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Akmola Oblast
Aktobe Oblast
Almaty Oblast
Atyrau Oblast
West Kazakhstan Oblast
Jambyl Oblast
Karaganda Oblast
Kostanay Oblast
Kyzylorda Oblast
Mangystau Oblast
Turkestan Oblast
Pavlodar Oblast
North Kazakhstan Oblast
East Kazakhstan Oblast
Shymkent
Baikonur Cosmodrome
Semipalatinsk Test Site
Ecological Policy
Full text of this report
Home
About this report
Topics
-- Air
-- Water
-- Land
-- Biodiversity
-- Agriculture
-- Transportation
-- Energy
-- Climate Change
-- Waste
The Regions (oblasts)
-- Nur-Sultan
-- Almaty
-- Akmola Oblast
-- Aktobe Oblast
-- Almaty Oblast
-- Atyrau Oblast
-- West Kazakhstan Oblast
-- Jambyl Oblast
-- Karaganda Oblast
-- Kostanay Oblast
-- Kyzylorda Oblast
-- Mangystau Oblast
-- Turkestan Oblast
-- Pavlodar Oblast
-- North Kazakhstan Oblast
-- East Kazakhstan Oblast
-- Shymkent
-- Baikonur Cosmodrome
-- Semipalatinsk Test Site
Ecological Policy
Full text of this report
Section navigation
Since 2015, emissions of airborne pollutants have been
steadily increasing. This may be traced to both an expanding
economy and the preponderance of enterprises working with
outdated, environmentally harmful technologies. 2018 saw
nearly 2.4 million tons of pollutants released into the
atmosphere, a number that increased in 2019 by 1.5%.
Incidents of high and extremely high pollutant releases
decreased significantly from 2018 to 2019, by a factor of
three; despite this, overall emissions continue to grow.
Air
The high levels of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur
dioxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, suspended solids, phenol
and ammonia encountered in population centers is associated with
automobile traffic congestion, emissions by industrial enterprises
and substandard urban atmospheric ventilation.
Gaseous and liquid pollutants
Solid contaminants
The AirKZ mobile application has also been launched allowing users in 46 population centers and
settlements of Kazakhstan to track air quality and emissions of eight common air pollutants.
In
2018, Kazhydromet carried out air quality assessments in 48 population centers at 146 monitoring
locations; in 2019, assessments were made at 45 population centers at 140 monitoring locations.
Airborne Pollutant Emissions
- by oblast - 2014-2019 (thousand tons)
Region
2014
2015
Kazakhstan overall
Karaganda Oblast
Pavlodar Oblast
Atyrau Oblast
Aktobe Oblast
East Kazakhstan Oblast
Kostanay Oblast
Akmola Oblast
North-Kazakhstan Oblast
South Kazakhstan Oblast
Turkestan Oblast
Mangystau Oblast
Jambyl Oblast
Almaty Oblast
West Kazakhstan Oblast
Kyzylorda Oblast
Nur-Sultan
Almaty
Shymkent
2258
604
610
109
122
130
104
85
72
60
-
88
38
52
45
31
65
44
-
2180
596
553
111
134
127
92
86
75
69
-
73
42
55
42
30
56
39
-
2016
2272
593
542
167
155
129
99
95
78
72
-
66
52
50
43
30
62
39
-
2017
2358
599
610
177
169
129
115
87
76
-
68
63
52
43
42
28
59
41
-
2018
2447
588
709
172
158
131
124
85
76
-
30
66
52
50
48
26
56
43
33
2019
2483
641
721
164
137
129
131
77
75
-
33
65
56
48
41
24
65
46
30
5
The top five regions
for volume of atmospheric
pollutant emissions
in 2018 and 2019:
1. Pavlodar
2. Karaganda
3. Atyrau
4. Aktobe
5. East Kazakhstan
In 2018,
efforts of industries
and private entrepreneurships
captured and neutralized
of all pollutants emitted; in 2019,
carbon capture and neutralization
as a percentage of pollutants
emitted was
93%
93,2%
2018
2019
79,2%
79,6%
2018
2019
20,8%
20,4%
– dust and ash (solids);
– nitrogen oxides;
– hydrogen sulfide.
– volatile organic compounds;
– ammonia;
– carbon oxides;
– sulfur dioxide;
Primary airborne pollutants include:
In 2018-2019, specific hazardous airborne substances including lead, manganese, copper oxide,
sulfuric acid, arsenic, chlorine and mercury emitted into the atmosphere fell within allowable
guidelines.
