Kazakhstan: environment

How much air pollution does Kazakhstan's industry emit?

Stationary sources in Kazakhstan emitted 2,280.9 thousand tonnes of pollutants into the air in 2025, 0.4% more than in 2024, according to the Bureau of National Statistics' state of air protection release, published on 29 June 2026. Pavlodar region emitted 660 thousand tonnes and Karaganda 452.8 thousand.

The figures cover factories, power plants and other fixed sources, not vehicles. Enterprises captured and neutralised 93.8% of pollutants from stationary sources. Emissions were 2,407.5 thousand tonnes in 2021. Daily air quality in cities is published separately by Kazhydromet.

Official sources: state of air protection release · Kazhydromet

How much of Kazakhstan's electricity comes from renewable energy?

Renewable energy sources produced 7.0% of Kazakhstan's electricity, according to the latest fuel and energy balance on the Bureau of National Statistics' energy statistics page. The same page shows total energy supply of 80,050.5 thousand tonnes of oil equivalent and energy self-sufficiency of 221.11%.

Self-sufficiency above 100% means Kazakhstan produces more energy than it uses, mainly through oil, gas and coal exports. The fuel and energy balance for 2025 was published on 3 August 2026. Energy intensity was 0.307 tonnes of oil equivalent per thousand US dollars of GDP at 2015 prices.

Official sources: energy statistics page

How much does Kazakhstan spend on environmental protection?

Environmental protection costs in Kazakhstan were 813,276 million tenge in 2025, according to the Bureau of National Statistics' environment statistics page. Enterprises collected 4,095,091 tonnes of municipal waste and supplied 715,489.5 thousand cubic metres of water to the population in the same year.

Environmental protection costs include investment and current spending by enterprises and government on air, water, waste and land protection. The release on these costs for 2025 was published on 13 July 2026. Waste figures cover collection by enterprises and leave out waste that is not collected.

Official sources: environment statistics page

Where can I check air quality in Kazakhstan's cities?

Kazhydromet, the national hydrometeorological service, publishes air quality data from its monitoring network and daily forecasts of unfavourable meteorological conditions for cities on its website. It also runs the Air.KZ app and an air quality forecasting model.

Unfavourable conditions, such as still air in winter, trap pollutants near the ground and are a common cause of smog in Almaty, Astana and industrial cities. Kazhydromet's figures measure concentrations in the air, while the Bureau of National Statistics' annual air protection release measures how much industry emits.

Official sources: website · air protection release

What is Kazakhstan's carbon footprint per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Kazakhstan at 12.6 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 15.7 tonnes; its low point was 2015, at 11.2 tonnes. It is 2nd highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.1 tonnes. Worldwide: 14th of 186.

What are Kazakhstan's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 330 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The peak was 340 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2013 and the low 237 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005. It is 8th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 29th of 186.

How much of Kazakhstan's energy is renewable?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 2.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 2.1%; its low point was 2008, at 1.1%. Europe & Central Asia median: 20.4%; Kazakhstan is 47th highest of 50. Worldwide: 167th of 191.

How much of Kazakhstan is forest?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Kazakhstan was 1.3% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 33.2%, and Kazakhstan placed 50th highest of 51. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 176th highest.

What is air pollution like in Kazakhstan?

19.6 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Kazakhstan for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 21.5 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2005, at 16.9 micrograms per cubic metre. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre, and Kazakhstan placed 11th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 87th highest.

How much of Kazakhstan's land is protected?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Kazakhstan at 10.1% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2013. It is 46th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.1%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 143rd highest.

What is water stress in Kazakhstan?

In 2022, water stress in Kazakhstan was 34.6%, according to the FAO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 13th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 12.6%. World rank, highest first: 47th of 175.