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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 This may be traced to both an expanding economy and the preponderance of enterprises working with outdated, environmentally harmful technologies. 2018 saw nearly 2.4 million tons of pollutants released into the atmosphere, a number that increased in 2019 by 1.5%.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.