Emissions of principal atmospheric pollutants
- 2013-2019 - kilograms per capita
Name
Sulfur dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxides
Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs)
Hydrocarbons (non-VOC)
Ammonia
2014
2015
42,2
27,7
14,8
6,6
3,6
0,1
40,5
25,7
13,9
6,0
3,8
0,1
2016
43,1
26,6
13,9
5,6
3,5
0,1
2017
43,6
27,3
14,7
4,8
2,5
0,1
2018
45,9
26,1
14,9
5,0
1,9
0,1
201
3
42,6
26,8
14,6
5,4
5,6
0,1
2019
47,8
26,4
17,0
8,6
6,9
0,1
Emissions of principal atmospheric pollutants by area
- 2013-2019 - tons per km
2
In 2019, 1651 facilities in Kazakhstan produced managed airborne emissions; in 2018, there
were 1627.
The ozone layer, which protects all life, is vulnerable from exposure to a range of solvents,
refrigerants, foaming and degreasing agents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishers (halons) and
agricultural pesticides (methyl bromide).
Consumption of ozone-depleting substances - ozone-depleting potential in tons
Substances
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
Bromochloromethane
Methyl bromide
Total:
2014
2015
24,8
0
6
30,8
12,11
-
0
12,11
2016
4,96
0
0
4,96
2017
6,822
0
0
6,822
2018
7,15
-
-
7,15
201
3
83,32
2,3
19
104,62
2019
0,28
-
-
0,28
Air quality in Kazakhstan is assessed following the IZA5 Comprehensive Air Pollution Indices,
which record limits exceeded of maximum permissible emissions concentrations (MPC) of five
representative pollutants, together with their toxicity classes.
Assessment of urban air quality - 2018–2019 – as assessed by IZA5
High level
of pollution
(ISA – 7-13)
Increased level
of pollution
(ISA - 5-6)
Low level
of pollution
(ISA – 0-4)
Nur-Sultan
Karaganda
,
,
Temirtau
Aktau
Atyrau
,
,
,
Aktobe
Balkhash
Ust
,
,
-
Kamenogorsk
,
Zhezkazgan
Almaty
,
,
Ekibastuz
Petropavlovsk
,
,
Beineu
.
Kokshetau
Taldykorgan
,
,
Kulsary
Semey
,
,
Zyryanovsk
Uralsk
Aksai
,
,
,
Zhanaozen
Taraz
,
,
Zhanatas
Karatau
Shu
,
,
,
Kostanay
Ridder
,
,
Pavlodar
Aksu
Turkestan
,
,
,
Kentau
Shymkent
,
,
Kyzylorda
Saran
,
,
Glubokoe
.
Stepnogorsk
Rudny
,
,
Arkalyk
Zhitikara
,
,
Lisakovsk
Borovoe
,
integrated background
monitoring station,
Shchuchinsk
Borovsk
resort
-
area
Akai
Toretam
,
,
,
Karabalyk
Kordai
,
,
Yanvartsevo
.
Atbasar, Aktau, Kulsary,
Semey, Taraz, Karatau,
Shu, Turkestan, Kentau and
Kordai.
Kokshetau, Stepnogorsk,
Taldykorgan, Kostanay,
Rudny, Zhanaozen,
Petropavlovsk, Zhanatas,
Uralsk, Aksai, Kyzylorda,
Ekibastuz, Altai, Aksu,
Pavlodar, Saran, Ridder,
Glubokoye, Borovoe
integrated background
monitoring station
,
Shchuchinsk-Borovskaya
recreation area, Akai,
Toretam, Karabalyk, Beineu,
Yanvartsevo.
In 2019, measurable indicators of air quality in population centers were deteriorating. In 2018, 2.8% of all air samples
collected failed to meet hygienic norms; by 2019, this had risen to 3.3% of all samples. Sample analysis was conducted by
National Centre of Expertise, JSC:
https://nce.kz/
If the measurable concentration of one or more substances exceeds the maximum single measurement permissible
concentration by a factor of 10 or greater, the abbreviation EP - "elevated pollution" - is applied.
In 2018, 2777 cases of elevated pollution and 241 cases of extremely elevated pollution were recorded. In 2019, 897 cases
of elevated pollution and 60 cases of extremely elevated pollution were recorded.
If the measurable concentration of one or more substances exceeds the maximum single measurement permissible
concentration by a factor of 20–29 for a period exceeding two days, or by a factor of 30–49 for a period exceeding eight
hours, or by a factor of 50 in a single detection, the abbreviation EEP - "extremely elevated pollution" - is applied.
