Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability

On September 30, 2022, an international seminar in a hybrid format "Decarbonization and the role of hydrogen in Kazakhstan" was held in Almaty with the participation of more than 80 experts (35 in person and 45 online) from Kazakhstan, Russia, Germany, Denmark and the UK. The workshop was organized by the International Scientific-Practical Conference "Energy of the 21st Century", Kazakh-German University, Analytical Center "Energy Aspects of Kazakhstan", and the Institute of Nuclear Physics.

Such goals of Kazakhstan as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to 85% of the 1990 level and achievement of carbon neutrality by 2060, readiness to invest in improving the efficiency of existing and renewable energy sources were emphasized at the event. The draft Doctrine (Strategy) for achieving carbon neutrality in Kazakhstan by 2060 is under finalization and discussion.

Speakers at the seminar included Kazakhstani and international experts:

• Dinmukhamed Kudaibergenov, Managing Director of the Department of Basic Industries and Ecology of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken", spoke about the economic challenges connected with the energy transition.
• Irina Mironova from the European University in St. Petersburg spoke about global trends in the decarbonization of the coal industry.
• Hans Jørgen Koch (former Director General of the Danish Ministry of Energy) and Ralf Dickel (former Director of Transit and Trade at the Energy Charter Secretariat) shared the experiences and challenges of decarbonization processes in the Nordic countries and Germany.
• And others.

Conclusion of the seminar: Kazakhstan's hydrogen program requires clearer goal-setting (as a tool to achieve carbon neutrality or as a product of export), closer connection with the decarbonization strategy, and careful selection of export directions.

International seminar in a hybrid format "Decarbonization in Kazakhstan and Energy Cooperation in Central Asia" was held on February 16, 2023, at DKU.

Organizers of the seminar: International scientific conference "Energy of the 21st century: economy, politics, ecology", Kazakh-German University (DKU) and Analytical Center "Energy aspects of Kazakhstan" (EAKZ)

The seminar included an in-depth discussion of the following topics: scenarios for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of hydrogen in Kazakhstan, the comparative advantages of building a nuclear power plant, and ways to decarbonize the heating industry. Opportunities for cooperation with other countries of Central Asia were also considered: with the different energy resources, the states of Central Asia could benefit from cooperation and the exchange of experiences.

Speakers at the event included:

• Sandeep Koli, Chief Energy Specialist, World Bank
• Mr. Jaslan Kasenov, Director, Department of Atomic Energy and Industry, Ministry of Energy
• Almaz Abildaev, Director of Analytical Center "Energy aspects of Kazakhstan"
• Michael Sipos, Independent Expert
• Sergey Yelkin, Central Asia Energy Projects Coordinator, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
• Ralph Dickel, Independent Expert
• Alexander Belyi, Low Carbon Development and Energy Efficiency Expert.