Can Kazakhstan Become Carbon Neutral by 2060?  – The Diplomat

Throughout an April interview with The Astana Occasions, Judy Kuo, chargé d’affaires on the U.S. embassy in Nur-Sultan, mentioned Kazakhstan’s plans to develop into carbon impartial by 2060. Kuo highlighted how “Kazakhstan is blessed with plentiful pure sources which might be important for power” however having the required rules and infrastructure in place is necessary; furthermore “america authorities helps Kazakhstan and Central Asia on this discipline.”

Kazakhstan’s 2060 plan, whereas formidable, is actually achievable, offered the right choices are made and policymakers are honest about attaining the target. As Kuo famous, Nur-Sultan can flip to key allies, like Washington, for help.

In typical Kazakhstani style, Nur-Sultan’s plans have each home and regional dimensions. Parallel to its decarbonization technique, the nation goals to take a number one function in Central Asia relating to the event of recent applied sciences and likewise goals to be a coordinator of fresh know-how.

In November 2021, the nation signed the constitution of the Inexperienced Bridge Partnership Program, and likewise hopes to create a Central Asian Local weather Hub, which is able to “develop a single regional environmental agenda reflecting the mutually useful objectives of reaching sustainable improvement in Central Asia.”

Kazakhstani authorities have acknowledged their willingness to take a number one function within the area within the switch of inexperienced applied sciences and as a coordinator for the event of fresh know-how. Thus, the Central Asian Local weather Hub goals to develop a “single regional environmental agenda” that displays “the mutually useful objectives of reaching sustainable improvement in Central Asia.” With that mentioned, on the time of this writing, Nur-Sultan has not offered additional particulars about when this hub shall be formally established.

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To attain its local weather objectives, in 2021 Kazakhstan launched modifications to its environmental code. Key features of the brand new code embody a chapter on local weather change mitigation and adaptation. GHG emissions discount and carbon neutrality targets have develop into legislation, and a Eurasian Environmental Fund was created, registered by the Astana Worldwide Monetary Middle’s (AIFC) Inexperienced Finance Middle. Moreover, a doctrine for reaching carbon neutrality by 2060 has been developed, which is able to function a worthwhile guideline.

Furthermore, Kazakhstan is at present working to convey its nationwide Emissions Buying and selling System nearer to the European mannequin, which for the time being covers 46 p.c of the nation’s power manufacturing. Kazakhstan has additionally launched its first inexperienced bonds. On September 22, 2021, the Eurasian Growth Financial institution (EDB) efficiently positioned on the Kazakhstan Inventory Change (KASE) a problem of three-year inexperienced bonds for a complete quantity of 20 billion tenge.

Such formidable objectives suggest phasing out using coal by 2050 and increasing the share of renewables to 83 p.c. This goal has challenges, together with lengthy payback intervals for low-carbon investments, a present lack of incentives for the personal sector to go inexperienced, and an absence of funding for inexperienced applied sciences. 

Given the present tense geopolitical local weather within the area as a result of Russian invasion of Ukraine, larger cooperation between Nur-Sultan and Washington will most likely be seen with suspicion by Moscow. However, carbon neutrality is an important goal for humanity, therefore Nur-Sultan must be open to cooperating with prepared companions.

For instance, electrical energy scarcitys are anticipated in Kazakhstan within the upcoming years. Due to this fact, new producing capacities are wanted. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev introduced on the Jap Financial Discussion board-21 that Kazakhstan wants a nuclear energy plant. Whereas it’s not but decided which applied sciences shall be used within the building, it’s value noting that two U.S.-based firms, American NuScale, and the U.S.-Japanese partnership GE-Hitachi Nuclear Power, are among the many six firms bidding to assist Kazakhstan construct a brand new nuclear plant, scheduled for completion by 2035. In her interview, Kuo defined that “if Kazakhstan decides to pursue civilian nuclear power, we consider small modular nuclear energy reactor applied sciences from U.S. firms might play a task” to assist the nation’s rising electrical energy calls for.

Whereas it’s possible that Russia’s Rosatom shall be chosen for the bid, it will be very important if a U.S. firm gained the contract. 

Throughout the U.N. Local weather Summit in December 2020, Tokayev pledged that Kazakhstan will attain carbon neutrality by 2060; it appears that evidently neither the COVID-19 pandemic nor the results of the Russian invasion of Ukraine will change this goal. 

Though there are numerous challenges for Kazakhstan, there may be additionally potential to attain this formidable objective ought to the required insurance policies be efficiently applied. Furthermore, it is going to be crucial for not solely the Kazakhstani management but additionally the final inhabitants, together with decision-makers in key industries, to assist the concept.

Better cooperation between Washington and Nur-Sultan towards reaching carbon neutrality is an intriguing risk. Nur-Sultan is already eager to strengthen diplomatic ties with Washington and appeal to U.S. buyers. Thus, a partnership over carbon neutrality and inexperienced applied sciences between the 2 governments would take Kazakhstan’s multi-vector international coverage to a brand new stage, if it’s also utilized to reaching this environmentally-friendly goal.