The Kyrgyz Republic has established interlinked Local and Republican Environment Funds. The funds were established by Resolution No. y∏-239 of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the Local and Republican Funds of Environmental Protection in the Kyrgyz Republic” of 21 July 1992 (as amended by Presidential Resolution No. y∏-203 of 14 June 1996). The funds seek to finance environmental measures, restore natural resource and environmental losses, and address and compensate for environmental consequences of emergencies and accidents. Regional and city environmental authorities are responsible for Local Environment Funds, while an Administrative Board manages the Republican Environment Fund of the Ministry of Environment and Emergencies.
Local environment funds are supported by monies contributed by associations, enterprises, institutions, other organizations using natural resources, regardless of the bodies’ ownership and management modes. The monies include:
- Payments for discharge of pollutants and disposal of wastes into the environment pursuant to a permit or license;
- Fines or other payments for unauthorized placement of wastes into the environment or for exceeding waste disposal allowances;
- Fines for accidental releases of waste and pollutants into the environment;
- Payments made to compensate for environmental damages;
- Charitable donations by natural resource users, juridical persons, and individuals;
- Dedicated payments by nature users to finance environmental protection activities;
- Profits from lotteries; and
- Income from environmental posts and other sources, which do not contradict the legislation in force.
The Local Environment Funds are used for:
- Participating in developing and implementing regional and Republican environmental programmes;
- Developing and updating environmental management technologies, reconstructing and repairing environmental elements of local significance, and for separate environmental uses;
- Conducting scientific research, pilot projects, and activities to develop new environmental technologies, devices, and equipment, including automated monitoring systems and other tools to assess the state of the environment and to provide environmental protection;
- Taking measures to prevent environmental violations and compensate for harm from the violations (such measures may include planting trees, addressing problems of noise, etc.);
- Carrying out activities to preserve and rehabilitate small rivers;
- Developing a network of special protected areas and preserving natural memorials;
- Carrying out environmental impact assessments;
- Improving logistical capacity and covering other expenses of local environmental bodies, particularly relating to environmental activities and training of personnel;
- Raising environmental awareness, including events such as contests, workshops, conferences, and meetings on environmental protection; and
- Training and financing the personnel of the Republican Environment Fund, in accordance with the budget.
Not more than 5 percent of Local Environment Funds can be allocated to an insurance reserve to address the negative consequences due to force-majeure events and accidents that cause environmental damage. The Local Environment Funds are used strictly for their designated purposes. Their use is controlled by the Administration of the Republican Environment Fund of the Ministry of Environment and Emergencies of the Kyrgyz Republic. Use of the Local Environment Funds is carried out according to annual plans that are agreed upon by the Heads of local State administrations and approved by the Administration of the Republican Environment Fund.
The Republican Environment Fund (including foreign currencies) is extracted from Local Environment Funds: 25 percent of each Local Environment Fund is contributed to the Republican Environment Fund. The Republican Fund is used for:
- Carrying out activities to rehabilitate nature (small rivers, lakes, etc.) affected by anthropogenic activities, as well as activities aimed at the common protection and rehabilitation of flora and fauna;
- Creating and operating special protected areas;
- Participating in developing and implementing Republican integrated programmes for environmental protection;
- Developing environmental legislation and norms;
- Carrying out State and public environmental impact assessments;
- Raising awareness on environmental issues;
- Improving logistical capacity and covering other expenses of environmental activities by the Ministry of Environment and Emergencies of the Kyrgyz Republic and its local bodies;
- Training and advanced training of personnel in the Ministry of Environment and Emergencies;
- Awarding incentives to private sector employees, to the employees of the Ministry of Environment and Emergencies, and to public environmental inspectors for any significant achievements in environmental management at the Republican level; and
- Maintaining the Republican Environment Fund and the Center of Environmental Strategy and Policy of the Ministry of Environment and Emergencies.
In some specific cases, the Republican Environment Fund can be used for (on a cost-sharing basis):
- Research, scientific experiments, projects to develop environmental technologies and equipment;
- Establishing facilities to process industrial and consumer wastes;
- Purchasing equipment for waste treatment and combustion, including purchases from abroad; and
- Replenishing Local Environment Funds (in case they lack funds) in order to carry out environmental measures in regions with critical environmental situations.
Part of the Republican Environment Fund can be allocated to create an insurance contingency for warning about and addressing environment consequences. The allocation of the reserve is calculated on the basis of the forecasted assessment of emergencies, typical for a local territory, and necessary expenses for warning about and addressing possible consequences.
The Republican Environment Fund is used in accordance with the budget for the planned period, which is developed by the Administration of the Republican Environment Fund of the Ministry of Environment and Emergencies and approved by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.
For more information on the Republican Environment Fund, contact rfop@osh.gov.kg