1. Key Environmental Developments. Kazakhstan and Central Asia
Yerzhan Yessimkhanov
GRATA Law Firm
London, 2011

2. Key Developments Climate change;
Toughening regulatory framework (and enforcement);
Renewable energy.

3. Climate Change
All Central Asian countries are parties to Kyoto Protocol;
None of them is Annex I party;
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the most active.

4. Kazakhstan Uzbekistan
Efforts to become Annex I country to take part in JI and emissions trading mechanisms;
Development of legislative framework;
Establishment of national emissions trading system starting from 1 January 2013;
Inventorying and monitoring pollution levels.
Uzbekistan
Pro-actively implements CDM, especially in its gas distribution system.

5. Toughening Regulatory Framework
Mostly relating to subsoil use (extraction of minerals);
Prohibition of associated gas flaring;
Severe penalties (fines) for environmental pollution;
No contract stability for amendments to environmental laws. 5

6. Renewable Energy Recent active development;
Legislative framework of general character;
Certain commercial incentives for producers of renewable energy – simplified procedure to sell to distributors of energy;
No tax incentives in most countries (but some are discussed). 6

7. ANY QUESTIONS? Yerzhan Yessimkhanov Counsel GRATA Law Firm 7