Just Transition: Industrial Regions Must be Included in Push Towards Green Energy

This year, Almaty, Kazakhstan was ranked as having the highest pollution levels globally, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. With the air quality index reaching 256, residents of Kazakhstan’s most populous city were encouraged to take precautionary measures, such as wearing masks, keeping windows closed and using air purifiers to protect their health. A recent study by the University of Central Asia (UCA), funded by Bankwatch, surveyed 1,000 Kazakh citizens across the country to gather their views on climate change and the prospect of a decarbonised economy. Citizens—across urban, industrial, and rural areas—broadly support the transition to cleaner energy. Some 76.8% of those surveyed support renewable energy development, and 92.3% of respondents are aware of the impacts of climate change. However, particularly among residents of industrial cities, there is significant anxiety about potential job losses. This anxiety is likely compounded by a lack of awareness of existing government policies – 54.8% of respondents were completely unaware of the country’s energy transition policies.