Kazakhstan shaping ways to integrate green economy into strategic development of the country

Participants of the seminar will touch on some key questions such as: is it possible to make the economy more environmental-friendly and at the same time more profitable and competitive? A number of international organizations will present their suggestions on how to green the economy of Kazakhstan which they have implemented within the framework of various projects, UNDP Kazakhstan said.

Keeping in mind that Kazakhstan's economy is almost fully dependent on natural resources, it is vitally important to find more efficient solutions for increasing welfare of the society. Experts believe that Kazakhstan possesses unique opportunities and prerequisites for green economy: vast territory, geopolitical position, available financial and natural resources. Renewable energy potential is enormous, and the country belongs to top ten countries in the world in terms of recoverable gas reserves. Kazakhstan has also got huge potential for energy saving. Thus energy saving in the manufacturing sector can reach 40%, and in the consumption sector up to 50-60%. Big opportunities for green economy are available in the organic agriculture, water saving, wastes processing, modernization of housing and utilities, ecological tourism, development of fishery and other areas destined to maintain and revive the natural resources.

The idea of green development is promoted by Kazakhstan at a local and global level. The country has submitted to the World Summit 'Rio+20' its interregional 'Green Bridge' initiative and 'Global Energy and Ecological Strategy'. Kazakhstan's initiatives received wide support of the global community and were included into the conference's outcome document "The future we want". A logical follow-up to international initiatives was that the President of Kazakhstan tasked the Government of Kazakhstan to draft the National Strategy on Transition to Green Economy for Kazakhstan.

Key steps in this direction planned for 2012-2013 include progress on the Green Bridge Partnership Program through establishment of a governing body and drafting a work plan, as well as efforts with regards to the Strategy on Transition to Green Economy for Kazakhstan.