On January 23–24, 2025, the Expert Seminar titled “Priorities for Developing a Roadmap for Kazakhstan’s Carbon Neutrality” was held at the RIXOS Hotel Borovoe in Borovoe. The event was organized by the Research and Educational Center “Green Academy” in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with support from GIZ and the SIPA/IDDRI project.
The seminar aimed to discuss the draft Roadmap for implementing the Strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and to develop recommendations for the Government of Kazakhstan.
The event was held in a hybrid format and brought together leaders and representatives from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Industry and Construction, the European Union, the World Bank, SIPA/IDDRI, GIZ, the EBRD, UCA, Kazenergy, ERI, ESG Trend, and other organizations.
During the opening session on the first day, welcoming remarks were delivered by: Yerlan Nysanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Andrei Mikhnev, World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan, Johannes Baur, Head of the Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, Manuel Andres, Head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office, GIZ.
The first day’s session was moderated by: Dr. Bakhyt Yessekina, Member of the Council on Green Economy under the President of Kazakhstan and Director of the Green Academy, Zhandos Nurmaganbetov, General Director of the Kazenergy Association.
Presentations included:
Dr. Georgy Safonov, Senior Expert, SIPA/IDDRI (France) (Experience in Developing Carbon Neutrality Implementation Plans in OECD Countries);
Kuanysh Beysengazin, Head of the Project Office, MERN (Approaches to Developing the Roadmap for Implementing Kazakhstan’s Carbon Neutrality Strategy);
Dr. Seitgali Galiyev, Head of the Mining Systemology Department, D. Kunayev Institute of Mining (Digital Technologies for Emission Reduction in Kazakhstan’s Mining Sector);
Elena Arkhangelskaya, Head of Multilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Energy (Prospects for the Development of Alternative Energy in Kazakhstan);
Nurzhan Kabdoldanov, Deputy Chairman, JSC “Zhasyl Damu,” MERN (Directions for Improving Kazakhstan’s Emissions Trading System (ETS));
Jan-Willem van de Ven, Head of International Climate Policy and Engagement, EBRD, and Dmitry Golubovsky, EBRD Senior Expert (Recommendations for Improving the ETS Considering COP-29);
Marat Kalmenov, Director, Energy Policy and Efficiency Development Department, Kazenergy (Priorities for Enhancing Energy Efficiency Regulations);
Dauren Sharipov, Director, RSE KazStandard (Standardization and Certification for Carbon Regulation);
Aigul Zhumadilova, CEO, ESG Trend (The Role of Emission Certification for Article 6 Implementation);
Natalia Bochinskaya, Development Director, Chapter ZERO Kazakhstan *Carbon Neutrality Roadmap: Summary of Day 1)
.
The second day’s session began with welcoming remarks from: Murat Temirzhanov, Chairman of the Land Resources Management Committee, Ministry of Agriculture, Maciej Madalinski, Head of Political Section, EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, Peline Atamer, Head of Sustainable Infrastructure and Green Growth, OECD.
The session was moderated by Aizhan Karabayeva, Project Coordinator, FAO.
Presentations included:
Manuel Andres, Head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office, Astana (Prospects for Green Hydrogen in Kazakhstan);
Dr. Oleg Pluzhnikov, Leading Expert, Carbon Strategies (UK) (Developing the National Plan for Implementing Article 6.4);
Maurizio Guadagni, International Specialist, FAO (The Role of Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use in Achieving Carbon Neutrality);
Dosym Kadirbayev and Stuart Bowlin, Rakurs Consulting Group/Rakurs Tech (Carbon Credits as Catalytic Financing for Sustainable Transition).
Participants in the discussion included S. Ponomarev (Member of the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Management, Mazhilis of Parliament), D .Akhmetov (USAID Project), M. Dzhunusova (UCA), R. Ospanov (Shell), and others.
Following the discussions, a draft set of recommendations was adopted. These recommendations aim to enhance the Roadmap development process by promoting decarbonization, developing renewable energy sources and green hydrogen, strengthening the ETS, and introducing carbon farming mechanisms.
Key barriers identified included:
Lack of coordination among stakeholders;
Absence of incentives for companies to decarbonize;
Insufficient level of validation and verification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The seminar attracted over 80 participants from government agencies, the expert community, businesses, and NGOs. The draft recommendations will be submitted to the Government of Kazakhstan.
Recording of the first day: https://drive.google.com/…/1OFlQYB5HzRdNWCCFzVMEb8UpNz7…
Recording of the second day: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MqVInwRzxD-XsF9FM7gPYL6alhECLT3_?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3E3sm8pBkjlH921gfdzYoAma5Pvtb-SfzAAeQ4bL13wJkLBZLqwAqGXIc_aem_0IBN8Bzl1ee8c-3eB9eFqg
