Public Hearings

Key Concepts

Public Hearings
One of the forms of public participation in the adoption of state and administrative decisions concerning environmental protection and sustainable development in the Republic of Kazakhstan, conducted through open meetings and public discussions on the website of the National Data Bank on the State of the Environment and Natural Resources.
The Public
One or more natural or legal persons, non-profit organizations, as well as associations, unions or other groupings.
The Public Concerned
The public affected or likely to be affected by decisions on environmental matters, or having an interest in participating in the decision-making process.
Preparer of the Report on Possible Impacts
A natural and/or legal person licensed to perform work and provide services in the field of environmental protection.

Purpose of Public Hearings

Citizen Engagement
To ensure the active participation of citizens in the decision-making process.
Enhanced Transparency
To make the decision-making process more open and accountable to the public.
Consideration of Public Opinion
To enable citizens to express their views and to ensure that their proposals are taken into account.

Role of Public Hearings

Public hearings ensure that the population is informed about planned projects, decisions and changes. Citizens are given an opportunity to review the materials, assess potential consequences and ask relevant questions. Public hearings provide a platform for dialogue among public authorities, experts and the population. Opinions, proposals and comments are exchanged during the discussions. Public participation in public discussions promotes civic responsibility, legal awareness and public engagement. Comments, proposals and applications concerning public hearing materials are submitted through the Information System “National Data Bank on the State of the Environment and Natural Resources” (NDB SENR): https://ndbecology.gov.kz/

The platform publishes public hearing materials, provides access to project documentation and enables the public concerned to submit comments and proposals within the time limits established by law.

Principles of Effectiveness

Openness and accessibility of information
Equality of participants in the discussion
Transparency of procedures
Objective consideration of proposals
Documentation of discussion outcomes

Cases Requiring an Open Meeting

Conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
Conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Development by local executive bodies of regions, cities of republican significance and the capital of three-year environmental action plans.
State Environmental Review of design documentation for the construction and/or operation of Category I and II facilities having an adverse environmental impact, where such documentation is intended for obtaining an environmental permit.

Cases Conducted in the Form of Public Discussion

State Environmental Review of design documentation for the construction and/or operation of residential and civil facilities specified in paragraph 9 of the Rules for Determining Category I and II Facilities Having an Adverse Environmental Impact.
State Environmental Review of design documentation for the facilities specified in subparagraphs 2), 3), 4), 5), 6), 7), 8) and 9) of Article 87 of the Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Draft environmental efficiency improvement programmes, including the full or partial revision of programmes previously agreed with the authorized environmental protection body.
Draft reference documents on Best Available Techniques (BAT).

Conclusion

Public hearings therefore ensure interaction among the state, proponents of the proposed activity and the public, facilitate the adoption of well-founded environmentally significant decisions and enable citizens to exercise their right to participate in resolving environmental protection matters.