Interview with Shattyk Tastemirova , Deputy Director of the Department of Climate Policy of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The interview was conducted by Alimkhan Abulkhan , Chairman of the youth organization Climate for Us, member of the regional youth network of UNDP Generation Nexus for Climate, Peace, and Security
Editor: Aliya Vedelich, Ecostan News
Alimkhan Abulkhan : Kazakhstan is known for its climate ambitions. Name three specific actions that our country has taken as part of its climate commitments.
Shattyk Tastemirov a : One of the fundamental steps was the adoption in 2023 of a long-term strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This strategic document guides our economy to the fact that decarbonization is necessary, that there is a goal, and, accordingly, it is necessary to take further measures to implement it.
The second is the adoption and updating of key documents, such as NDCs (nationally determined contributions). Along with the adoption of the strategy, in the same year 2023 we updated the NDC, at that time it was called the Updated NDC , or the second generation NDC. The strategy serves as a long-term objective, and the NDC is a medium-term objective.
And thirdly, within the framework of the updated Environmental Code of Kazakhstan, adopted in 2021, the chapter on greenhouse gas regulation was expanded and, for the first time, a chapter on adaptation to climate change was included.
Alimkhan Abulkhan : We are dependent on fossil fuels and we need massive investments in low-carbon infrastructure. Which of these issues are the most critical and what measures to overcome them are expected to be included in the new NDC for the next five years, the so-called NDC 3.0?
Shattyk Tastemirov :As part of the preparation of NDC 3.0, we are faced with the task of defining targets until 2035. If previously the goal was to reduce emissions by 15% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, now it is necessary to revise the goal in the direction of increasing ambition.
We are now working on detailing and defining specific mechanisms for achieving the targets under NDC 3.0. So we are now working closely with the ministries of energy and industry, exactly on how we can achieve our targets.
For example, now, as you know, a new agency for nuclear energy has been created – previously it was a department within the Ministry of Energy. Now we need to hold separate consultations with them. Perhaps other ways to achieve the goal will appear. Here it is important to establish interaction with all sectors and bodies in order to understand what opportunities exist in each of them. Including taking into account Article 6 of the Paris Agreement – perhaps it will also provide additional tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Alimkhan Abulkhan: How is the document on national contributions updated?
Shattyk Tastemirov a:Resources have already been mobilized, a group of experts has been brought in to do the modeling. It is impossible to simply say, “We will increase the target, say, to 50%.” First, we need to do some thorough work: model which sectors and to what extent can reduce emissions, both in the baseline scenario and in a more optimistic one. And only on the basis of these calculations can we make informed decisions.
Alimkhan Abulkhan : Yes, if I am not mistaken, NDC Partnership Kazakhstan (a global coalition to support the implementation of NDCs) reported at one of the meetings that Kazakhstan has become the first country in the Central Asian region that has already mobilized financial resources and experts to create NDC 3.0.
Please tell us how coordination is being built and planned between different ministries (e.g. energy, industry, agriculture, etc.) and departments to achieve the goals of NDC 3.0?
Shattyk Tastemirov a:We have an expert group, which includes representatives of key industry government agencies, as well as our partners. Perhaps you participated: in early December 2024, a meeting of the group in an expanded format was held. We hold such consultations regularly.
In addition, if there are specific sectors to discuss, such as energy or agriculture, we hold separate meetings with sectoral agencies to discuss their contributions and capabilities.
When the document is in preliminary form or the results of the modeling appear, we plan to submit them for consideration by the government, because this is not only a document of the Ministry of Ecology, but an overall commitment of the country.
Alimkhan Abulkhan : It is important for us, the youth and the public, to know how the government and the authorized body plan to involve civil society, academia and youth in the process of preparing, discussing, implementing and monitoring NDC 3.0?
Shattyk Tastemirov :As I already mentioned, resources have now been mobilized, and various organizations are involved in the process, working with specific groups and areas.
For example, UNICEF actively interacts with young people, with their help we want to work out mechanisms for involving young people: how young people can participate in decision-making, be heard – both in climate policy in general and in NDCs.
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is considering an initiative to create a youth environmental council. This work is being carried out by the Department of Environmental Policy.
In addition, we are trying to include youth representatives in the national delegations to the COP (Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – editor’s note). We are trying to ensure that not only government officials, but also young people, the scientific and civil communities participate in climate summits, so that Kazakhstan is represented at various levels.
Alimkhan Abulkhan : It is very interesting about the youth council. Will it deal with climate or environmental policy?
Shattyk Tastemirov a:Environmental. We initially considered the possibility of creating a council focused only on climate, but then came to the conclusion that it would be more logical to make it environmental in general, including the climate agenda, as in the ministry. The order to create the council was announced at the ministerial level, and now colleagues are working out the details and the approval mechanism.
Another important point. In 2026, Kazakhstan will host a regional environmental summit, and we want this summit to have a separate youth wing, separate slots for youth.
We could invite Presidency Youth Climate Champions (youth representatives at the COP presidency). Last year, for example, in Azerbaijan at COP29, Leyla Khasanova represented, in Dubai at COP28 – Shamma Al Mazrouei. I think we could also organize such collaborations.
Despite the fact that the summit is regional, I would like to see youth sessions with a broad geography. The more participants we have from different countries and continents, the better and easier it will be for young people from our region to promote their initiatives and proposals.
Alimkhan Abulkhan : Thank you for the interesting conversation and openness!
Prepared specially for the UNDP Generation Nexus for Climate, Peace, and Security network and Ecostan News
https://lsm.kz/najden-novyj-potencial-kazahstanskoj-zelenoj-energetiki
Machine translated by Google