Turezhanov
S.U.
A.Baitursynov Kostanay State University, Kazakhstan
VECTOR OF PASSING TO THE
«GREEN ECONOMY» IN KAZAKHSTAN
The main
disadvantages of the existing economic system is the uneven distribution of
resources in the world, which caused uneven development of countries and, as a
consequence, significant differences in the standard of living in developed and
developing countries, natural resource depletion, food shortages, unfavorable
for living habitat. Therefore, supporters of «green economy» see it as an
alternative path of development instead of the current «brown economy».
By definition,
UNEP «green economy» is the economy
«...the result of which are growth of welfare and social justice, and which at
the same time significantly reduces the environmental risks and the lack of
natural resources». It is an economy with low carbon emissions, efficient use
of natural resources and the interests of the whole society.
UNEP motto -
«Environment for Development».
In world practice
in the countries in which initiated a policy of «green economy», has developed
a mechanism to stimulate the introduction of «green» technologies, which is
considered among the most extensive range of tools.
In particular,
the most popular ones:
- pricing
adequately reflects the costs;
-Change the tax
system that encourages Eco projects;
-public policies
conducive to the formation of the principles of sustainable development through
the restoration, maintenance and possible increase in natural capital;
-creation of
funds to provide targeted public support for research and development related
to the creation of environmentally sound technologies;
Support social
initiatives aimed at creating a society ideology respect for nature and the
environment.
The economy of
Kazakhstan are the most developed petroleum and coal industry. The consequence
of this orientation manufactures steel intensive greenhouse gas emissions, in
terms of which the country has a leading position in the CIS.
The current model
of the economy of Kazakhstan called «brown economy», which is characterized by:
- dependence of
the economy on the oil sector, mining and heavy industry;
Economic growth
in Kazakhstan is based on the intensive use of natural resources;
- tighten
requirements for the implementation of international standards causes a loss of
competitiveness of Kazakhstan goods;
- dependence on
extractive industries reduces the possibilities for innovation in other
processing sectors .
Understanding
the need to address these problems in the short term and in the longer term is
reflected in government decisions in recent years. The basic contours of the
future economy in Kazakhstan is reflected in the President to the people of
Kazakhstan in the new Strategy «Kazakhstan- 2050».
The
main goal to be achieved by the Republic in 2050 is the creation of a society
based on a strong welfare state, in the long term, while not exposing future
generations to significant environmental risks [1].
Currently in
Kazakhstan started to implement large-scale project «Assistance to the Republic
of Kazakhstan in strengthening inter-regional cooperation for the promotion
of «green growth» and the
implementation of the Astana Initiative».
The initiators of
the project are the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry
of Environment and Water Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The aim of the
project is to assist in developing a strategy for the transition to a «green
economy».
UNDP experts,
exploring the state of the economy of Kazakhstan, identified five priority sectors
for the implementation of the future strategy:
1. In the short and longer term economy of
Kazakhstan will focus on energy from gas, oil and coal.
2. Currently,
there has been a shortage of drinking water that meets regulatory requirements.
Improving the welfare of the population is directly linked with sustainable
access to quality and safe water.
3. Kazakhstan
accumulated significant industrial and household waste, due to lack of
infrastructure for their processing. The challenge is in bringing the current
level of waste to 70 % by 2020.
4. Proportion of
national greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture is 10 %, which is commensurate
with the contribution of agriculture to GDP is only 5%. At the same time the
industry has significant potential, which is not fully utilized.
5. Kazakhstan
transport system focuses on the use of diesel and gasoline, which gives 8 % of
greenhouse gases. Industry's contribution is only 7 %. Consequently, in this
industry also has the potential transition to technology «green economy».
Therefore, in
order to achieve a holistic approach to «green transition» government should
outline the balanced growth path. In order to achieve this transition,
according to domestic and foreign scholars, the Republic of Kazakhstan should
implement the following measures:
-diversification
of the production base in the industrial sector, which is less
energy-intensive;
-promotion of
environmentally sound technologies and the industry to promote renewable energy
and environmentally friendly products in the field of food production;
-restoration
of the environment from harm caused by rapid economic growth, intense emission
of gases and improved quality of life.
Certainly, the
reorientation of the economy on saving «green» technologies requires resources
and costs. But at the same time, it will give tangible benefits in the future,
will make the engine of economic growth.
References:
1. Message from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Strategy «Kazakhstan -2050»