tance of cooperation arises from the and resolution of migration problems will huge significance of Central Asian trans- also contribute to the integration of the boundary basins’ water resources for hy- former Soviet republics and resolution of dropower engineering, irrigation, econ- water and energy problems. omy in general, and environmental protection. All the Central Asian states may To optimize the systems of managing treat a course for the water and energy the integration processes and environ- market regionalization as the establish- mental security in the context of climate ment of a Eurasian subregional econom- change, it will be reasonable to improve, ic area, and as the strengthening of the link and harmonize legal and regulatory international integration processes in the acts and enter into new agreements water and fuel-and-energy complexes in regulating relevant fields of life. In iden- particular. The establishment of a water- tifying priorities of future development and-energy consortium declared by the and integration prospects, Tajikistan is Heads of the Central Asian states in 1998, taking account of the country’s geo- 2003 and 2004 may become an impor- graphical peculiarities, demographic tant element of this process. The Consor- situation, poverty rate and gaps in the tium will enable the establishment of an management structure and methods. electric power market, rational and ef- The measures undertaken by Tajikistan to ficient management of water resources improve communication with the outer on the basis of the economic mecha- world are supported by the deepening nism of water use, thus contributing to of the reforms, development of the inter- environmental protection. To this end, a nal growth sources, first of all, develop- relevant feasibility study should be devel- ment and strengthening of the private oped. Renewal of activities of the High sector, particularly in agriculture, and Level Group on Water Problems under development of power engineering and the EurAsEC might also become an in- human capacity as a driver of the coun- valuable contribution in this regard. The try’s economic growth and stability.

5.6 Contribution of Water Cooperation TO the Development of a Green Economy Transition to sustainable development, ter policy, the Republic of Tajikistan pro- particularly in Tajikistan, can be ensured ceeds on the assumption of the need to only on the basis of the efficient regional ensure sustainable development of its and international cooperation. In its wa- economy, rational use and protection of

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

Figure 8. Tajikistan’s membership in regional organizations

water resources on the basis of the prin- 2000), and Johannesburg Declaration on ciples of international law, win-win and Environment and Development (Rio+10, friendly cooperation with foreign states Johannesburg, 2002). The declarations and global environmental security. and international agreements that Tajiki- stan entered into and relevant national Sovereign Tajikistan entered the United and sectoral development programmes Nations Organization in March, 1992, just are listed in the annex. Broader interaction before the UN Conference on Environ- and international assistance are needed ment and Development in Rio de Janei- for their successful implementation. Tajiki- ro (Brazil). The country cooperates with stan has signed the Framework Conven- many international and regional organi- tion on Environment for Sustainable Devel- zations, including UN agencies, multilat- opment of Central Asia and is supporting eral development banks, donor organi- the development of the Central Asia Sus- zations, international NGOs, and other tainable Development Strategy. development partners. Tajikistan is a member of the Commonwealth of Inde- The country participates in many re- pendent States, Shanghai Cooperation gional projects aimed at improving Organization, Eurasian Economic Com- water resources management at the munity, Organization of the Islamic Con- transboundary level. Particularly, such ference, Economic Cooperation Orga- projects as “Promoting Integrated Water nization (ECO), etc. The country is a co- Resources Management and Fostering founder of the International Fund for sav- Transboundary Dialogue in Central Asia” ing the Aral Sea (IFAS) and its two main (supported by the EU and UNDP), “Trans- commissions, i.e. Interstate Commission boundary Water Management in Central for Sustainable Development (ICSD) and Asia” (GIZ), “Integrated Water Resources Interstate Commission for Water Coordi- Management in Ferghana Valley” (SDC), nation of Central Asia (ICWC). “Strengthening Transboundary Coopera- tion in Water Resources Management Being a full-fledged member of the inter- between Tajikistan and Afghanistan in national community, Tajikistan is actively the Panj River Basin” (UNECE and EU) engaged in the international processes contribute to this process through the di- to perform commitments undertaken un- alogue development and cooperation der Agenda 21 (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), Mil- strengthening. The National Water Policy lennium Development Goals approved Dialogue on Integrated Water Resources at the UN Millennium Summit (New-York, Management in Tajikistan is developing

