Against the backdrop of global climate change and international commitments to reduce greenhouse gases, carbon farming is becoming a strategic direction for the development of the agricultural sector. Kazakhstan’s climate policy provides for a reduction in emissions to 325 million tons of CO₂ by 2030, which will require the active participation of the agricultural sector, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

Agriculture is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Kazakhstan — about 33 million tons of CO₂ equivalent (9.3% of total national emissions). The main emissions are methane from livestock farming and nitrous oxide from fertilizers. Meanwhile, with proper management, soil is capable of not only not emitting, but also accumulating carbon. The land use and forestry sector used to be a carbon sink, but has now become a source — more than 4.1 million tons of CO₂. However, in the same year, emissions decreased by 11.9%, which indicates the potential for proper management.

For the successful development of carbon farming in Kazakhstan, a systemic model of carbon management in agroecosystems is needed. In accordance with the instructions of the head of state to ensure climate stability and achieve carbon neutrality of the Republic of Kazakhstan by 2060, the National Academy of Sciences is creating the first carbon “mirror” agroclimatic polygon “Kaz Agro Carbon” in Kazakhstan, where the Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences will act as a partner. The carbon polygon will be located in the steppe zone of Kazakhstan on the basis of the A.I. Barayev Scientific and Production Center for Grain Farming LLC.

The Kaz Agro Carbon agroclimatic testing ground will become an effective platform for measuring, modeling, forecasting and managing the carbon balance and greenhouse gases. Scientists from the two countries will develop and test technologies to reduce emissions and increase carbon dioxide absorption in various ecosystems of Northern Kazakhstan to achieve climate goals.

https://www.nur.kz/society/2276511-nacionalnaya-akademiya-nauk-pri-prezidente-rk-vpervye-v-kazahstane-sozdaet-karbonovyy-agroklimaticheskiy-poligon/

Climate Change & Sustainable Energy