On December 14, 2022, "EcoLur" Informational NGO sent a letter to Yerevan Mayor Hrachya Sargsyan to find out what activities were carried out in the capital within the framework of "Green City" action plan. The enquiry says:
"EcoLur" Informational NGO implements "Be informed about plans and programs of Green Cities in Yerevan and Gyumri" project. Based on the objectives of the Project, in accordance with Article 6 of RA Law "On Freedom of Information", please provide information as follows:
1. How much money was allocated for the development of "Yerevan City - Green City Action Plan" by the Technical Cooperation Fund of the Official Development Assistance of the Czech Government through the "Green Economy Policy" dialogue framework of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
2. Which of the short-term actions provided for by "Yerevan City - Green City Action Plan" approved by Yerevan City Council of Elders' Resolution No. 21-A of 12.09.2017, have been implemented, to what extent and how much money has already been spent.
Those actions are presented below:
A. The state of the environment in Yerevan
- Improving the air quality policy and methodology, as well as the monitoring system
- Establishment of "Green City Awareness Center".
B. Transport
- Introduction of a new bus network model and modernization of public transport using electric vehicles,
- Road infrastructure development,
- Introduction of 10 electric cars in the rolling stock by the end of 2020.
C. Power supply
- Implementation of energy management in community structures and implementation of capacity building for community energy managers,
- Use of energy-efficient lamps in internal lighting systems of public buildings,
- Use of solar PV panels for outdoor lighting devices in courtyards and entrances to apartment buildings.
D. Industry:
- Establishment of community-private sector dialogue platform and development of green business development action plan,
- Inclusion of support to "green" businesses in public procurement procedures,
- Achieving voluntary agreements on energy audits of the industrial sector in order to benefit companies (e.g. through small grants).
E. Waste management
- Construction of a new sanitary landfill for urban solid waste,
- Closing the existing landfills of Nubarashen and Ajapnyak.
Z. Water
- Start of installation of water meters by the water supply company,
- Drawing up a leakage reduction action plan,
- Concession agreement between RA Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources and the water supply company,
- Repair and restoration of the parts of the water supply system with the biggest leakages,
- Repair of sewer and rainwater aqueduct connection sections.
E. Land use:
- Implementation of green transport infrastructure in or near selected public buildings,
- Development of rules for the implementation of green transport infrastructure in new buildings and major renovations,
- Development and implementation of a long-term development plan for plant restoration in Yerevan,
- Restoration of forests and green spaces,
- Inventory of polluted areas of Yerevan as detailed as possible.
3. What mid-term and long-term measures does Yerevan Municipality plan to implement until 2030 in order to achieve the vision defined by "Yerevan -Green City Action Plan".
4. What difficulties and obstacles have appeared during the implementation phase of short-term actions?
5. This program developed for Yerevan is the first application of EBRD's "Green Cities" approach. Please indicate whether other cities have benefited from Yerevan's experience in implementing such a program.
6. As a result of the implemented measures, how much electricity was saved in Yerevan City in 2017-2022, and how much greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere were reduced, how much the degree of air pollution was reduced, how much the Program contributed to the reduction of water resource pollution, how many hectares of green space was established when the final closure of the existing landfill sites of Nubarashen and Ajapnyak and the start of operation of the new landfill are planned, by what percentage has Yerevan's vehicle fleet been renewed?”
On December 22, 2022, in response to EcoLur's inquiry, Information Department of Yerevan Municipality informed by letter:
"In order to improve and expand green areas and reduce atmospheric air pollution, the Department of Environmental Protection of the Staff is currently carrying out large-scale greening works, giving priority to the greening of the most vulnerable areas. Considering the climatic conditions of the city of Yerevan, stable, valuable, decorative and evergreen tree species are planted in green areas, which are more resistant to gas, dust, smoke and other pollutants.”
December 26, 2022 at 15:47