Dirty Air and Waste – the Main Environmental Problems of Kazakhstan, 18 September 2025

The main environmental challenges in Kazakhstan are air pollution and waste generation. In recent years, a consistently high level of air pollution has been recorded not only in industrial cities but also in Astana and Almaty...Experts from the Central Asia Climate Foundation analyzed the environmental situation in the country and the measures being taken to address existing problems.

The issue of air pollution in Kazakhstan is becoming more acute every year. High and very high levels of air pollution have been recorded in 24 settlements. While in Astana and Almaty the poor air quality is mainly caused by emissions from thermal power plants, stove heating, and vehicle exhaust, in Karaganda, Temirtau, Balkhash, Ust-Kamenogorsk, and Zhezkazgan it is primarily due to industrial emissions from JSC Qarmet, LLP Kazzinc, and LLP Kazakhmys Smelting.

The main pollutants in Kazakhstan’s cities include suspended particles (dust), carbon and nitrogen oxides, sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, phenols, and ozone.

To prevent the negative impact of industrial enterprises on atmospheric air, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter – MENR) annually reduces emission standards as part of the issuance of environmental permits...