Tbilisi advances emissions monitoring reform in EU-aligned energy legislation push, ruling party MP

Georgia’s Parliament has adopted the second reading of amendments to the Law on Environmental Protection, aimed at strengthening emissions monitoring and advancing the country’s alignment with European energy and climate standards.

The First Deputy Chair of the Parliament’s Committee on Economic Policy, Irakli Mezurnishvili, told the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum in Brussels that the reform package is designed to support Georgia’s EU integration process, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and fulfil obligations under the Energy Community Treaty.

He said the legislation will establish a system for monitoring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas emissions, enabling the state to assess emissions levels more accurately and support the development of future emissions trading mechanisms.

Mezurnishvili also claimed Georgia’s Parliamentary Committee on Environment Protection and Natural Resources is also working on a broader climate law, with current efforts focused on institutional governance structures to ensure effective implementation after adoption.

He further noted that Georgia’s energy sector is steadily approaching European standards, adding that progress depends on continued reforms, deeper regional cooperation, and strategic infrastructure development.

Mezurnishvili also outlined the structure of Georgia’s energy market, noting that the country remains partly integrated into the Southern Gas Corridor, with Azerbaijan as the main supplier. He said natural gas imports are still partly dependent on balancing supplies, while gas storage facilities are not yet in place, limiting flexibility during crises.

He added that the oil market is more diversified, though imports from Russia remain significant, with a declining trend observed in early 2026.