According to experts, Kazakhstan is on the right path of transition from a resource-based economy to renewable energy sources - a country rich in mineral resources can make a name for itself on “green” technologies.
The topic of implementing green projects and green startups today was discussed by international experts in Nur-Sultan as part of the XII AEF - the theme of the session was “Creating innovative ecosystems for green growth: science, education and technology”.
Anthony Cox, Deputy Director of the OECD Environment Directorate, said that Kazakhstan is not alone in addressing the challenges of building a green economy. The speaker noted the similarity of Kazakhstan and Australia in this matter - the same rich mineral country - the expert believes that our country could borrow the Australian experience, for example, in the reorganization of TPS, which previously worked on coal.
According to Kristina Haverkamp, Managing Director of Dena, Kazakhstan has a high potential for transition from a raw-material to a diversified economy.
“The government should involve private business in a green economy - they need to be supported. Green startups help build a network for collaboration in this area. For example, we annually award prizes to the best projects in the field of ecology, as well as hold festivals to spread our ideas around the world, ”said Kristina Haverkamp, Managing Director of Dena.
As known, the International Center for green technologies and investment projects created as a heritage by EXPO-217 are taking an active part in promoting “green” technologies. Its main task is to become a regional platform for attracting investment to accelerate the introduction of green technologies, the exchange of knowledge and information through science and technology transfer, as well as the promotion of partnership between countries. According to Yevgeniy Gasho, head of the energy conservation laboratory at Moscow Power Engineering Institute of Russia, our country has already had a powerful environmental breakthrough - holding the Expo-2017. However, a completely green economy is not a panacea.
“This is not a panacea, but new reserves of development in new conditions. The implementation of the ideas and principles of BAT in Russia has developed over these 5 years in the close intertwining of industrial, environmental and energy policies, quite differently than in Europe and Asia. Each country finds for itself an acceptable and effective symbiosis of reducing environmental safety and sustainable development of the economy, ”he said, adding that Russia is ready to share with Kazakhstan experience in reducing emissions from enterprises.
“Innovations stimulate the development of the economy around the world, and modern megapolises should become start-ups themselves in order to introduce “smart” and clean technologies in all countries,” said Fred Walty, President and CEO of the Global Innovation Network.
He also shared the example of creating a world-class innovation center in Los Angeles - this led to the creation of the largest green economy in the United States - technology brought the city $ 360 million.
According to Craig Smith, CEO of Dhahran Technology Development, in the near future, “resource” Kazakhstan can make a name for itself on the world stage if it actively implements “green” technologies.
