QAZAQ GREEN. Kazakhstan’s investment needs for low-carbon technologies through 2060 amount to around $610 billion, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Alibek Kuantyrov said at the second annual Astana ESG Forum 2026.

The minister spoke at the plenary session “Strategic Framework for Kazakhstan’s ESG Agenda: One Year On.”

“Kazakhstan’s investment needs for low-carbon technologies amount to around $610 billion through 2060. Of this amount, about $386.3 billion is expected to come from redirecting existing investment flows toward greener sectors of the economy, while another $223.7 billion will come from attracting new investment resources. This is a massive undertaking that cannot be financed by the state budget alone. That is why building an effective climate finance system with the active participation of private capital, the banking sector, international financial institutions and development institutions is of fundamental importance,” Alibek Kuantyrov said.

With support from the Green Climate Fund, the ministry is developing a Country Investment Platform. It will include a portfolio of projects across all sectors of the economy to be implemented through blended finance instruments.

The minister highlighted the green taxonomy as a key sustainable finance tool. It sets out criteria for classifying projects as environmentally sustainable and helps develop the market for green bonds and loans, as well as attract private capital into decarbonization, energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental protection.

According to the national inventory, Kazakhstan’s total greenhouse gas emissions reached 355 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2024. This is 10.3% below the 1990 level (395 million tonnes), but emissions have been rising since 2021 due to the recovery of economic activity and growing energy consumption.

The energy sector accounts for the bulk of emissions at 290.5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Agriculture accounts for 36.4 million tonnes, industrial processes for 25.7 million tonnes and the waste sector for 7.1 million tonnes.

Under its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), Kazakhstan aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 by 17% unconditionally and by up to 25% with international support, compared to 1990 levels. The Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2060 also serves as a strategic foundation of the country’s climate policy.

The ministry also outlined plans to improve the emissions trading system. These include launching auctions of allowances from the reserve, considering the introduction of paid allowances, and introducing additional government support measures for businesses implementing low-carbon projects. In addition, 24 sectoral reference documents on best available techniques have been approved and around 22 integrated environmental permits have been issued.

“Effectively advancing the ESG agenda requires predictable regulation from the state and responsible technology investment from business,” the minister noted.

On the sidelines of the forum, the Qazaq Green Renewable Energy Sources Association, the Kazakhstan Electricity Association and the KAZENERGY Association signed a memorandum of cooperation. A Joint Action Plan for the 11th season of the ReStart project was also signed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Coalition for Green Economy and G-Global Development, and Coca-Cola İçecek Kazakhstan.