KAZAKHSTAN: Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Code No. 212 of 2007)

Meta Data
Title in national language: 
Экологический кодекс Республики Казахстан (Кодекс Республики Казахстан от 9 января 2007 года No 212)
Draft: 
No
Revision of previous policy?: 
No
Draft Year: 
2007
Effective Start Year: 
2007
Effective End Year: 
2021
Scope: 
National
Document Type: 
Code
Economic Sector: 
Energy, Power, Transport, Multi-Sector
Energy Types: 
All, Coal, Oil, Power, Gas, Renewable, Other
Issued by: 
Office of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Notes: 
No official English translation available
Source: 
Policy Database "Adilet" (RU)
File: 
Environmental Code (RU)
Overall Summary: 
The present Code is a comprehensive environmental policy scoped as encompassing the following aspects: protection of the environment, sustainable use of natural resources, climate change mitigation and pollution abatement. The policy reviews recent patters of Kazakhstan’s economic development and analyzes the corresponding strains put on the environment. Significant environmental hazards include extensive pollution of air, water and subsoil, ozone layer depletion, habitat destruction, ecosystem degradation, and adverse impacts on human health. An excessive focus is made on climate change calamities, thus - in response to existing challenges - the policy seeks to establish a low-carbon green development model largely supported by policy measures for strengthening environmental monitoring, assessment and auditing, improvement of technical regulation and introduction of standards. The Code provides frameworks for land, water, subsoil and forestry regulation that aim to speed up transition towards sustainable and eco-efficient economy.
Environment
Energy environmental priorities: 
As the policy seeks to establish an all-encompassing environmental regulatory framework, the focus on energy-related issues is made in specific sections. --- Chapter 10 overviews a comprehensive set of environmental measures designed to ensure environmental security, restore damaged ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and reduce risks to human health. By exploring the advantages of advanced eco-efficient technologies, complex monitoring and assessment systems, building environmental awareness on a nation-wide scale, the policy aims to achieve a drastic change - thus strengthen national environmental system. ---- The Code underscores the need for improvements in nuclear energy management, more specifically, storage and treatment of radioactive waste (Chapter 42).
Pollution level targets, PM10, PM2.5, SOx, NOx: 
Chapter 4. With a view to attain progress towards national pollution abatement objectives, the policy strengthens frameworks for standardization and technical regulation. Art. 25 focuses on legal requirements governing emissions, specifically, permissible levels of pollution, standards for consumption and production waste disposal, etc. Art. 26 provides for special technical emission requirements.
GHG emissions reduction targets: 
Amendments to the Code were introduced pursuant to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan №505-IV dated 3 December 2011 with an aim to establish regulatory frameworks for carbon emissions reduction. Art. 9-1 provides for quotas on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon emissions trading. GHG emissions produced by oil, energy, mining, and chemical industries, as well as agriculture and transport sectors, must not exceed the amount of twenty thousand tons yearly. Emission quotas shall be allocated in accordance with the National GHG Emissions Plan developed by a mandated authority.
Pollution control action plans: 
Art. 94-12 ‘Green Investments’ envisages sizable emission reduction through proliferated investment mechanisms. ---Art. 34-1. A specialized regulatory body – within the scope of its authority – shall set the criteria for adoption of international GHG emission standards. The standards apply to GHG inventory and carbon capture. ---. As provided by Art. 94-5, the Plan endorsed by the Government of Kazakhstan shall specify the amounts of allowable emissions by sectors of economy, and for users of natural resources.
Decarbonization strategy: 
Art. 94-10: the national action plan on low-carbon growth will focus on the following areas: mining, agriculture, housing and utilities, prevention and remediation of soil degradation, renewable sources of energy, waste management, transport, and energy efficient construction.
Carbon markets: 
Emissions trading schemes is one of predominant measures. Art. 94-7 encompasses provisions for GHG quota trading and carbon capture mechanisms. --- Art. 105: a market-based mechanism will be enforced under emissions trading system. Among policy options, cap and trade tool is considered essential.
Governance
Energy management principles: 
4. An integrated environmental permit, in addition to the information specified in Article 70 of this Code, must contain: 1) conditions for the economical use of raw materials and energy; [...] --- Article 94-2. Greenhouse gas emission quotas 1. It is prohibited to operate the installation without obtaining quotas for greenhouse gas emissions by the operator of the installation, the emissions of which exceed the equivalent of twenty thousand tons of carbon dioxide per year, in the following regulated areas of activity: oil and gas, electricity, mining, metallurgical, chemical, processing in terms of production of building materials: cement , lime, gypsum and brick.