On February 15, 2018 was held the Workshop of the theme „Methodology and mechanisms for transition of Astana city to low-carbon development”, organized by Akimat of Astana city jointly with Scientific Research and Education Center „Green Academy” by support ofrepresentations of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Asian Development Bank in Kazakhstan.
The purpose of this Workshop is to highlight the development of the Low-Carbon Development Strategy of Astana city (LCDSA) and discuss the implementation mechanisms under the Paris Climate Agreement.
The moderator of the event was the Director of SREC „Green Academy”, Member of the „green economy” Council under the President of the RK, Dr. Bakhyt Yessekina.
The workshop was opened by Deputy Akim of Astana city Mr. Kosman Aytmuhametov. In particular, he noted that climate change creates a great threat to normal life of the city.In this regard, akimat of the city decided to develop strategic measures to reduce greenhouse gas and waste emissions, improve energy efficiency and ensure environmental education of the population for the long term. Working groups have been created under the akimat, each of which has its own line of work, including the development of a strategy for transition of Astana city to low-carbon development. At present, the working groups have started to work.
The welcoming speech was also made by Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Zulfukhar Zholdasov, representative of Asian Development Bank Mrs. Na Von Kim, member of Presidium of the Association of Ecological Organizations of Kazakhstan Ms. Saltanat Rakhimbekova.The speakers noted the importance of developing a low-carbon strategy for the city within the framework of the transition of the Republic of Kazakhstan to low-carbon development, financial and expert assistance from international organizations, and broad participation of civil society in decisions and projects.
Participants of the workshop — members of the working group of the Akimat of Astana city on working out a low-carbon development strategy, representatives of central and local government bodies, international organizations, business, non-governmental organizations, scientists and experts, introduced the current trends and approaches on transition to low-carbon development. According to experts, the main tasks in fighting with climate change are adaptation of new tools for assessing the city’s carbon potential and developing practical measures to mitigate climate risks.
Presentations on planning and investment financing, methodology of low-carbon strategy and emission control directions on the blockchain platform, economic instruments for the development of a low-carbon strategy, indicators of the Agreement of Mayors of the EU cities were made by: Mr. Frederiс Asseline, Specialist of Department on Sustainable Development and Climate, ADB, Dr. Georgy Safonov, Director of the Center of Higher School of Economics, Russian Federation, Mr. Thomas Helm, Head of Representative Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Kazakhstan, Mr. Pavel Victor, Director of JSC „OCTANTSp.zo.o” (Poland).
Based on the results of the workshop, were given recommendations to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Management of the Akimat of Astana city on creation with the support of ADB of an expert group of international and national experts to develop a methodology for the Low-Carbon Development Strategy of Astana city, to organize, together with the city Maslikhat of Astana city to hold public hearings on the discussion of the draft of the Astana Integrated Plan for 2018-2021, including the issues on development of Low-Carbon Development Strategy of Astana city.
