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.
