Kazakh Government’s Exploration of Territorial Possibilities for Sustainable Economy

The Kazakh Government recently held a council meeting to discuss the transition to a green economy, with a focus on achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and reducing energy intensity. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired the meeting, which highlighted the draft plan measures to fulfill the green economy targets.

At the meeting, mayors from various regions in Kazakhstan reported on the measures taken to protect the environment. Positive results were seen in the North Kazakhstan Region, where renewable energy sources totaling 70.3 megawatts have been implemented. Additionally, biomass boilers powered by plant-based fuel have been installed, providing energy to budget institutions and saving nearly 260 million tenge.

In the Akmola Region, enterprise emissions decreased by 96% in 2023 compared to 2021, with 74% of the region’s electric power industry now coming from green energy sources. The Zhambyl Region is working on plans to repair 257 water bodies by 2025 to ensure efficient use of water resources, especially from the transboundary rivers Talas and Shu.

Over the past decade, Kazakhstan has been actively transitioning to a green economy, with renewable energy accounting for 4.5% of the energy mix. The recycling rate of production waste has reached 25% and consumption has reached 39%. Implementing the best available techniques in industrial and agricultural sectors has been key to achieving the goals of the green economy concept.

Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized the importance of developing mechanisms for green lending and issuing green bonds to provide financial support for environmentally friendly projects. These initiatives will play a crucial role in the country’s efforts to transition to a more sustainable economy.