U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT DISCUSSES CLIMATE CHANGE WITH

UNCLAS ASTANA 001343

STATE FOR OES, SCA/CEN (O'MARA),SCA/PPD (HOUGE)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV SOCI PREL ENRG KZ

SUBJECT: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT DISCUSSES CLIMATE CHANGE WITH
KAZAKHSTANI AUDIENCES


1. As part of its U.S. speaker program, U.S. Embassy Astana
sponsored the July 7-12 visit to Kazakhstan of environmental law
expert Dr. John Dernbach in order to familiarize Kazakhstani
audiences with the concepts of sustainable economic growth and the
importance of energy conservation in mitigating the effects of
global climate change. Dr. Dernbach is Professor of Environmental
Law at Widener University in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He had a
variety of meetings, public lectures, and round tables with
Kazakhstani government officials, environmental organizations,
journalists, USG program alumni, and members of the general public
in four cities: Almaty, Astana, Ust-Kamenogorsk, and Ridder. Dr.
Dernbach gave practical recommendations to the Ministry of
Environmental Protection on the Kazakhstani Environmental code and
on improving energy efficiency.


2. During his public lectures at the American Cultural Centers in
Almaty and Ust-Kamenogorsk, Dr. Dernbach explained that with the
proper policies in place, economic growth and environmental
protection can go hand in hand, and that ecological preservation can
actually support other development goals. He addressed the negative
effects of global climate change on the Eurasian continent in terms
of its effects on human health, agriculture, water resources, and
economic security. Dr. Dernbach's lectures were covered by both
national and regional media, including the Panorama and Megopolis
newspapers, KTV, and several internet news sites. Additionally,
ecological NGOs in Ridder expressed strong interest in having Dr.
Dernbach's forthcoming book on sustainable development translated
into Russian.


3. In a meeting on July 8 with the Ministry of Environmental
Protection, Dr. Dernbach highlighted the concept of sustainable
development and the inseparability of economic development and
environmental protection. He noted that in the United States,
states such as California and Pennsylvania have been at the
forefront of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also
linked Kazakhstan's desire to become one of the fifty most
competitive countries in the world to certain benchmarks that
developed countries must meet in environmental standards. While Dr.
Dernbach applauded Kazakhstan for developing a new environmental
code and a program on sustainable development, he noted several
omissions from the code and made some specific recommendations. For
instance, he suggested several cost-effective measures that
Kazakhstan could immediately put in place to promote energy
efficiency and reduce air pollution. These include building codes
for new construction, thermostats in office buildings and
apartments, energy-saving appliances, and emissions standards for
automobiles. He also suggested that Kazakhstan begin a program on
waste management and recycling. The Ministry of Environmental
Protection representatives admitted that Kazakhstan currently has
low energy efficiency standards, and appeared open to considering
his suggestions.


4. Comment: This was a particularly effective speaker program. Dr.
Dernbach communicated the main conceptual ideas on sustainable
development in a very persuasive manner. The program succeeded in
raising the awareness of diverse audiences in Kazakhstan about the
issues of sustainable development and climate change, especially its
relevance to Central Asia. This program was a good start in
encouraging discussion of environmental policies and attitudes among
government officials, NGOs, and youth in Kazakhstan. In September,
post will sponsor a follow-on speaker program by bringing to
Kazakhstan a U.S. expert on waste management and recycling. End
Comment.