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under the auspices of the EU Water Ini- power generation, i.e. have hydropower tiative to support the intersectoral dia- energy (over 95% of the generated elec- logue and coordination of activities on tric power), while countries in the lower extensive promotion of integrated water reaches use hydrocarbon resources to resources management in the country, generate power (over 98% of the gen- while increasing a pool of participants. erated electric power). In the compo- The OSCE-supported “Development of sition of the regional fuel-and-energy International Water Law Curricula for complex, the proportion of the organic Higher Education Institutions and Short- fuel accounts for over 70%, while that of Term Courses” Project allows developing hydropower, very cheap and environ- national capacity in the field of water law mentally friendly, accounts for over 25%. as a key element in the development of Use of the Tajikistan’s huge hydropower the interstate water cooperation. potential, 3 times exceeding the current region’s needs, would both reduce bil- The basic infrastructure of the water- lions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions and-energy complex in Tajikistan and to the atmosphere and significantly save other Central Asian states was built on oil, gas and coal resources currently in- the integration principles. Hydroelectric tensively used for power generation. power plants of Tajikistan and Kyrgyz- stan and thermal power plants of Ka- Thus, it’s obvious that development of zakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan the transboundary water cooperation have been functioning, complement- could become a good platform for the ing each other, under the Unified Ener- wider use of renewable energy sourc- gy System. Irrigated agriculture primarily es and reduction of greenhouse gas developed in the countries in the lower emissions to the atmosphere, which is reaches of the rivers was supplied with one of the key elements of a “green” water from major water reservoirs of the economy. countries in the upper reaches. Intersec- toral cooperation was ensured through Considering the importance of the wa- the integrated stream flow regulation ter cooperation as a stability and de- and smooth seasonal electricity flows. velopment factor, the UN General As- Currently, due to the poor economic sembly, at the initiative of the Republic mechanism of water use and reduced of Tajikistan, declared, by its Resolution cooperation at the transboundary lev- 65/154 adopted by the Consensus as of el, it’s reasonable to solve these tasks December 20, 2010, the year of 2013 as through negotiations and with the sup- the International Year of Water Coop- port of international organizations. eration. On the UN part, UNESCO and UNECE are authorized to coordinate the The Tajikistan’s natural resources, par- activities under the Year. Being an initia- ticularly its huge hydropower potential, tor of this Resolution, the Government of could contribute to “green” growth and the Republic of Tajikistan is highly inter- environmental improvement in other ested in the successful implementation countries, too. Central Asia may serve of the Year, and organized, under its as a case study in this regard, where two auspices, a High-level Roundtable un- countries in the upper reaches, i.e. Ta- der the 6th Global Water Forum in Mar- jikistan and Kyrgyzstan, have abundant seilles, France, and a special meeting water resources accounting for over 80% under the International Day of Water Re- of the runoff into the Aral Sea, while three sources in New-York, UN headquarters. other countries in the lower reaches, i.e. To implement the goals of the Year, Ta- Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbeki- jikistan also proposes to hold, on March stan, have rather significant raw hydro- 21, 2013, the Interactive Dialogue of the carbon deposits: oil, gas, and coal. Ac- UN General Assembly and, at the end of cordingly, countries in the upper reaches the same year, UN International Confer- use water as a primary source of electric ence on Water Cooperation.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20)

6 NEXT STEPS NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

NEXT STEPS

Tajikistan is one of the countries with a its “green” economy. Systematic en- modest contribution to the environmen- hancement of the population’s well-be- tal damage. The country is at the stage ing will remain the most important task of of developing its industry. According to the Government of the Republic of Tajiki- Sha Zukang, United Nations Under-Secre- stan in transition to a “green” economy. tary-General,39 “many developing coun- A “green” economy will be supported tries have not yet entered the industrial- by its people only if it improves socio- ization stage, and in such a context it’s economic conditions of every family. difficult for them to develop a “green” economy in compliance with the stan- Tajikistan has a vast experience of co- dards of developed countries.” Accord- operating with UN. Ways of economic ing to him, developing countries have to development proposed by this affluent solve the following issues: develop their global organization are rational, and economies to enhance living standards their evolutionary implementation will en- of their people, spur their social develop- sure country’s sustainable development. ment to facilitate social equity and solve UN’s support and recommendations will, the environmental problems. It is devel- therefore, offer developing countries oped countries, not developing nations, good opportunities to establish a system that gave rise to the environmental chal- of a “green” economy and ensure long- lenges as a result of the industrialization term sustainable development. process. Therefore, a key for the regula- UNDP and UN organizations support tion of these challenges lies in that devel- transition of national economies to sus- oped countries keep their promises with tainable development through:40 good faith, on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility”, and as- − Fostering actually integrated na- sist developing states financially and by tional approach to development sharing technologies. that focuses on the “trifecta” policy and programme; It is to be stressed that all countries, includ- − Providing political and technical ing developed ones, still have to identify support to the governments, in- their clear strategies for transition to a cluding support through innovative “green” economy since key provisions of development programmes, such the global “green” economy policy will as Poverty and Environment Initia- be presented to the world community tive, Promotion of Green Goods only at the Rio+20 Conference. and Legal Empowerment of the Given the current levels of economic Poor Initiative, that will help them development and socio-economic con- to move towards “trifecta” devel- ditions, Tajikistan obviously will need sup- opment results; port of developed countries to develop − Ensuring that countries fully support this programme through the UNDP 39 Statement at the High-Level Symposium under the Development Cooperation Forum, 40 UNDP’s communications “narrative” for Brisbane, May 15 2012. Rio+20, 2012.

