ULAN BATOR, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's State Great Hural, the country's unicameral parliament, has approved the country's first stand-alone Climate Change Law, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change announced on Thursday.
Speaking at a press briefing, Tsend Sandag-Ochir, minister of environment and climate change, said the legislation establishes a legal framework for addressing climate change and implementing the country's long-term climate and sustainable development policies.
The nine-chapter, 32-article law provides a legal basis for coordinating climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting green development and fulfilling Mongolia's international climate commitments. It also introduces regulations on climate finance, carbon markets, greenhouse gas inventories, reporting and transparency mechanisms.
According to the ministry, the new law marks an important step toward advancing Mongolia's green transition, strengthening climate resilience and expanding international cooperation. The legislation also represents an important legal reform ahead of Mongolia's hosting of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in August.
Mongolia is among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, approximately 77 percent of the Asian country's total land area is currently affected by desertification and land degradation. ■
