This Code regulates public relations in the sphere of interaction between man and nature (environmental relations), arising in connection with the implementation of activities by natural and legal entities that have or can have impact on the environment. The relations regulated by this Code also include social relations in the field of environmental monitoring, meteorological and hydrological monitoring, which are aimed at provision of natural and legal persons with ecological and hydrometeorological information. The Environmental Code shall be valid throughout the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including continental shelf and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Kazakhstan in accordance with the norms of international law. The scope of the environmental legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan is determination of legal grounds, tasks and principles, as well as mechanisms for implementation of the unified state environmental policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Objectives of the environmental legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be as follows: (a) ensuring a high level of environmental protection through the implementation of state regulation aimed at preventing environmental pollution, environmental damage, ensuring elimination of consequences of environmental damage, as well as gradual reduction of negative anthropogenic impact on the environment; (b) provision of environment favorable for human life and health; (c) ensuring sustainable development; (d) provision of contribution of the Republic of Kazakhstan to strengthening of global reaction to the risks of climate change in the context of sustainable development, as well as implementation of international, regional and transboundary programs on environmental protection and transition to "green" economy; (e) protection, preservation and rehabilitation of environment, including areas and objects of special ecological, scientific, historical, cultural, recreational, economic and social significance, including the rights of local communities to associate with nature; (f) creation of an effective public management system in the field of environmental protection which provides for cooperation and coordination among all government agencies; (g) encouraging and stimulating the government to "green" investments and wide use the best available resource-saving practices, reduction of waste volumes and waste hazardousness indicators, use of renewable energy, water conservation, and measures to improve energy efficiency, sustainable use and restoration of natural resources; (h) ensuring continuous and systematic collection, accumulation, storage, analysis and dissemination of environmental information to the public; (i) ensuring transparency and full public participation in addressing environmental protection and sustainable development issues in the Republic of Kazakhstan; (j) ensuring effective environmental monitoring and environmental; (k) creating conditions to attract investments into environmental protection measures, modernizing the existing and constructing new infrastructure to provide a high level of environmental protection; (l) compliance with international treaties and other obligations in the field of environmental protection; (m) forming environmental culture in the society, promoting environmental knowledge at all educational levels, development of environmental education; and (n) strengthening of law and order in the field of environmental protection and environmental security. The Code contains 24 Sections divided into 418 Articles. Section 1 lays down general provisions. Section 2 regards state management in the field of environmental protection. Section 3 regards state regulation of environmental relations. Section 4 regards economic regulation of environmental protection. Section 5 regards environmental damages. Section 6 regards sites of historic pollution. Section 7 regards elimination of the consequences of activities at facilities that have a negative impact on environment. Section 8 regards state monitoring of environment and natural resources. Section 9 regards activities in the field of meteorological monitoring, hydrological monitoring and monitoring of the state of environment. Section 10 regards state register of natural resources. Section 11 regards environmental supervision. Section 12 regards ecological culture and education. Section 13 regards ecological research. Section 14 regards atmospheric air protection. Section 15 regards waterbodies protection. Section 16 regards land protection. Section 17 regards nature protection. Section 18 regards climate and ozone layer. Section 19 regards waste management. Section 20 establishes ecological requirements for some types of activities. Section 21 regards areas of ecological emergencies and ecological disasters. Section 22 regards international cooperation in the field of environmental protection. Section 23 establishes liability for ecological offences and the procedure for dispute settlement. Section 24 lays down final provisions.