A seminar on «National commitments of Kazakhstan to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 2021-2030» was held in Astana in the conference hall of the «Rixos President Astana» hotel in October 12, 2015. The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan jointly with the Research and Education Center «Green Academy» with the support of the EU Delegation in Kazakhstan, and the Office of the OSCE programs in Astana organized the event.
The seminar was held to present the national obligations of the Republic of Kazakhstan to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases for a new climate agreement and make suggestions for improving the legislative framework of emissions regulation.
The seminar was attended by deputies of the Kazakh Parliament - members of the Committee on Ecology and Nature Management, the employees of the Majilis, heads and representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the Committee of Forestry and Fauna of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of innovative development, diplomatic missions of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries accredited in Kazakhstan, the World Bank, UNDP, GIZ, USAID, the Higher School of Economics (Russian Federation), Kazakhstan Association of Oil-Gas and Energy Sector Organizations «KAZENERGY», Kazakhstan Electricity Association, the Eurasian Industrial Association, Kapoor and other associations, independent experts and NGOs. A total of 50 people attended the seminar.
Energy Minister of Kazakhstan Vladimir Shkolnik made the opening of the seminar. In his speech he noted that Kazakhstan contributes to the retention of the growth rate of global climate change by setting an absolute target of 15% and a conditional target of 25% by 2030 from the 1990 level at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in December this year in Paris. Implementation of these commitments requires the adoption of comprehensive measures to "purify" the national economy from carbon by decarbonization of the economy, introduction of innovative "green" technologies and the development of the carbon market.
In his speech, Head of the EU Delegation in Kazakhstan Traian Hristea said that the adoption of a new global agreement, which should be the proper response to calls for the fight against climate change is expected to be releasedsoon,and expressed the hope that the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev will take part in the 21st conference on climate change in Paris.The head of the OSCE Office programs inAstana N. Zarudnaya noted in her speech the importance of Kazakhstan's National commitments. National commitments of Kazakhstan show the responsibility of the country to the international community in the struggle to curb the pace of global climate change.
The seminar was held under the moderating by a member of the Council for "green" economy under the President, the Director of SEC "Green Academy", Doctor of Economics and Professor B. Yessekina.
During the seminar, participants learned about the preparations for the new climate agreement and national commitments on emissions of greenhouse gases. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of France in the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. F. Etienne, and director of the Center for Environmental Economics and Natural Resources of Higher School of Economics (Russian Federation) G. Safonov presented reports on these issues.The Deputy General Director of JSC "Zhasyl damu" S. Tsoy and CEO of the Executive Committee of the Kazakhstan Association of Oil-Gas and Energy Sector Organizations «KAZENERGY» A. Magauov made presentations on the state and prospects of development of the emissions trading system and proposals for the implementation of business INDC in Kazakhstan.
The seminar had a constructive exchange of views, following which recommendations to improve the legislation on the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and adaptation to climate change were adopted.
Translated into English by Roman Klyukin
Source: http://www.green-academy.kz/