Nur-Sultan, Karaganda,
Temirtau, Atyrau, Aktobe,
Balkhash, Ust-
Kamenogorsk,
Zhezkazgan, Almaty,
Shymkent.
Cases of EP and EEP in urban centers in Kazakhstan - 2016-2019
Aktau
Aktobe
Nur-Sultan
Atyrau
Balkhash
Zhezkazgan
Karaganda
Temirtau
Ust-Kamenogorsk
Jiticara
Petropavlovsk
-
67
-
-
5
-
1
-
-
-
477
-
235
-
-
4
-
14
12
-
-
2563
2016 г
2017 г
2018 г
2019 г
EP
E
P
E
-
3
-
75
1
-
-
-
18
-
1
-
141
-
357
13
-
45
3
419
1
11
EP
E
P
E
-
-
-
177
-
-
-
-
64
-
-
5
7
2
1102
8
7
114
2
1530
-
-
EP
E
P
E
-
-
-
60
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9
7
4
758
-
-
56
61
2
-
-
EP
E
P
E
Aktobe
Aktobe
Carbon monoxide
Source
Measures
Incidents of high and extremely high air pollution in 2018 – 2019
Incidents - EP and EEP
Factor Exceeded
2018
5
EP
12,3–12,8
A potential source is emissions from heavy
machinery used in construction work and
traffic jams resulting from the closure of the
bridge at station No. 3.
Aktobe
Sulfur dioxide
2019
1
EP
10
Aktobe
For pollution reduction, plans are to put 3
discharge stations on line; purchases and
installation of Vapor Barrier materials
completed; and application of the IVKAZ
catalyst to the water disposal system.
2019
Hydrogen sulfide
6
EP
12,3–20,8
City sewage system, sewage pumping
stations, drainage station at Kirpichny
township, sewage disposal wells, sewage
treatment plants and Akbulak, JSC sludge
sites.
Aktobe
Sulfur dioxide
2018
2
EP
10
Atyrau
Atyrau
Pavlodar River Port JSC is addressing the
issue with the construction of biotreatment
sewage plants.
2018
Hydrogen sulfide
1102
/ 177
EP
E
P
E
10–251
Sources: the Tukla Balka filtration field and
sludge site serving the city's left bank
sewage system and the Atyrau Refinery.
Atyrau
2019
Hydrogen sulfide
758
/ 57
EP
E
P
E
0,08–132
Atyrau
Sulfur dioxide
2019
3
EP
130–178
Pavlodar River Port JSC is addressing the
issue with the construction of biotreatment
sewage plants.
Source: the Tukla Balka filtration field and
sludge site serving the city's left bank
sewage system and the Atyrau Refinery.
Karaganda
Karaganda
To reduce emissions, the Karaganda Oblast
Akimat (State Provincial Administration) and
the Department of Ecology agreed on a
comprehensive action plan to promote
emission reductions from enterprises.
2018
Particulate matter PM-2,5
113
EP
10–20
Emissions are a result of a combination of
fuel-burning home heating systems,
industry output, and meteorological factors.
Particulate matter PM-10
1
EP
11
Karaganda
To reduce emissions, the Karaganda Oblast
Akimat (State Provincial Administration) and
the Department of Ecology agreed on a
comprehensive action plan to promote
emission reductions from enterprises.
2019
Particulate matter PM-2,5
55
EP
10–19
Emissions are a result of a combination of
fuel-burning home heating systems,
industry output, and meteorological factors.
Particulate matter PM-10
1
EP
10
Temirtau
Hydrogen sulfide
2018
7
EP
11–19,6
Temirtau
To reduce emissions, the Karaganda Region Akimat
(State Provincial Administration) and the Department of
Ecology agreed on a comprehensive action plan to
promote emission reductions from industrial
enterprises.
2019
Particulate matter PM-2,5
1
EP
16,8
A suspected source of pollution is large industry. Unscheduled inspections were
conducted at ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC, Temirtau Electrometallurgical Plant JSC, and
Bassel Group LLS LLP, where four unscheduled inspections were carried out, but
uncovered no violations of excessive emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and
hydrogen sulfide.
Hydrogen sulfide
6
EP
10 - 13,7
Sulfur dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide
1
EP
10
53
EP
10 - 1
Excessive levels of pollution
result from fuel-burning home
heating systems and low
windspeeds.
Temirtau
2019
Balkhash
Hydrogen sulfide
2018
8
EP
Zhezkazgan
Hydrogen sulfide
2018
7
EP
Mangystau
Aktau
To improve air quality of in the region, work
is underway to increase greenspace in
population centers.
