According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) database in 2019, there were 5,220 deaths in Georgia due to air pollution. According to these estimates, there are 130.6 ambient pollution-related deaths per 100,000 Georgians each year – a number that is higher than in most western European countries and even higher than Armenia or Azerbaijan (Figure 1).
AIR POLLUTION – COUNTRY OUTLOOK
According to the Center on Emission Inventories and Projections, around 82% Georgia’s total PM emissions come from the energy and industry sectors (mainly wood for heating). Ammonia emissions were accounted for by 86% in agriculture, sulfur oxide emissions by 95% in industry, and carbon monoxide emissions by 93% from the transportation sector and energy sector. These sectors are of particular importance to policymakers.
Georgia has significantly higher indoor and outdoor air pollutants than other European countries (World Bank, 2010). On average, particulate concentrations are higher than the levels deemed safe for human safety. The number of respiratory diseases linked to air pollution is also increasing in urban areas due to emissions.
AIR POLLUTION IS AVAILABLE IN TBILISI
The economic growth and increasing income levels will likely encourage people in rural areas, to switch to safer fuels and improve indoor air quality. The problem of outdoor pollution cannot be solved in the short-term. The immediate increase in economic activity, coupled with the rise in car ownership, will cause air pollution to increase in Georgian cities, until the trend reverses.
Geostat data show that the Georgian population is unevenly distributed, with the majority of people living in Tbilisi (approximately 60 percent in 2022). Tbilisi is home to around one third of all vehicles.
Tbilisi’s air pollution is not only caused by vehicles. Tbilisi is the most polluted of all the cities in Georgia. The data on air pollution in Tbilisi show that pollution has been increasing continuously over the past three years (Figure 3). In 2020, the pollution levels dropped significantly due to Covid-19. With lower traffic and limited factory operation, this period saw a reduction in emission levels. However, it is not possible to claim that there has been a significant decline.
POLITICS IN PLACE
The Government of Georgia is actively working to improve the air quality in Georgia. In recent years, policies have been implemented to regulate the emission of hazardous materials from the transportation, construction, and industry sectors, promote urban planning, as well as encourage green spaces in urban areas.
The air quality standard is a set of standards that determines the target levels of different atmospheric substances. It was introduced by the Government of Georgia in July 2018. The ordinance also specifies that the information on air quality must be made public in an annual report.
In some regions, it may be possible to update the information on the concentration of pollutants within the air at least every day, if not hourly.
Multiple steps were taken to reduce vehicle-induced emission. The first step in reducing these emissions was the fuel-quality control mechanism. In this mechanism, the sulfur content in diesel and petrol decreased by 25 and 6 times, respectively, (from 2012-2017 and from 2012-2019). Since 2017, Georgia uses Euro 5 standard gasoline. In 2018, there was no trace detected of lead in many gasoline samples.6 The policy also tries to encourage consumers to switch to hybrid or electric vehicles. The excise tax for hybrid cars that are less than six-years-old has been more than halved. However, the same tax for older fuel-burning vehicles has doubled or tripled depending on the age of the vehicle. The tariff on electric vehicles was also lowered to zero. Imports of hybrid cars grew 20 times more in 2018 than they did in 2015.
In 2017, the excise taxes on petrol imports almost tripled and doubled in 2017. In 2017, petrol and diesel fuel consumption decreased by 10%.
The need for urgent solutions to policy challenges
Despite a variety of policies, such as air quality plans for several large cities, the country needs to take additional measures in order to reach its pollution targets. It is evident from anecdotal evidence that the technical inspection enforcement mechanisms need to be revised.
As highlighted, the percentage of electric and hybrid vehicles in the total fleet remains negligible while the trend towards car ownership continues to increase. Urban transport policies and practices are therefore crucial in encouraging the switch from car ownership to municipal transport.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine redirected part of the Asian trade route towards Georgia, increasing road traffic and diesel-fueled truck emissions (Leijen 2022).
Hence, the first step is to enforce the rules and conduct technical inspections. To encourage the use of electric vehicles, it is important to implement the necessary infrastructure in a timely fashion. In addition, policymakers must pay attention to the development and promotion of green public transportation to reduce the popularity of private cars and the air pollution caused by traffic jams.
In addition, green spaces should not be substituted for residential buildings, but should instead be widely integrated into their construction. The policymakers should also impose and follow more stringent regulations to reduce construction-induced air pollutants and provide more green spaces for the citizens.
If road traffic increases in the country, authorities should either require air pollution filters on cars or install emission-absorbing devices along highways.
It is important to raise awareness about the seriousness of the issue. This would encourage people to take responsibility for air pollution, and force policymakers to push for more radical changes.
It is vital that Georgia develops a green strategy for growth that takes into account air quality and helps it meet European living standards. This will create a safe environment that future generations can enjoy.
CONCLUSION
International and local studies have shown how air pollution can negatively impact human health. A preliminary analysis showed that Georgian policies for combating air pollution, preventing pollution-induced diseases, and avoiding deaths are not enough to reverse the negative trend.
In fact, economic growth without consideration of the green growth agenda would worsen the situation. To avoid the worst consequences, preventive measures should be taken by both policymakers and society.
1 The environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis suggests that pollution increases at the start of economic growth. Economic growth allows for environmental remediation once it reaches a certain income level.
2 Info.police.ge
3 Metallurgical and mineral industries, toxic waste management and chemical industries, food industries and storage and distribution of oil products and oil products are all included. Source: https://air.gov.ge/
4 https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/1119518?publication=0
5 https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/4277611?publication=0
6 https://air.gov.ge/en/pages/4/6?news_event_id=1
7 Air Quality Portal
8 Residential Real Estate in Tbilisi, 2022.
By Erekle Shubitidze, Guram Lobzhanidze, Mariam Tsulukidze
Read More @ georgiatoday.ge