NAVIGATING POLITICAL DYNAMICS AND GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES IN MONGOLIA: A BRIEF CASE STUDY ON ADDRESSING AIR POLLUTION CHALLENGES IN ULAANBAATAR

Abstract

This thesis explores how Mongolia’s political institutions and governance structures have shaped the country’s response to urban air pollution, focusing specifically on Ulaanbaatar. Since the country’s democratic transition in the 1990s, environmental challenges in the winter air pollution caused by coal burning in ger districts have become deeply entangled with political and institutional dynamics. Despite state-led initiatives such as coal bans and housing programs, the problem persists. Using a political ecology framework, this study examines how power, policy-making, public response, and corruption interact to shape environmental governance. It focuses on three core research questions: (1) How have Mongolia’s political institutions and policy-making processes evolved since the 1990s in addressing environmental issues, particularly air pollution in Ulaanbaatar? (2) How do political dynamics influence environmental policies and development in Mongolia, particularly concerning the air pollution crisis? The thesis argues that while Mongolia’s institutional frameworks provide avenues for environmental action, challenges such as fragmented governance, limited implementation capacity, and corruption undermine policy effectiveness. This analysis contributes to broader discussions on environmental governance in transitional democracies and highlights the need for stronger accountability and participatory mechanisms in Mongolia.