Particulate Matter PM-10
5
EP
10,7–13,2
Air quality exceedances were registered at
only one automatic post; analysis of
readings from other parts of the city showed
no exceedances. The pollution recorded is
occurring naturally.
Particulate Matter PM-10
9
EP
11,6–22,3
Aktau
2018
2019
Major Urban Areas (Cities of National significance
)
Nur-Sultan
Particulate Matter (dust)
2018
1
EP
12,6
Hydrogen fluoride
2018
1
EP
17,2
The area of excessive emissions sits in an
area of private residential structures with
fuel-burning home heating systems, and
high-rise apartment blocks and garages
from which emissions could be sourced.
Nur-Sultan
Hydrogen fluoride
2019
4
EP
10,4–19,7
A possible source of high hydrogen fluoride
contamination levels was electric arc
welding using steel welding electrodes
containing fluoride compounds.
Nur-Sultan
Hydrogen sulfide
2019
1529
/ 64
EP
E
P
E
10–131,7
Kazzinc, MC MK LLP is the most probable
pollution source. No incidents of deviation
from standard technological equipment
operation or of excessive environmental
emissions were recorded.
Ust-Kamenogorsk
Hydrogen sulfide
2019
2
EP
11,7–23,1
Work is underway to identify the sources of
air pollution by mapping events to aid in
remedy development.
Ust-Kamenogorsk
In 2019, the percentage of enterprises employing sanitary protection zones increased to 95.8%. In
2018, the percentage was 94.2%.
To improve the state of the environment, Category 1 large enterprises adopted pollutant emissions
limits.
Limits on gross pollutant
emissions for Category 1
enterprises - 2015–2019,
million tons
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
4,5
4,6
4,3
4,2
4,3
0
5
Work on the establishment of
a Pollutant Release and Transfer Register
The Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) i
s an environmental
database of potentially hazardous chemicals and pollutants released into the atmosphere,
discharged into water and soil, and transferred from an area for recycling or disposal.
On December 12, 2019, the Republic of Kazakhstan ratified national legislation No. 279-VI
- the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Register of the Aarhus Convention.
T
he OSCE, the Ministry of Energy, and the National Aarhus Centre engaged in the joint
preparation of supporting documentation for "Expert Assessment for the Introduction of
PRTRs in Kazakhstan". The framework provided a comparative table of additions and
alterations for the Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for PRTRs.
Proposals and comments were submitted and adapted to produce an updated version of
the Code for maintaining a State Pollutants Emissions and Transfers Registry,
incorporating international heavy metals emissions assessment methodology in keeping
with the adopted legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
U
NITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) and RSE
(Republican State Enterprise) j
oint project on the CEC (Commission for
Environmental Cooperation "Information and Analytical Centre for Environmental
Protection" "A global project for the implementation of the Pollutant Release and Transfer
Register (PRTR) as a tool for reporting persistent organic pollutants, their dissemination,
and increasing public awareness in the Republic of Kazakhstan". The goal of the project
is to ensure the accuracy of environmental data in regard to Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPs) and other priority chemical agents, and the implementation of a fully operational
national PRTR to improve access and raise public awareness of environmental issues.
Efforts at reducing ozone-depleting substances emissions
Kazakhstan is a party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone
Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The current edition of the Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan
establishes norms regulating the import and export of ozone-depleting substances
and products containing them within Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries
and expands the State Inventory (Registry) of Ozone-Depleting Substance use.
The use of consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) is regulated by
current legislation in the Republic of Kazakhstan, affecting their importation, the
establishment of usage quotas, permits for employing ODS, and the repair,
installation, and maintenance of equipment containing ODS. ODS imports onto the
territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan from countries not affiliated with the
Eurasian Customs Union (EACU), and exports of ODS or products containing ODS
from the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the above countries (excluding
their transit) are regulated by licenses issued by the authorized body in the field of
environmental protection. The movement of ozone-depleting substances by
individuals for personal use (non-commercial purposes) is prohibited.
- submission of an annual report on the export and import of ODS;
- complies with the action plan for the phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbon
(HCFC) consumption in accordance with Decision 29/14 of the Secretariat on
Montreal Protocol implementation.
-
informs on the state of the ozone layer and ongoing scientific research;
Within the framework of the Montreal Protocol, Kazakhstan complies with the
following international obligations in the sphere of the active protection of the
Earth's ozone layer:
- informs on progress made on the schedule for the reduction of ODS;
A Ministry of Ecology and UNIDO-GEF joint project on the "Regional Demonstration Project for the Coordinated Management of ODS and POPs Disposal in Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and
Armenia
its goal the organization of environmentally sound methods of destruction of ODS and obsolete pesticides containing POPs.
