Kazakhstan scales back funding for clean air initiatives
Aiming for a Greener Kazakhstan: Navigating the Path Towards Cleaner Air and Water
Kazakhstan is taking strides to improve its environment, but the journey isn't without its challenges. With the climate cry for cleaner air, cleaner water, and fewer harmful emissions resonating across the nation, it's time to examine the nation's progress and future plans.
While it may seem that funding for ecology is on a downturn, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of RK, a substantial sum will still be allocated to environmental improvements in Kazakhstan. The Ministry's report states that from 2025 to 2027, 384 million tenge will be spent. However, the allocation for this year is set at 223 million, gradually diminishing to 100 and 60 million for the following years. This decline stems from the record 2.2 billion tenge that was allocated in 2024.
Despite the budget reduction, the ambitions are high. The Ministry of Ecology aims to decrease air emissions from the current 4.28 million tons to 4.26 million tons and water pollution from 2.35 to 2.33 million tons. Though it may seem like a small step on a national scale, it's a positive move towards a cleaner future.
By 2026, the officials hope that nearly three-quarters of dangerous waste will be under control. Additionally, funds will be specifically allocated to combat greenhouse gases, totaling approximately 800 million tenge. These funds will contribute to emission checks, carbon quota trading, and other "environmental accounting" initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 88% of the 1990 level by 2027.
It's important to note that the most polluted region in terms of air quality is the Pavlodar region, which contributes almost a third of the nation's emissions. The Karaganda region follows closely, and the Aktobe region takes third place. The East Kazakhstan region is also a concern due to the constant high pollution levels caused by large enterprises in the non-ferrous metallurgy and energy sectors, particularly in Ust-Kamenogorsk, where industrial emissions consistently surpass permissible norms.
Industrial enterprises, particularly those in the energy, metallurgy, and mining sectors, remain the main contributors to air pollution throughout the country. The share of pollution from transport and warehouse activities is only around 5%. The situation is particularly severe in Temirtau, a city with a significant metallurgical production. Concerns over air pollution in the city have been echoed by both ecologists and local residents for quite some time.
In the larger context, Kazakhstan's initiatives to reduce pollution and emissions involve renewable energy integration, the adoption of advanced technologies, and policy and regulatory changes to enforce pollution control and promote sustainable practices. While detailed funding allocations and plans for air and water pollution reduction, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, are not specified in the available information, Kazakhstan is undeniably engaged in broader sustainability efforts.
Though you'll find more insights on Almaty's risk of becoming an ecological disaster, environmental department sentencings, and bribery cases in our related articles, our main focus here is Kazakhstan's vibrant quest for a greener future. The challenges may be many, but with resolute determination and strategic planning, Kazakhstan is well on its way to leaving a cleaner, healthier world for future generations.
Further Reading:
- Ecological Resilience in Almaty: An Interview with Alexei Ivanov
- Kairat Mukhamedzhanov: A Sentencing Tale
- Exploring the Unseen Side of Kazakhstan's Environmental Departments
- Despite the allocated budget reduction for ecology, the Ministry of Ecology in Kazakhstan aims to regularly decrease air emissions and water pollution, setting targets of 4.26 million tons and 2.33 million tons respectively.
- The Pavlodar region in Kazakhstan is the most polluted region in terms of air quality, contributing almost a third of the nation's emissions, closely followed by the Karaganda region and the Aktobe region.
- A substantial amount of pollution in Kazakhstan comes from industrial enterprises, particularly those in the energy, metallurgy, and mining sectors, with transport and warehouse activities accounting for only around 5%.
- Kazakhstan's initiatives to reduce pollution and emissions include integrating renewable energy, adopting advanced technologies, and enforcing pollution control through policy and regulatory changes to promote sustainable practices.
- In the context of climate change, the Ministry of Ecology in Kazakhstan will allocate approximately 800 million tenge to combat greenhouse gases, contributing to emission checks, carbon quota trading, and other "environmental accounting" initiatives.
- The finance sector will play a crucial role in Kazakhstan's efforts to combat environmental pollution, as funds are needed for implementing these strategies and achieving the country's vision of cleaner air, water, and energy production.
