On September 6, 2024, a Round Table discussion on the topic “COP-29: Legislation to Artiсle 6 and Recommendations to Kazakhstan” was held at the Central Office of the Amanat Party in Astana. The event was organized by the Research and Educational Center “Green Academy,” in collaboration with the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Management of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and with the support of the SIPA/OECD project.

The purpose of the event was to discuss the COP-29 agenda and the prospects for developing an Action Plan for Article 6 as part of achieving Kazakhstan’s Carbon Neutrality Strategy.

Participants included members of the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Management of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, heads of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Industry and Construction, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ecological Council of the Amanat Party, as well as international organizations such as the EU, EBRD, the CCI France Kazakhstan, the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development, SIPA/OECD, international and national experts, NGOs, and business entities. The event was held in a hybrid format.

The opening remarks were delivered by Arman Kalykov, a member of the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Management of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Nurlan Kurmalaev, Vice-Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The moderator of the event was Dr. Bakhyt Yessekina, a member of the Council on Green Economy under the President of Kazakhstan and Director of the “Green Academy” REC.

Presentations were made by:

Maciej Adam Madalinski, Deputy Ambassador of the European Union to Kazakhstan (JETP and recommendations to Kazakhstan);

Georgy Safonov, SIPA OECD/EFI Project Expert (Article 6 and tools for cooperation in Central Asia on carbon neutrality);

Talgat Karashev, Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Energy of the RK (Directions of the GMP implementation in Kazakhstan);

Turar Zholmagambetov, Deputy Head of the Committee of Industry of the MIC of the RK (Energy-efficiency rising in industrial sectors of the Kazakhstan);

Oleg Pluzhnikov, Advisor of the Perspectives LtD (Vietnam Experience on development of the National Plan under Article 6).

After reviewing the presentations by national and international experts, the Round Table participants made the following recommendations:

Given the directives of President K. Tokayev of Kazakhstan on improving emissions monitoring, as mentioned in the President’s Address to the Nation, and the need to develop a Roadmap for the implementation of the Carbon Neutrality Strategy, it is recommended that the government:

1.1 Integrate carbon neutrality measures into regional socio-economic development strategies and plans.

1.2 Modernize the existing system for inventorying key sources of greenhouse gas emissions and absorptions at the sectoral level, as included in the National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Plan, by introducing digital technologies.

1.2 Incorporate accountability norms and certification requirements for carbon market participants into the current validation and verification rules for emissions and the corresponding provisions of the Environmental Code.

1.4 In preparation for the COP-29 negotiations, to be held in Baku in November 2024 under the UNFCCC, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Management and with the support of international organizations, should develop regulatory frameworks and an Action Plan for Article 6.

1.5 To implement this article, jointly with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, a portfolio of investment projects should be developed in accordance with international criteria:

• To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in key industries;

• To increase CO2 absorption by forest lands and ecosystems.

1.6 For the implementation of Articles 51-60 of the Environmental Code of Kazakhstan on the introduction of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) mechanisms into the strategic planning system, it is recommended to engage the UNECE and OECD to conduct training workshops and seminars for the heads of central and local authorities, taking into account carbon regulation and climate policy approaches.

email: info@green-academy.kz