March 2016: The third Environmental Performance Reviews (EPR) of Belarus and Georgia assess the countries’ performance on environmental and economic targets and international environmental commitments, with the aim of guiding improvements in environmental management and integrating environmental considerations into economic sectors. The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) published the reviews, which also highlight challenges and successes in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and provide recommendations for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Belarus prioritized the MDGs and has been actively involved in SDG discussions, according to the review. The country has a ‘National Strategy for Sustainable Socioeconomic Development,’ which forms the core of its system of strategic planning. The Strategy includes green economy principles but has been weakened by the discontinuation of national environmental action plans.

Georgia monitored its progress on the MDGs irregularly, according to the review, with nearly a ten-year gap between its first and second MDG progress monitoring reports. Further, Georgia has not developed a national sustainable development strategy and has made little progress in revising its environmental standards since 2010. Still, Georgia’s process of EU association increased clarity on environmental policy objectives, helping to reconcile economic and environmental goals.

On emissions of air pollution substances, sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased and nitrogen oxide levels stayed the same in Belarus. Its greenhouse gas (GHG), heavy metal and ammonia emissions increased. In Georgia, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds have increased since 2008 while sulfur oxide and total suspended particles (TSP) have decreased. Both countries are in compliance with their obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Belarus is reducing its consumption and phasing out production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Georgia phased out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons.

On biodiversity and protected areas (PAs), Belarus increased its share of PAs, designated nine new Ramsar sites, and has an integrated monitoring system. Georgia has improved its PA management and established new PAs, although the country has not yet developed a spatial development plan to strengthen existing PAs and transform them into a network. The review also observes that Georgia’s current PA monitoring system is insufficient.

Other environmental trends in Georgia include: threats related to soil erosion and soil salinization, which are contributing to degradation of agricultural land; a reliance on groundwater as a source of water; and continued challenges in access to safe drinking water. The review observes that the “drinking water quality monitoring system has worsened substantially.” Further, Georgia only treated 26% of its wastewater in 2013, much of the rural population is not connected to wastewater systems, and wastewater data is not available, according to the report. In contrast, Belarus shows a steady, improving trend on surface water quality and treats two-thirds of discharged wastewater. [Belarus: Environmental Performance Reviews: Third Review] [Georgia: Environmental Performance Reviews: Third Review]