What Progress Has Kazakhstan Made During The Negotiations?

Starting in 1995, world leaders met annually to discuss climate change policy at the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). From 28 November to December 13, 2023, Dubai held an annual meeting, hosting more than 70,000 participants from all across the globe. This year, the event marked a significant breakthrough regarding the use of fossil fuels and climate finance policy for the loss and damage compensations, which we explained in the previous article.

Kazakhstan announced joining the Global Methane Pledge 

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, declared the country’s plan to sign the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), putting efforts to reduce methane emissions. The Global Methane Pledge was initiated 2 years ago during COP26 in Glasgow to collectively reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. It is agreed that methane is responsible for around 30% of the global warming that has occurred since the Industrial Revolution. Methane is commonly known as a greenhouse with a much higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) than carbon dioxide over a specific time horizon. Over a 20-year period, methane’s GWP is around 84-87 times that of carbon dioxide, and over a 100-year period, it is approximately 28-36 times that of CO₂.

So far more than 100 major methane emitting countries have joined the Pledge, yet the s, soon to be accompanied by the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to International Energy Agency (IEA), Kazakhstan produces approximately 3 719 kt, with a largest source from the energy sector. 

Previously, the United States of America and Kazakhstan made a joint statement to consolidate efforts for the methane reduction (U.S.-Kazakhstan Joint Statement on Accelerating Methane Mitigation to Achieve the Global Methane Pledge). 

This year, a new secretariat for the GMP was launched, adding new members and expanded leadership. Canada, the Federated States of Micronesia, Germany, Japan, and Nigeria joined the United States and European Union as Global Methane Pledge Champions. Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Romania, and Angola joined the Pledge, bringing total participation to 155 governments.

Just Transition

In his speech at COP28, President Tokayev announced Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Just Energy Transition Programme (JETP) from a fossil fuel-based economy. President noticed that implementing mitigating measures should be fair, meaning they have to be addressed in a well-balanced manner. Kazakhstan is pioneering in implementing JETP in Central Asia, aiming to address the significant coal dependence. This initiative reflects the country’s commitment to a fair and equitable shift from fossil fuels, in line with global efforts to tackle social and economic challenges associated with energy transitions.

Regional Context

Kazakhstan, being the largest country in Central Asia, is often referred to as the pioneering state in terms of green ambitions, which is often debated by the initiatives implemented by its regional neighbours. The issues of transboundary water management, sharing the electricity grid and exposure to issues such as desertification and heatwaves, among other climate-related disasters, are shared by all five Central Asian countries, as they deserve attention regarding climate negotiations. This year, Central Asia had its own pavilion prepared by the Central Asian Regional Centre for Environment. It hosted a busy list of capacity-building events and meetings with regional, national and international representatives.

According to UNDP statement on the pitching session, the countries of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – are presenting a common regional position on the most pressing climate issues at the global scale, adopting a cooperative approach: Five countries – one region – one vote. As part of a region vulnerable to the effects of climate change, Central Asian countries are actively participating in the COP28 climate policy negotiations, advocating for joint commitments to reduce emissions, achieve carbon neutrality, and secure access to climate finance for the region.

The USAID project and “KazMunayGas” signed a memorandum on reducing methane emissions.

Another landmark development of COP28 was a collaboration memorandum signed between Tetra Tech ES, Inc., the corporation responsible for implementing the USAID project “Energy in Central Asia,” with the National Company “KazMunayGas.”

According to the memorandum, the USAID project “Energy in Central Asia” and “KazMunayGas” will collaborate to address and reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.

Methane emissions are becoming crucial in discussions about the oil and gas sector. Efforts to reduce methane emissions align with commitments to combat climate change. The USAID project “Energy in Central Asia” is a 5-year regional program aimed at supporting the improvement of the energy sector and the implementation of clean energy in five Central Asian countries.

COP28 successfully served as a platform for multiple treaties signing for the Kazakhstani stakeholders in the sphere of renewable energy

For Kazakhstan, the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC this year has not only hosted a dialogue discussing the implications of the Paris Agreement but also served as a platform for signing an impressive number of treaties for renewable energy power plants and other climate change-related projects. President Tokayev oversaw the signing of ten agreements between government agencies and business entities in Kazakhstan and various countries. Each of these agreements deserves full-extent expertise, but for the reasons of this brief, we will only name a few. Here’s a list of the major treaties:

1. Intergovernmental Agreement between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates on the implementation of a wind power plant project with a capacity of 1 GW.
2. Memorandum between the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, Samruk-Kazyna, and the Ministry of Investment of the United Arab Emirates on mutual understanding for the development of low-carbon energy projects with a total capacity of 10 GW in Kazakhstan.
3. Memorandum of Understanding between Qazaqstan Investment Corporation and ADQ on a strategic partnership.
4. Investment Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan, Aktas Energy LLP, and TotalEnergies for the development, construction, and operation of a wind power plant with a total capacity of 1 GW, including a 300 MW/600 MWh battery energy storage system, near the village of Mirny, Zhambyl region.
5. Agreement between Samruk-Kazyna and ACWA Power for the joint development of a project to construct wind power plants with a total capacity of 1 GW, including an energy storage system.
6. Agreement between Samruk-Kazyna and Presight.AI for the establishment of a joint venture to implement projects in digitalisation and information technology.
7. Agreement on the Principles for establishing a ship repair and shipbuilding enterprise in Kazakhstan between KazMunayGas and AD Ports Group.
8. Agreement between Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Abu Dhabi Ports Group for the establishment of a joint venture.
9. Memorandum of Cooperation between Atameken, SAFC LLP, and SEFE Marketing & Trading for the implementation of forest climate projects.
10. Agreement between Kazatomprom and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation for the supply of natural uranium concentrates.

Conclusion:

Although COP28 did spark bright progress in shaping the climate change policy and the role of carbon in the economy, the major job of delivering the Paris Agreement targets is yet to be observed to provide a sustainable future for the planet for the new generations.