” has as
The GEF project "Phased Reduction of HCFS in the Republic of Kazakhstan through the promotion of energy-efficient technologies without ODS and with low global warming potential" study is set
for updating.
By January 1, 2025, 0 tons of ozone-depleting potential, excluding consumption for the
maintenance of refrigeration and climate equipment employed between 2020 and 2030.
10
8
6
4
2
0
year
Projected level,
ozone-depleting
potential - tons
2016–2019
2020
2021
2022 - 2024
7,5
6,0
0,5
3,95
80
60
40
20
0
Stages of
HFC
reduction
year
2020
2029
2034
2036
and beyond
2025
5
35
70
80
85
Ratios of solid, liquid and gaseous airborne pollutants released
in 2018-2019
A selection of joint projects between State agencies and international organizations:
Emissions of atmospheric pollutants - by substance - 2013–2019
Name
Sulfur dioxide
thousand tons
(
)
(
)
Carbon monoxide
thousand tons
(
)
Nitrogen oxides
thousand tons
Coal ash with calcium
oxide
(
)
content 35–40%
thousand tons
(
)
Soot
thousand tons
Volatile Organic Compounds
(
)
(VOCs)
thousand tons
(
)
Ammonia
thousand tons
Hydrocarbons
(
)
(excluding VOCs)
thousand tons
(
)
Toluene
tons
(
)
Lead
tons
(
)
Copper
tons
(
)
Copper oxide
tons
(
)
Naphthalene
tons
(
)
Benzo(a)pyrene
tons
(
)
Arsenic
tons
(
)
Cadmium
tons
(
)
Dichloroethane
tons
(
)
Mercury
tons
2014
2015
729
479
257
14
8,9
114
2,2
62
2076
699
162,6
-
54,9
23,2
87,7
1,2
0,100
0,2
711
451
243
8,6
7,3
105
2,3
66
2174
636
255
-
54,5
49,6
40,5
1,2
1,2
0,2
2016
768
473
245
8,6
8,0
100
2,5
63
1942
225
218
-
56,2
22,8
13,4
1,3
1,2
0,5
2017
786
492
265
14
8,7
87
2,6
45
2335
255
-
32,9
58,7
24,7
7,9
6,5
1,125
0,3
2018
838
477
272
14
7,6
92
2,5
35
2340
242
-
32,3
61,2
27,9
41,6
0,9
1,1
0,18
201
3
729
458
250
19
8,6
92
2
96
1761
572
166
-
52
35
122
1,3
0,047
0,2
2019
886
488
314
9
6,9
159
2,5
129
2179
390
366
-
61,0
57,8
13,8
0,8
3,3
0,19
Emissions of primary atmospheric pollutants
by GDP - 2013-2019 - kg per 1000 USD
Sulfur dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxides
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Ammonia
Hydrocarbons (non-VOC)
1,8
1,6
1,4
1,2
1
0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0
thousand
tons
year
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
1,7
0,27
0,147
0,25
0,155
0,146
0,006
0,19
0,101
1,0
0,20
0,076
1,8
1,1
0,6
0,23
0,238
0,33
0,263
0,005
1,7
1,8
1,8
1,8
1,8
1,0
1,1
1,1
1,1
1,1
0,6
0,6
0,6
0,6
0,6
0,6
0,006
0,005
0,005
0,005
0,005
0,23
Sulfur dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxides
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Ammonia
Hydrocarbons (non-VOC)
0,3
0,2
0,1
0
tonns
year
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
0,04
0,023
0,04
0,024
0,023
0,001
0,03
0,017
0,03
0,013
0,3
0,1
0,03
0,035
0,06
0,047
0,2
0,001
0,1
0,1
0,1
0,1
0,1
0,1
0,001
0,001
0,001
0,001
0,005
0,04
0,3
0,3
0,3
0,3
0,3
0,3
0,2
0,2
0,2
0,2
0,2
0,2
Work continues on the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol whose stated aim
is the phasing out of hydrofluorocarbon production and consumption.
Plans include a gradual reduction of hydrofluorocarbons in Kazakhstan relative to the 2011-2013 baseline
level of production and consumption. This effort will work to preserve the ozone layer in the effort to limit
the global average temperature increase to 0.5°C through 2050.
This interactive report was created by the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the European Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme, and Zoï Environment Network.