Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. National coordinator for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Z.Batjargal held a meeting with journalists in aims of informing the public about sustainable development. Organized by ‘Association of Mongolian Journalists for Sustainable Development’ NGO, the meeting is a part of a series of meetings to be organized for journalists in aims of giving information on sustainable development to the public.

- Mongolia has joined up with countries of the world to reduce climate change, and developed a document on Sustainable Development Agenda. However, our citizens do not seem to fully understand that the participation of all citizens is important. What are your thoughts on this matter?

- The main concept of sustainable development is to pass on the environment and its resources without pollution and using up to its full capacity to our next generations. Sustainable development is to be achieved through three core “pillars”: environment, economy, and society. This is all due to the necessity of another Earth if we do not keep track of how we use our resources and protect the environment.

- How are the chances of promoting and implementing sustainable development in our country as well as participation?

- We have the full potential to provide the necessities of life by solely using renewable resources. However, if we keep up in development, focus on further developing certain sectors, and use renewable resources in building infrastructure, Mongolia would be able to achieve the true concept of sustainable development. 

In correlation with the matter of sustainable development, it has become a trend to work towards creating income by putting all natural resources into economic circulation, and protecting the environment by solving issues such as poverty. Everyone throughout the globe has admitted that our current attitude is wrong as all of us have to mind our consumption.

For example, 14 projects have been submitted to the Green Climate Fund by Mongolia, all of which having been received. This shows that they see the opportunity to develop sustainable development and green economy in Mongolia.

The image shows: If no global changes continue to be made against climate change, the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) will reach over 60 gigatons. According to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the global temperature rise is to be kept at 2 degrees Celsius--and even 1 degrees Celsius if possible. To keep the temperature at 2 degrees, the amount of GHG must be reduced to 40 gigatons. And to keep it at 1.5 degrees, GHG must be further reduced to 20 gigatons.

Mongolia has set a goal to reduce GHG by 14 percent. Whether or not we reach the goal highly depends on our actions. For instance, if the coverage of vegetation is increased in our country, it is possible to reduce GHG by 33-34 percent. However, the one danger that is not dependent on our actions is climate change. This is due to GHG emission being the main cause of climate change. Despite the amount of GHG produced by our country being very little, the emission per product is more than those of our two neighboring countries as well as other countries of the world.

This shows the need for certain measures to be implemented despite the little contribution to the global amount of GHG. In Mongolia, 40 percent of total GHG emissions are from energy production, with animal husbandry not far behind due to the large amount of methane production from livestock.

Relatively small percentages are taken by the sectors of construction, and road and transport. Furthermore, there is also an opportunity to absorb GHG by reducing forest fires and illegal logging, and increasing the coverage of vegetation. It is through this method that we can reduce GHG emissions.

- It seems that the concept of green economy should also be mentioned in correlation with sustainable development?

- Yes, this is about the environmentally friendly technology industry. Adapting our lifestyles to nature and the environment is important. By this, I do not mean the ancient way of living--instead, a sustainable consumption of renewable resources.

Mongolia has included appropriate balance between manufacturing and consumption, clean economy, and non-waste technology in its Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. However, most interestingly, all these had always been a part of the traditional way of living for Mongolians. There was no waste due to non-waste technology, and even if there was, the waste was natural, and eventually absorbed into nature itself.

- There has been news about 50 percent of the total permafrost area in our country melting due to climate change. Could you elaborate on this?

- Some of you may have noticed birch trees having fallen over due to being dried up in the mountains around Ulaanbaatar. However, shrubs and bushes continue to grow next to the trees. This is due to the soil of the permafrost. More specifically, the little amount of rainfall cannot get through the soil well. This means that birch trees have no nutrients for growth as the permafrost underneath is melting. In other words, plants that absorb their nutrients from deep within the soil are dying, and those that do not such as shrubs and bushes are all that are able to survive.

The traditional form of naturally irrigated farming is also disappearing due to the melting permafrost. Some may say that traditional farming is unnecessary in this age of advanced technology. However, this is not the case as traditional farming is advantageous for being consistent with no loss in produce. Thus, as this period comes to an end, we human beings have to put all our efforts into keeping it sustainable.

B.Bold