Georgia’s natural beauty is threatened by unsustainable development and political repression against environmental activists, impacting EU integration.
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Georgia possesses extraordinary natural beauty, featuring diverse landscapes from Colchis National Park to Svaneti mountains and David Gareja deserts, attracting many tourists. However, this nature is threatened by human activity, particularly unsustainable infrastructure development and pollution across regions like the Black Sea coast and Svaneti. Environmental activists have historically played a significant role in protecting Georgia’s environment, achieving successes such as halting the Namakhvani hydroelectric plant project and influencing emission laws in Rustavi. European integration supported many environmental initiatives through funding and alignment with EU standards. However, since 2024, the government under “Georgian Dream,” which gained power after parliamentary elections, has introduced a foreign agent law and faced civil protests, leading to repression against activists and NGOs. This political shift has caused deterioration in relations with Europe, resulting in Georgia’s candidate status being suspended by the EU due to democratic backsliding and erosion of rule of law. Currently, environmental movements are facing reduced motivation and support, as many organizations avoid registration under the foreign agent law or cease operations. Environmental standards are declining, with new construction projects threatening critical areas like the Chorokhi river delta, which is vital for bird migration. Climate change issues persist, including glacier melt leading to tragedies and concerns over water scarcity and pollution in cities. European environmental organizations express concern over this trend, noting that while some small EU-supported projects continue, the overall political climate pushes environmental activism out of the political arena. The European Commission has stated that Georgia’s path toward EU membership is effectively interrupted due to democratic regression, though the door remains open if fundamental changes are made. While direct aid to the government has been cut, the EU is increasing support for civil society and independent media.
