Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Policy

The purpose of this policy is to protect public and municipal employees' health by preventing and eliminating exposure to potentially harmful air contaminants in the workplace, including exhaust fumes, and to improve the environment by reducing emissions of Green House Gases (GHG) and toxic air contaminants in the workplace and Kabul City. Green House Gases (GHG) are the gaseous components of the atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect. The major natural greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone. Minor greenhouse gases include methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, and halocarbons such as Freon and other CFCs. All GHG can absorb and emit infrared radiation. The orders of their abundance in the Earth's atmosphere are as follows: water vapor, which represents 60-70%; carbon dioxide, which represents approximately 26%; and methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and other minor greenhouse gases. This policy applies to all of Kabul Municipality's Departments and all citizens of Kabul City who are engaged in any activities that produce and contribute to GHG emissions and a lowering of air quality standards with Kabul City. The policy aims to reduce GHG emissions through various measures, including energy-efficient designs for buildings, energy conservation practices, ride-sharing, van-pooling, and the use of flex-time schedules by employees. The municipality also encourages the use of cleaner fuels, well-maintained vehicles, and an energy-efficient fleet management program for all of its vehicles. Implementation of the policy involves several key strategies, including reducing the solid waste stream by recycling and waste reduction measures, investigating ways to convert non-recyclable solid waste to energy, and promoting the purchase of recycled and recyclable goods. The municipality also aims to expand jurisdiction-wide waste diversion services, reduce GHG emissions at its landfill and city-wide through improved collection management of waste, and reduce waste generation. Additionally, the municipality will adopt and implement a development pattern that utilizes existing infrastructure where feasible and redirect new growth into existing city/urban growth areas. The policy will be enforced after His Excellency the Mayor's approval, and violation of the policy may result in disciplinary action. The municipality will monitor and evaluate its offices and departments bi-annually to determine the effectiveness of these policies on mitigating GHG in Kabul and adjust these policies as required.