Protection of Natural Ecosystems
Under the law on environmental protection, natural ecosystems, landscapes and territories must be protected from pollution, disturbance, damage, degradation, depletion and destruction. Protection extends specifically to: the sea coastal zone; wetlands, spring heads, water bodies, river headwaters, glaciers and caves; subalpine and floodplain forests; valuable forest massifs; green-zone forests; and sanitary protection zones and territories. Any activity related to natural ecosystems, landscapes and territories, and their management regime, is carried out in consideration of environmental norms and requirements, while the matters of their use and management, including land-use planning and zoning, are determined by Georgian legislation.
Protection of Wild Flora and Fauna
For the self-reproduction of wild plant and animal resources and the preservation of biodiversity, their removal from the environment is strictly limited and subject to licensing; the only exception is the granting of the right to harvest timber as a result of an auction conducted by the forest management body for the purpose of timber harvesting. Any action that may harm the world of wild plants and animals, their habitat, breeding areas and migration routes is prohibited. Wild animals and plants under the threat of extinction are registered in Georgia's Red List and Red Book, whose compilation procedure is determined by the legislation. All actions connected with rare species are thus subject to strict legal control.
The System and Categories of Protected Territories
The formation of the system of protected territories serves the protection and preservation of the self-sufficient natural-cultural environment and its individual components. The law establishes the following categories of protected territories:
- state nature reserve;
- national park;
- natural monument;
- managed reserve;
- protected landscape;
- multiple-use area.
Georgia also admits the existence of categories integrated into the international network of protected territories — a biosphere reserve, a world heritage site, and a wetland of international importance. Protected territories are created by decision of the Parliament of Georgia, which underlines the state-level significance of this status.
Climate Protection and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
For the purpose of protecting the Earth's climate from global changes, the activity subject is obliged to observe the norms for the emission of gases causing the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere and to implement measures for their reduction. The emission of greenhouse gases is regulated on the basis of the integrated pollution control system, while the legal regime of climate protection within Georgia's jurisdiction is established by the legislation.
The law has been supplemented with an institution of authorization of greenhouse gas emissions, which enters into force on January 1, 2028. Under this model, activities determined by a decree of the Government of Georgia will require an authorization of greenhouse gas emissions. The authorization is issued by the National Environment Agency within the Ministry's system, and for aviation activities — by the Civil Aviation Agency. The application must contain a description of the installations and technologies, information on the raw and auxiliary materials used, data on emission sources, a draft monitoring and reporting plan, and a non-technical summary. The authorization is issued for an indefinite term and must contain a monitoring plan. It may be declared invalid, for example, if the activity is not commenced within 5 years of obtaining the authorization, or is suspended for 2 calendar years without the person being able to substantiate that repair or renovation work was carried out during that period. The holder may transfer the authorization, wholly or partially, to another person, which means the transfer of obligations together with rights.
Under the new model, the person carrying out the activity is obliged to conduct emission monitoring on the basis of an approved plan and to submit, annually, no later than March 31 of the respective year, a report on the annual greenhouse gas emissions, which must be verified by an accredited verifier; the verified report is published on the environmental information portal. A proposal for amending the monitoring plan is submitted by December 31 of the respective year. These obligations become effective on January 1, 2028, giving operators time to prepare.
Protection of the Ozone Layer, the Black Sea and Mercury
The activity subject is obliged to reduce or cease the production or use of chemical substances that affect and deplete the Earth's ozone layer; products containing such substances may be imported into Georgia only under a special permit. For the protection and preservation of the Black Sea environment, every activity subject is obliged to carry out measures ensuring the prevention, curtailment, reduction and control of pollution from land-based sources, ships, activities on the continental shelf, transboundary cargo transportation, the atmosphere, inflow waters into the sea, and the burial of hazardous substances and materials.
For protection from anthropogenic emissions and leaks of mercury and its compounds, a special legal regime for the management of mercury is established in Georgia: the primary mining of mercury and the use of mercury or its compounds in gold mining or processing are prohibited, while the import, export and transit of mercury are allowed on the basis of prior informed consent.
The Ecological Catastrophe Regime and Emergency Zones
In the event of an ecological catastrophe, a state of emergency is declared on the whole territory of Georgia or in any part of it, and in the territory where it has been declared, a zone of emergency ecological situation or an ecological disaster zone is created. A zone of emergency ecological situation is declared in a territory where, as a result of activity or a natural disaster, the state of the environment has worsened and danger has been created for human health, vegetation cover and the animal world. An ecological disaster zone is declared in a territory where, as a result of activity, an accident, a catastrophe or a natural disaster, the ecological balance has been disrupted and human life is endangered. Both zones are declared and annulled by the President of Georgia, and their regime is determined by Georgian legislation. The delineation of the zones is of practical importance: it is precisely to it that the special legal regime of the affected territory and the measures for the protection of people are tied.