Kazakhstan takes major step towards a sustainable future by adopting the carbon neutrality strategy 2060. This strategic decision, made through Presidential Decree in February, lays the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future for the country. The Strategy outlines a comprehensive plan to reduce carbon emissions, promote low-carbon development, and encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources. PAGE contributed to the development of the Strategy with the help of international and national PAGE experts. This Strategy aims to assess the volume of necessary investments for a gradual reduction in consumption by the country’s economy. As part of its implementation, the state will provide a favorable investment climate conducive to the processes of decarbonization of economic sectors, modernization of enterprises and support for the socially vulnerable population. A roadmap for the decarbonization of all sectors of the economy will be adopted.
02 February 2023
Major step towards Carbon Neutrality in Kazakhstan
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
The goal of the strategy is to balance the amount of carbon dioxide that the country emits with the amount it removes from the atmosphere. The medium-term goal of the Strategy is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030 compared to the level of emissions in 1990 and bring the reduction up to 25%, subject to receiving additional international support for decarbonization of the economy.
Decarbonization will require a deep transformation of the energy system currently largely depending on coal. According to the strategy, achieving carbon neutrality will require a total investment of USD 610 billion, with more than half of this investment coming from redirecting existing investments from traditional industries to greener ones. The remaining USD 223.7 billion will come from new investment sources. Decarbonizing the economy is estimated to save 9.335 billion tons of CO2e cumulatively with the reduction cost of USD 65.4 per tonne of CO2e.
Just transition
The principles of Just Transition embedded into the strategy ensure that people who lose their jobs due to the energy transition must have social guarantees and the opportunity to retrain for employment in new low-emission industries. The Strategy is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s environment, economy, and society, promoting sustainable growth and improving the quality of life for all citizens.
PAGE contribution
The government of Kazakhstan is confident that this strategy will help the country achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2060 and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future. PAGE contributed to finalization of several chapters of the Carbon Neutrality Strategy 2060 and facilitate stakeholders on the draft.
As part of the Strategy implementation, PAGE is currently engaged in two important assessments aimed at developing a detailed review of the social and economic issues related to changing the structure of the energy system. The first assessment focused on risk and opportunities for coal phase out in Kazakhstan, while the second assessment focuses on the risk and opportunities for a just transition.
Commitment to a greener future
This initiative is in line with the global effort to tackle climate change and highlights Kazakhstan’s commitment to a greener future. Implementation of the strategy will be a collaborative effort between the government, businesses, and citizens, and will require a concerted effort to promote sustainable development and reduce carbon emissions.
PAGE and Kazakhstan
PAGE work in Kazakhstan is aiming to contribute to the following SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) – through a focus on waste management and related energy and emission related challenges and opportunities; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) – through a focus on BATs.
PAGE is a joint initiative of UNIDO, ILO, UNEP, UNDP and UNITAR that supports 22 countries in shaping inclusive and green economy policy and practice. Kazakhstan joined PAGE in 2018.