LocationsJust transition to a green economy: The IV ECOJER Congress presents solutions
October 22, 2024
The IV International ECOJER Congress and the Transition ceremony of the PAGE (UN Partnership for Action on Green Economy) Partnership took place in the capital of Kazakhstan, marking important events focused on the country's sustainable development. The congress gathered members of the Government of Kazakhstan, representatives of state authorities, business leaders, and representatives of international organizations.
According to Lazzat Ramazanova, Chairperson of the ECOJER Association Council, Kazakhstan has already taken steps to transform its economy and move away from fossil fuels.
"Yes, it is a challenge, but this path guarantees sustainable economic growth and a high quality of life. Foreign investment must be channeled exclusively into green projects in the coming years. This is an opportunity for Kazakhstan to take a leading role in Central Asia by successfully balancing environmental care with economic benefits,"said Lazzat Ramazanova.
The participants emphasized that achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 requires modernizing energy infrastructure and implementing the concept of a "just transition." Kazakhstan actively cooperates with international financial organizations, focusing on assessing the environmental and social impact of energy projects and attracting investment in green technologies. A key element of the "just transition" is an active labor market policy (ALMP) that creates conditions for retraining and upskilling workers in the mining sector, supporting job search, and developing green entrepreneurship.
"Over the past five years, the PAGE initiative, which brings together five UN agencies, has been instrumental in developing, improving, and implementing Kazakhstan's green economic development framework through its mandates, expertise, and networks. This progress would not have been possible without the financial support of partners such as the European Union, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, and South Korea. Key achievements include the amendments to Kazakhstan's Environmental Code, the Carbon Neutrality Strategy, and the Green Economy Concept,"said Katarzyna Wawiernia, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. and UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan joined PAGE in 2019 and, with the support of its partners, has improved legislation on the green economy in line with international commitments. In addition, PAGE has introduced sectoral and thematic improvements, including legislation on sustainable public procurement, industrial decarbonization, green economy and environment training, waste management, and fiscal reform.
International experts presented an analysis of the impact of the new EU regulation on methane emissions in the oil and gas industry. As the European Union is one of Kazakhstan's main markets for oil exports, the new legislation requires domestic oil companies to adapt to new monitoring and reporting standards.
In addition, participants discussed the impact of climate change on various sectors of the economy, including the problem of land degradation, which threatens Kazakhstan's food security. The transition to regenerative agriculture is considered a solution to this problem.
Instruments to support green initiatives from banks of Kazkahstan and development funds were also presented at the congress. The "UN Summit: Climate Mitigation Negotiations" was a unique feature of the congress, where participants developed practical scenarios for achieving carbon neutrality in Kazakhstan. In addition, the centuries-old experience of nomadic peoples living in harmony with nature was discussed, which could help to overcome modern environmental challenges.
The IV ECOJER Congress reaffirmed Kazakhstan's readiness to transition to a green development model. Practical cooperation between the state, business, international organizations, and development institutions remains the key to the success of this transition.
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