As is known, the Declaration of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-28) has outlined priorities for achieving carbon neutrality, among which the most important are assessing progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and addressing climate finance and planning issues. In this regard, the Research and Education Center «Green Academy», in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and with the support of the EU, the SECCA project, USAID, EBRD, and OECD/SIPA, held the «COP-28: outcome and recommendations to Kazakhstan» Round Table discussion on January 26-27 of this year (Borovoe, RIXOS hotel) to discuss the outcomes of COP and develop proposals for the Implementation Plan of the Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in Kazakhstan by 2060.

The event was attended by representatives of government agencies, the EU, EBRD, USAID, OECD/SIPA, GIZ, international and national experts, scientists, NGOs, and businesses.

On the first day, the moderator was Dr. Bakhyt Yessekina, Member of the Green Council under President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Director of the REC «Green Academy». In a hybrid format, discussions were held on energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, standards, Article 6, and ETS. The following speakers presented reports in the first half of the day:

• Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation of EU Delegation in the RK (online) (COP outcome: CBAM integration perspectives);
• Turar Zhalmagambetov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Industry of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the RK (Directions for improving energy efficiency in industrial sectors of Kazakhstan);
• Alma Zhukenova, Deputy Director of the Department of RES of the Ministry of Energy of the RK (Prospects for RES development in Kazakhstan in light of COP-28 decisions);
• Iskander Khamitov, Deputy Director of KAZSTANDART under the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the RK (online) (Low-carbon development standards and preparation for CBAM).

The second half of the program was dedicated to discussing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and its implementation opportunities in Kazakhstan. The following speakers presented reports:

• Askar Ementayev, Managing Director of «Jasyl damu» JSC (Implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Kazakhstan);
• Rodrigo Chaparro, Climate Change Director, USAID «Power Central Asia» (online) (Article 6 and recommendations for establishing an Article 6 Office in Kazakhstan);
• Russell Kuik, Expert at «South Pole», Singapore (online) (Role of Article 6.2 in decarbonizing the economy);
• Paata Janelidze, Key Expert of the EU project «Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia» (SECCA) (COP-28 and directions for implementing Article 6.4);
• Dmitriy Golubovsky, EBRD, Lead Expert (оnline) (Recommendations for improving Kazakhstan’s ETS considering COP outcomes).

Additionally, presentations were made on certification and the first National Standard for СО₂ by the director of «ESG TREND» LLP, Aigul Zhumadilova, and on enhancing youth potential in climate adaptation by the director of «ESG KZ» LLP, Dana Shukurbayeva.

During the discussion on the first day’s program, active participation was observed from Marat Koshumbaev, Professor of the Department of Heat Power Engineering at the S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Ph.D., Evgeny Pushchik, Deputy General Director for Project Development at «BioOperations» LLP, George Safonov, Deputy Director of EFI (Finland)/OECD SIPA Project, Seitgali Galiev, Head of the Institute of Mining named after D. Kunayev’s laboratory, Aigul Daribaeva, Director of CAB at «Green Academy» REC, Dosym Kydyrbayev, Rakurs Consulting Group/Rakurs Tech, Aigul Jumadilova, Director of «ESG Trend», Nuray Satimov, Head of the CAREC country office in Kazakhstan, and others.

The second day of the Round Table was dedicated to methane reduction, decarbonization through green hydrogen, and creating a decarbonized future for Kazakhstan. The moderator was Yulia Yakupbayeva, Chairperson of the ESG and SDG Council under the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the RK. The following speakers presented reports:

• Dr. George Safonov, Deputy Director of EFI (Finland)/OECD SIPA Project (OECD experience in methane reduction);
• Yegor Zbrodko, Energy Sector Specialist, USAID «Power Central Asia» (USAID experience in methane reduction and calculation);
• Kuanysh Beysengazin, Deputy Head of the ERI under the Ministry of National Economy of the RK (Mechanisms for methane emission reduction in Kazakhstan (with SECCA support);
• Dosym Kydyrbayev, Stuart Bowlin, Rakurs Consulting Group/Rakurs Tech (Kazakhstan’s Nature-Based Future: De-risking the Carbon Economy Through Regional Collaboration, Transparency, and High-Integrity Initiatives.);
• Manuel Andres, Head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office, Astana (Decarbonization through green hydrogen: prospects and activities in Kazakhstan).

As a result of the Round Table, participants discussed a draft set of recommendations for the Government of Kazakhstan on the action plan for achieving carbon neutrality.

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