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Resident Coordinator; and − Systematically improve civil ser- − Establishing partner relations, in- vants’ qualifications. cluding relations between donor countries, private sector and civil Power engineering: society, to implement the national − Develop hydropower engineering, vision of sustainable development. including medium and small pow- In general, one can say that Tajikistan’s er engineering in mountain areas; further steps to achieve sustainable devel- − Construct thermal power plants us- opment under a new paradigm of global ing advanced environmental pro- development in the context of a “green” tection technologies; economy will be primarily undertaken un- − Foster use of solar energy and es- der the implementation of the Concept tablish in-house capacities to pro- for Transition to Sustainable Development duce equipment for solar power of the Republic of Tajikistan41 consistent engineering; with the key MDG targets, namely: − Foster use of wind energy in appropriate locations and establish in- − Reduce poverty; house capacities to produce equip- − Achieve energy and food security; ment for wind power engineering; − Ensure social stability; − Foster use of biogas energy and − Ensure environmental sustainabil- establish in-house capacities to ity; and produce biogas plants; − Achieve efficient management. − Widely introduce and apply energy-saving technologies; and Tajikistan is interested in using high re- − Support research and develop- source-efficient technologies for its de- ment activities on the use of non- velopment towards a “green” econo- traditional energy sources. my. In doing so, Tajikistan, apart from the need to cooperate with international Industry: organizations, will have to overcome acute shortage of material and techni- − Develop a national programme for cal and financial resources and focus on enhancing natural resources use the efficient use of its own opportunities efficiency in the country’s industrial and resources. Relevant actions include: sector using resource-saving technologies enabling improved effi- Political economy and improvement of ciency of goods production; the governance systems: − Develop a national programme for developing small industry in ru- − Reform the economic manage- ral areas on the basis of “green” ment system using adequate inter- technologies; national experience; − Orient a part of the economy to- − Expend involvement of civil society wards development of spheres institutions in the process of moni- of production where highly skilled toring of, and control over, the use manual labour is applied, such as of natural resources; jewellery, production of goods us- − Simplify the system of the manage- ing semiprecious stones, etc.; ment hierarchy; − Develop stone milling for construc- − Attract professional specialists to tion and other purposes for internal public economic management; use and export (e.g., production of and stone tiles); and − Create adequate conditions and 41 Concept for Transition to Sustainable Development of the Republic of Tajikistan incentives for the introduction of approved by Decree of the Government advanced resource-saving tech- of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 500 dated nologies. October 1, 2007.

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

Agriculture: nologies and use of nontraditional energy sources, etc.; and − Conduct a scientifically sound re- − Simplify, and improve transparency form of the agro-industrial complex of, the taxation system, introduce management to create favorable advanced information technolo- conditions for the development gies for tax payment and reporting. of all areas of this sector, i.e. plant breeding, animal and poultry Education, science and technologies: breeding, fishery, etc.; − Foster high productivity of the ex- − Rehabilitate a network of profes- isting irrigated and rainfed lands, sional technical colleges; reclaim lands using soil-protective − Mainstream parallel training in technologies and modern irriga- high-demand working professions, tion technologies, and use “green” agricultural professions, house- fertilizers; keeping, etc. in the secondary ed- − Develop a mid- and long-term na- ucation programme; tional programme for amelioration − Revise curricula of secondary of the used and new irrigated lands technical and higher institutions to focused on the use of “green” support scientific and economic technologies; development, taking account of st − Transit, step-by-step, to a stall feed- challenges of the 21 century; and ing and foster development of − Support scientific and research mechanization of natural forage works in the field of development gathering and processing in dif- and introduction of equipment and ficult geomorphologic conditions, technologies contributing to in- thus preventing soil erosion and creased economic efficiency, pop- degradation in water intakes and ulation’s well-being, conservation contributing to forest recovery, for- and protection of natural resources. estation and availability of “green” Environmental protection: fertilizers for plant breeding; and − Foster development of the agri- − Develop a national programme cultural market and create favor- for integrating environmental pro- able conditions for farmers to sell tection commitments in the pro- the products grown, particularly in duction activities of all production mountain areas. and non-production organizations of various forms of ownership; Development of tax and legal frame- − Develop an environmental educa- works for the creation of a “green” tion programme intended to form economy: the pro-environmental mentality; and − Develop and implement a system − Develop environmental protection of legal, economic, administrative legislation, standards, orders and and tax measures and moral incen- rules contributing to increased ef- tives contributing to the creation ficiency and sustainable develop- and development of a “green” ment of the economy. economy aimed at creating million jobs to significantly reduce Ta- In Tajikistan, the creation of a “green” jikistan’s dependence on imports; economy will be linked to the strate- − Establish a tax and legal system gic goals of the country, i.e. poverty to stimulate: import of advanced reduction and improvement of the energy-saving technologies, es- population’s well-being, economic de- tablishment of “green” production velopment and employment creation, capacities, irrigation of new lands strengthening of the country’s sover- using energy-saving irrigation tech- eignty and national security.

