Kazakhstan More Than Doubles Environmental Spending in Initial Half of 2025
In a significant shift towards environmental protection, Kazakhstan has increased its environmental spending fourfold from 2024 to 2025. This increase is particularly evident in the first half of 2025, where environmental investment reached 78.8 billion tenge (approximately US$145 million), a substantial recovery and growth after the 2024 decline.
The primary focus of these investments is large-scale water sector modernization. This includes the construction of four new reservoirs and the reconstruction of four existing ones, such as the "Bolshoy Uzen" reservoir for floodwater management and irrigation in West Kazakhstan. Additionally, over 115 irrigation canals across six regions are being rehabilitated and digitized, expanding irrigation coverage to over 256,000 hectares.
To support water management authorities (Kazvodkhoz), 757 units of special equipment are planned for procurement. Furthermore, efficient irrigation methods like sprinkler, drip, and laser leveling are being incentivized via differentiated subsidies for farmers using water-saving technologies. Training a new generation of water management professionals is also a key aspect of these investments.
Environmental investments in Kazakhstan are also intertwined with sustainable resource extraction efforts, including modern mining explorations employing advanced geological surveying and digital technologies. This balances mineral development with environmental stewardship and social engagement.
However, the global environmental landscape remains challenging. Since 1990, global emissions have grown by 62%. In 2023, global greenhouse gas emissions reached 529.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, a 1.9% increase from 2022. Notably, China alone was responsible for 30.1% of global emissions, while industrial activities rose by 91%.
In 2024, Kazakhstan's environmental spending declined 5.2-fold to 52.8 billion tenge (US$97.3 million), the lowest level since 2017. The renewable energy sector also saw a decline in expenditures, with investments falling from 202.4 billion tenge (US$373 million) in 2023 to 27.8 billion tenge (US$51.2 million) in 2024.
Despite these challenges, Kazakhstan ranked second in greenhouse gas emissions in Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union in 2023, emitting 320.4 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Uzbekistan followed Kazakhstan in greenhouse gas emissions in the same region, with 214.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023.
In 2024, waste emissions rose by 56%, and air protection and climate change mitigation received the highest share of environmental spending, with 153.6 billion tenge (US$283 million).
As Kazakhstan moves forward, it is clear that the government is committed to a strategic push towards environmental protection, focusing on water resource optimization, modernization of irrigation infrastructure, adoption of innovative water-saving practices, and ensuring sustainable mining activities.
- The government's increased environmental spending in Kazakhstan, particularly in 2025, is being allocated towards the modernization of the water sector, including the construction of new reservoirs and the rehabilitation of irrigation canals.
- Kazakhstan's environmental investments are not limited to water management; they also include sustainable resource extraction efforts, such as modern mining explorations employing advanced geological surveying and digital technologies.
- Despite Kazakhstan's commitment to environmental protection, the global environmental landscape remains challenging, with global emissions continuing to rise, and countries like China and industrial activities contributing significantly to this increase.
