Exploring Sustainable Economic Development in Kazakhstan: A Focus on Green Initiatives
Kazakh Government Focuses on Transition to Green Economy for Balanced Regional Development
The Kazakh Government recently convened a council meeting to discuss measures for transitioning to a green economy in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and reduce energy intensity. Chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the meeting focused on the draft plan measures to fulfill the green economy targets, as reported by the Prime Minister’s press service on June 27.
During the meeting, mayors of the country’s regions reported on the measures implemented to protect the environment. The North Kazakhstan Region showed positive results by utilizing renewable energy, with 174 sources totaling 70.3 megawatts (MW) in the region. Additionally, 125 biomass boilers powered by plant-origin fuel have been installed, providing energy to 80 budget institutions and saving nearly 260 million tenge (US$559,008).
In the Akmola Region, enterprise emissions were reported to be 96% lower in 2023 compared to 2021. Green energy accounts for 74% of the entire volume in the region’s electric power industry. The Zhambyl Region also shared plans to repair 257 water bodies by 2025 to ensure efficient use of water resources, with the main irrigation water volume sourced from transboundary rivers Talas and Shu.
Kazakhstan has been actively implementing the concept of transitioning to a green economy for over a decade, resulting in a rise in the country’s renewable energy share to 4.5%. The recycling rate of production waste has reached 25%, while consumption stands at 39%. The adoption of the best available techniques by industrial and agricultural enterprises has proven to be one of the most effective tools for achieving the goals of the green economy concept.
Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized the importance of developing mechanisms for providing financial support for environmentally friendly projects, such as green lending and the issuance of green bonds. These initiatives will play a key role in furthering the country’s commitment to transitioning to a sustainable and environmentally friendly economy.
