Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is the largest country of Central Asia with vast grasslands, deserts and mountains and is the most coal energy dependent economy of the region. It has identified adaptation priorities and ambitious mitigation measures, especially those related to the transition from coal-based energy to cleaner sources. The country is relying on international climate finance and domestic resources and is working to expand its project portfolio though GCF readiness activities and green finance services. In line with national priorities, a large proportion of climate financing goes to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Other sectors with climate financing support include transport, agriculture and water. Kazakhstan is a leader in international climate financing among Central Asia states. It has received funding from global climate funds and leveraged co-financing from multilateral banks and bilateral channels in excess of $1.7 billion over the past ten years. About $1.3 billion of this funding comes from two principal sources — the Green Climate Fund and the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) — and the associated co-financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other multilateral banks. These projects are providing long-term concessional finance to encourage private sector investments in solar, wind, small hydropower and biogas projects, to improve energy efficiency and to step up progress towards a circular economy. The European Investment Bank (EIB) supports Kazakh banks with credit lines targeting small- and medium-sized enterprises. The European Union has supported implementation of the green economy
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in Kazakhstan and the EU Delegation in Nur-Sultan is in charge of several regional EU funded projects. Bilateral support mainly comes from the US, Switzerland, France, Germany, Korea, Norway and the United Kingdom. Kazakhstan is a direct neighbor of China and cooperates under the Belt and Road Initiative on science, trade and technology. Through improved weather and agrometeorological forecasting and flood warnings, local authorities, farmers and businesses can prepare for extreme weather impacts and prevent millions in losses and damages. Bilateral assistance, the GEF and regional projects and experience exchange all provide support for improved reporting and policymaking on climate change. Since 2018, Kazakhstan has participated in the Partnership for Action on a Green Economy (UN-PAGE), which helps countries introduce fiscal policy to reduce carbon emissions, and provides advice on developing legal tools for the revised Environmental Code and on developing circular economy sub-programmes, particularly on waste and sustainable public procurement. The Global Environment Facility helped Kazakhstan promote energy efficiency and renewable energy, make cities greener and conserve landscapes acting as natural carbon sinks, particularly the grasslands of northern Kazakhstan and the wild apple forests in the mountains. More than $30 million provided by GEF resulted in a cumulative value of climate-relevant GEF projects implemented in Kazakhstan in excess of $300 million. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the main implementing agency of GEF projects in the country and has mobilized additional resources to support Kazakhstan in climate risk assessment,
