Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, an upper middle-income country reliant on fossil fuels and among the world’s highest per capita CO₂ emitters, faces mounting climate risks, including environmental degradation, waste pollution, floods and water scarcity. Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in Central Asia, slow improvements in living conditions have contributed to social tensions, challenging progress toward a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

Since 2013, the government has advanced sustainable development objectives through the National Development Strategy Kazakhstan 2050 and the Green Economy Transition Concept, establishing a long-term framework for inclusive growth. Recent milestones include the Carbon Neutrality Strategy 2060, an updated Green Economy Transition Concept and the National Infrastructure Plan 2024-2029, prioritizing energy, transport, water and digitalisation.

Water security has emerged as a defining challenge, driven by dependence on transboundary rivers, outdated infrastructure and inefficient management. In response, the government initiated drafting a new Water Code to strengthen governance and is expanding into blue finance to mobilise private investment for clean water, ecosystem protection and progress toward NDC commitments. These efforts aim to enhance the resilience of water systems, promote sustainable water management, support renewable energy generation, and reduce water pollution—over USD 500 million in green bonds issued in 2024 and a taxonomy adopted in 2022.

Advancing the green economy agenda requires close collaboration with a range of national counterparts, including the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development, the Ministry of National Economy, the Economic Research Institute, the Ministry of Finance, the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms, and the Akimat (Local Administration) Authorities.