Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16
By Ali Mustafayev – Trend:
Operations of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are aligned with Kazakhstan’s green economy concept, greenhouse gas mitigation efforts, and the country’s commitments to reduce its climate change vulnerabilities, ADB’s Country Director for Kazakhstan Giovanni Capanelli told Trend.
“Fostering sustainable green growth in response to climate change by promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources is one of the three pillars of ADB’s 2017-2021 Country Partnership Strategy for Kazakhstan approved last September,” said Capanelli.
So far, ADB’s support to Kazakhstan in this area has been focused on providing technical assistance.
“Last year we helped the government develop guidelines on introducing renewable energy auctions in the country, and integrating renewable energy into the national electricity grid,” the ADB official added.
Under another technical assistance project, ADB also provided capacity building for the development of performance-based energy-saving contracts.
Currently ADB is working with the local authorities of the Astana Akimat (executive body) on developing an investment roadmap for its low-carbon growth. ADB is also exploring opportunities for financing green energy projects in the country’s regions to help with the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy.
“We are committed to further support the government’s efforts in promoting green growth and delivering commitments made under the Paris COP 21 climate agreement, both through public and private sector investment projects, and knowledge support,” said Capanelli.