Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom Discuss Practical Areas of Environmental and Climate Cooperation

On 22 September 2026, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources A. S. Kuantyrov met with Lord John Thomas Alderdice, a Member of the UK House of Lords and the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy for Azerbaijan and Central Asia. They discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation on environmental protection, climate policy and biodiversity conservation.

Priority issues included climate change adaptation, water resource management, agricultural resilience and reducing the impacts of extreme weather events. Kazakhstan expressed interest in exchanging experience with the United Kingdom on climate diplomacy, climate finance and climate risk management.

The meeting also explored opportunities for British companies and financial institutions to take part in projects related to the energy transition, climate finance and carbon market development. Kazakhstan is interested in cooperation on the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the verification of carbon units.

The sides discussed Kazakhstan’s “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative. It aims to restore degraded land and establish protective forest belts to help address the impacts of desertification, drought and transboundary dust storms.

The circular economy and waste management were identified as another promising area for cooperation. Discussions covered the introduction of modern recycling technologies and the attraction of private investment.

Kazakhstan reaffirmed its interest in expanding practical engagement with British organizations, investors and financial institutions. The Altyn Dala project was highlighted as a positive example of cooperation on biodiversity conservation.

The sides also discussed the upcoming Kazakhstan–United Kingdom Commission meeting, scheduled to take place in Astana in October 2026.

📌 Source: Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan