LAND, WATER, COMMUNITIES (SDG 7, 8, 9, 12)

Kazakhstan has increased its focus on the development of the agricultural sector, improvement of land use and water resources management aspects. However, there are also significant challenges due to unequal water distribution, land use changes, aged agricultural machinery, shortage of skilled labor, and limited financial credit. Also, the growing domestic demand in the food industry and the poor land use management approaches have driven Kazakhstan to become a net importer of agricultural products.

There are also challenges to water quality and scarcity, especially for transboundary rivers. Every year, Kazakhstan experiences a water shortage and, according to forecasts, by 2040 the country may have water deficiencies reaching 50% of the actual needs. These pressures request technically effective solutions, institutional reforms, and better governance schemes. In this regard, we will explore the drivers and pressures on Kazakhstan’s water and land use systems in cooperation with existing collaborations among national institutes and international organizations. We also aim to introduce regional research initiatives in partnership with the Sustainable Blue Growth Initiative taken by SDSN Europe and SDSN Black Sea and reinforce research on water security in the Caspian region.

 

ENERGY AND CLIMATE (SDG 7, 13) 

The need for a clean energy solution to confront climate change has gained attention during the last few years in Kazakhstan. Significant efforts are being made for sustainable energy development in alignment with the SDGs. The energy sector and related industries have incorporated environmental, social, and governance indicators in their sustainability reports. International accredited rating agencies have also evaluated them on their climate action and sustainability performance. There are still significant challenges to be met in improving alternative energy sources in Kazakhstan. Through SDSN Kazakhstan, we aim to conduct various research activities on the country’s clean energy and climate change. The activities need the involvement of universities, oil and gas, mining, power companies, and state agencies to assess the current and future clean energy development strategies in Kazakhstan and their significance for attaining SDG goals nationwide. Besides, ‘green’ energy sources such as renewable/alternative resources and decarbonization practices are also crucial under this thematic priority.

 

EDUCATION AND PARTNERSHIPS (SDG 4, 10, 17)

Universities and other higher education institutions have a critical role in achieving the SDGs through research, learning and teaching, campus operations, and leadership. Individual elements of sustainability and SDGs are already covered in different schools and institutes in Kazakhstan; nevertheless, there are no integrated programs and frameworks to address the significant challenges of our era. Policy-related and structural changes are required for tertiary education in Kazakhstan to adopt novel approaches toward the better inclusion of SDGs in research and educational activities. In this regard, SDSN Kazakhstan would like to focus on incorporating sustainable development science into the curricula of the universities in the country and on the progress made toward embedding SDGs in tertiary education. The goal is to ensure mainstreaming of the SDGs in tertiary education over time in Kazakhstan.