CLIMATE DIALOGUE: COP-28 AND ACTION PLAN

On January 26-27, 2024, the Research and Education Center «Green Academy», together with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the SECCA project (EU), USAID, and OECD/SIPA, conducted a Round Table discussion aimed at discussing the outcomes of the 28th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP-28) and developing proposals for the Implementation Plan of the Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality of the Republic of Kazakhstan by 2060.

The event, held in a hybrid format, was attended by representatives of central government agencies: Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Industry and Construction, Ministry of Trade and Integration, Ministry of Agriculture; international organizations such as the EU Delegation, EBRD, USAID, OECD (SIPA), GIZ, UNDP, the U.S. Embassy, the Public Chamber of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, CAREC, D. Kunayev Institute of Mining, Eurasian National University named after L.N. Gumilyov, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications named after Gumarbek Daukeyev, RSE «KazStandard», JSC «Zhasyl Damu», JSC «Institute of Economic Research», NCE «Atameken», JSC «KTZ», international and national experts, NGOs, and business structures.

The event was moderated by Dr. Bakhyt Yessekina, Member of the Green Council under President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Director of the REC «Green Academy». Welcoming remarks to the seminar participants were delivered by Abzal Abdykarimov, Vice Minister of National Economy of the RK, Erlan Akkenzhenov, Vice Minister of Energy of the RK, and Azat Sultanov, Vice Minister of Agriculture of the RK.

The following presentations were delivered:

Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation of EU Delegation in the RK (online) (COP outcome: CBAM integration perspectives);

Turar Zhalmagambetov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Industry of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the RK (Directions for improving energy efficiency in industrial sectors of Kazakhstan);

Alma Zhukenova, Deputy Director of the Department of RES of the Ministry of Energy of the RK (Prospects for RES development in Kazakhstan in light of COP-28 decisions);

Iskander Khamitov, Deputy Director of KAZSTANDART under the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the RK (online) (Low-carbon development standards and preparation for CBAM).

Askar Ementayev, Managing Director of «Zhasyl Damu» JSC (Implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Kazakhstan);

Rodrigo Chaparro, Climate Change Director, USAID «Power Central Asia» (online) (Article 6 and recommendations for establishing an Article 6 Office in Kazakhstan);

Russell Kuik, Expert at «South Pole», Singapore (online) (Role of Article 6.2 in decarbonizing the economy);

Paata Janelidze, Key Expert of the EU project «Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia» (SECCA) (COP-28 and directions for implementing Article 6.4);

Dmitriy Golubovsky, EBRD, Lead Expert (оnline) (Recommendations for improving Kazakhstan’s ETS considering COP outcomes).

Aigul Zhumadilova, CEO of «ESG TREND» LLP, (Issues of certification and the National Standard in the field of greenhouse gas emissions);

Dana Shukurbayeva, Director of «ESG KZ» LLP, (Enhancing youth potential in climate adaptation);

George Safonov, Deputy Director of EFI (Finland)/OECD SIPA Project (OECD experience in methane reduction);

Yegor Zbrodko, Energy Sector Specialist, USAID «Power Central Asia» (USAID experience in methane reduction and calculation);

Kuanysh Beysengazin, Deputy Head of the ERI under the Ministry of National Economy of the RK (Mechanisms for methane emission reduction in Kazakhstan (with SECCA support);

Dosym Kydyrbayev, Stuart Bowlin, Rakurs Consulting Group/Rakurs Tech (Kazakhstan’s Nature-Based Future: De-risking the Carbon Economy Through Regional Collaboration, Transparency, and High-Integrity Initiatives.);

Manuel Andres, Head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office, Astana (Decarbonization through green hydrogen: prospects and activities in Kazakhstan).

The discussion involved: Marat Koshumbaev, Professor of the Department of Heat Engineering at the S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Ph.D., Evgeny Pushchik, Deputy General Director for Project Development at «BioOperations» LLP, Ph.D. Professor Seitgali Galiev, Head of the Institute of Mining named after D. Kunayev’s laboratory, Aigul Daribaeva, Director of CAB at «Green Academy» REC, Nuray Satimov, Head of the CAREC country office in Kazakhstan, Candidate of Technical Sciences Ayzhan Skakova, Expert of the Public Chamber of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Eldana Aubakirova, Chief Manager of the Technical Policy Department at «KTZ» JSC, Expert of the Department of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the RK, Elena Arkhangelskaya, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Energy of the RK, and others.

At the end of the round table, the participants discussed a draft of recommendations to the Government for the Action Plan to achieve carbon neutrality in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Materials of the Round table: https://disk.yandex.kz/d/ihnRB7Pc9-5IWg