Experts of JSC "Economic Research Institute" (ERI) discussed the issues of "green agenda" and achieving carbon neutrality with representatives of the British Embassy in Kazakhstan (Nur-Sultan).

For reference: So far, 51 countries have submitted their carbon-neutral strategies to the UNFCCC. Most of them - until 2050. Kazakhstan, along with China, Australia, Singapore, Ukraine - decided to achieve carbon neutrality until 2060.

The official meeting was held today, June 27.

During the meeting, David Moran, Regional Ambassador of COP26 in Europe, Central Asia, Turkey and Iran, presented the general structure and features of the energy policy of Great Britain.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of ERI Kuanysh Beisengazin spoke about the stages of development of Kazakhstan's strategy for the transition to carbon neutrality and the work of the Institute in this direction.

"Achieving carbon neutrality will create many new opportunities for economic development. Our task is to show these opportunities to all stakeholders," said the ERI expert.

David Moran, in turn, stressed the importance of focusing not only on the risks of transition, but on its positive aspects, and on the example of international experience offered to provide alternative jobs and support programs as part of the transition to carbon neutrality.

"As part of the Paris Agreement, Kazakhstan has committed itself to reducing emissions by 15% of 1990 levels by 2030, which is an ambitious goal. It is possible to increase this figure, and it is already included in the catchment goal - by 25% with international support," said Aydin Bakdolotov, director of ESG ERI Center of Expertise.

«Most models for achieving carbon neutrality show that the more emission reductions a country achieves in the first 10 years, the easier it is thereafter," the ambassador replied.

For reference: In 2020, Kazakhstan's GHG emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride) were 351.2 million CO2-equivalents, down 7.98% or 30.5 million tons of CO2-equivalents from 1990. Compared to 2019, the decrease was 3.7% or 13.4 million tons of CO 2-equivalent. The minimum volume of emissions is in 1999 (235.9 million tons of CO 2-equivalent).

On behalf of the Institute, the meeting was attended by Kuanysh Beisengazin, Deputy Chairman of the ERI Board, Alikhan Abakanov, Deputy Chairman of the ERI Board, Asel Alpysbayeva, Advisor to the Chairman of the ERI Board on the regime, Aidyn Bakdolotov, Director of ESG Expertise Center and Gulmira Kashkinbekova, Senior Expert of ESG Expertise Center.

Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was represented by David Moran, Regional Ambassador of the COP26 for Europe, Central Asia, Turkey and Iran, Selena McGuinness, First Secretary for Economics and Climate Change, and representatives of the Economics and Climate Change Department Bibigul Zhumaguzhina (Prosperity officer) and Gaukhar Junusova (Support officer).

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed on further cooperation in this area.