56 7 annexes NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

ANNEXES

International acts ratified by Tajikistan − Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1996); − Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its London Amendment (1997); − United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1997); − United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (1998); − United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1998); − Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Wa- terfowl Habitat (2000); − Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (2000); − Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision- making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (2001); − Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (2008).

Social laws of the Republic of Tajikistan: − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Social Partnership, Agreements and Labour Contracts (1992); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Pension Protection of Citizens in the Republic of Tajikistan (1993); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Refugees (1994); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Veterans (1995); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On State Social Insurance (1997); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Migration (1999); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Employment Assistance (2003); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Primary Professional Education (2003); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Employers Associations (2004); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Social Protection of Disabled People (2010); − Labor Code of the Republic of Tajikistan (1997).

Laws of Tajikistan regulating the use of natural resources and environmental protection: − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Nature Protection (1993); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Atmosphere Protection (1996); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Protected Areas and Facilities (1996); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Transport (1997); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Power Engineering (2000); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Energy Saving (2002);

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− Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Production and Consumption Wastes (2002); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Hydro Meteorological Activities (2002); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Radiation Safety (2003); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Ecological Expertise (2003); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Flora Protection and Use (2004); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Biological Safety (2005); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Other Obligatory Payments to the Budget (2006); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Water Users Associations (2006); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Fauna (2008); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Environmental Education (2010); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Alternative Energy Sources (2010); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Drinking Water and Drinking Water Supply (2010); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Safety of Hydro Engineering Facilities (2010); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Environmental Protection (2011); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Environmental Monitoring (2011); − Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Ecological Information (2011); − Forest Code of the Republic of Tajikistan (1993); − Land Code of the Republic of Tajikistan (1996); − Water Code of the Republic of Tajikistan (2000).

State and national programmes, strategies and action plans: − National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan until 2015 (2007); − Poverty Reduction Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2007-2009 (2007); − Poverty Reduction Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2010-2012 (2010); − State Environmental Education and Learning Programme of the Republic of Ta- jikistan until 2000 and for the long term until 2010 (1996); − National Environmental Hygiene Action Plan (2000); − National Action Programme to Combat Desertification (2001); − State Protected Areas Development Programme for 2005-2015 (2005); − State Forestry Development Programme for 2006-2015 (2005); − Bee-Keeping Recovery and Development Programme of the Republic of Tajiki- stan for 2006-2010 (2005); − National Environmental Action Plan (2006); − Programme for Improvement of Clean Drinking Water Supply to the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2008-2020 (2006); − Programme for Recovery of Hydro Meteorological Stations and Level Gauges of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2007-2016 (2006); − Comprehensive Target Programme for Use of Renewable Energy Sources (Solar, Wind and Biomass Energy, Energy of Minor Rivers, Energy of Geothermal Sources) until 2015 (2007); − Comprehensive Target Programme for Extensive Use of Renewable Energy Sourc- es (2007); − Programme for Recovery and Hail-Suppression Works of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2007-2012 (2007); − Programme for Improvement of Ameliorative Condition of Irrigated Agricultural Lands for 2010-2014 (2009); − State Ecological Programme of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2009-2019 (2009); − State Programme for Bank Protection Works in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2011- 2015 (2011);

Elaborated in preparation for the UN International Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) NATIONAL OVERVIEW: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY IN TAJIKISTAN

− State Programme for Glaciers Study and Protection for 2010-2030 (2010); − State Programme for Planting, Collection and Processing of Medicinal Herbs and Making Drugs of Them for 2005-2014 (2005); − National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity Rational Use and Conservation (2003); − National Environmental Action Plan of the Republic of Tajikistan (2006); − Poverty Reduction Strategies in the Republic of Tajikistan (2007-2009), (2010-2012).

Concepts approved by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan − Concept for Rational Use and Protection of Water Resources in the Republic of Tajikistan (2001); − Concept for Development of Sectors within the Fuel-and-Energy Complex of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2003-2015 (2002); − Concept for Transition to Sustainable Development of the Republic of Tajikistan (2007); − Concept for Environmental Protection in the Republic of Tajikistan (2008); − Concept for Housing and Public Utilities Sector Reforming of the Republic of Ta- jikistan (2010).

Ministry of Melioration and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan Shamsi 5/1 str., Dushanbe Tel: +992 37 235 35 66, Fax: +992 37 235 35 66 E-mail: [email protected]