The bilateral dialogues on environment and climate change take place under the Subcommittee on Energy, Transport, Environment and Climate Change in the framework of the EPCA. 

Kazakhstan is an active member of the EU-Central Asia Working Group on Environment and Climate Change organised under the EU-Central Asia Platform for Environment and Water Co-operation. 

In December 2019, the European Commission introduced the European Green Deal, a roadmap for making the EU's economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the transition just and inclusive for all.  

Kazakhstan ratified the Paris Agreement on 6 December 2016. Kazakhstan’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement sets an unconditional target of 15% reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 2030 in comparison to 1990 levels.

The EU is actively supporting Kazakhstan’s national programme for transition to green economy.

 For more information, please see the EU Projects page

Kazakhstan's economy is largely based on its oil sector, as well as on the extraction of coal and uranium, and other important raw materials. Kazakhstan is a major energy supplier to the EU and contributes towards the diversification of supply sources for the EU markets. 

With over 70% of its oil exports going to the EU (6% of EU oil demand), Kazakhstan is already the EU’s third largest non-OPEC supplier, after Russia and Norway. Kazakhstan exports its gas to Russia, Ukraine and China. 

Kazakhstan is also a member of the Energy Charter and pursues an active role in the currently on-going Energy Charter modernisation debate. 

Since bilateral relations began, the European Union and Republic of Kazakhstan have developed a strong and mutually beneficial relation in the field of energy. Major EU-based energy companies have significant investments in the Kazakh oil and gas industry. On the other hand, Kazakh national oil and gas company KMG controls important EU-based assets for refining, trading and retail in South-Eastern Europe and countries of the Eastern Partnership. 

Kazakhstan has very large reserves of uranium and ranks first in the world in terms of production and export of raw uranium. It is the single largest supplier to EU nuclear energy industry and meets more than 21% of the EU uranium demand. Kazakhstan’s oil and uranium exports are important to the European Union and make a positive contribution to the continent’s energy diversification. 

EU – Kazakhstan energy cooperation framework 

Kazakhstan’s increasing role in the EU energy landscape is supported by a well-developed legal and institutional framework of bilateral cooperation in the field of energy. The EPCA between the European Union and Kazakhstan, recognizes the need for enhanced, sustainable and effective cooperation in the field of energy, to ensure energy security, based on principles of mutual interest, reciprocity, transparency and predictability. 

More practical aspects of the EU – Kazakhstan energy relations are addressed in the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation, concluded in 2006, which covers topics such as: 

• Energy security and investment. 
• Increasing security of supply. 
• Predictability of demand. 
• Construction/Upgrading transportation infrastructure of mutual interest. 
• Promotion of industrial cooperation (upstream and downstream). 

There are also several co-operation agreements in the field of nuclear energy, on general aspects related to the peaceful use of this type of energy, but also addressing specific areas, such as nuclear safety and nuclear fusion. 

Periodic meetings are organized between the EU and Kazakh officials, to discuss implementation of the respective agreements. 

Participation of Kazakhstan in EU-sponsored energy-related programs and initiatives 

EU has provided high-level political and significant financial support to the creation in Kazakhstan of the Low-Enriched Uranium Bank (LEUB), owned and controlled by the International Atomic Energy Agency, but operated by the Government of Kazakhstan, under its own legislation, in accordance with IAEA safety standards and security guidance. The bank is intended to assure countries with peaceful nuclear programs of a ready supply of LEU in case they cannot access it on the commercial market or otherwise. 

The EU and Kazakhstan are partners in the Energy Charter. Treaty Kazakhstan also benefits from the EU4Energy programme of technical support for the creation of competitive energy markets, promotion of renewables and efficient use of energy.

The EU and Kazakhstan closely cooperates on development issues through many instruments. 

Kazakhstan is eligible to receive financial and technical assistance from the EU through  the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), the Nuclear Safety Instrument, the Partnership Instrument and education support and exchange through the ERASMUS + Programme. 

In addition, Kazakhstan is benefiting from regional programmes of around 120 Mill EUR. In 2023 the EU and Kazakhstan signed a bilateral financing agreement of about 9 Million Euros to support the implementation of the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

 For more information, please see the EU Projects page

The EPCA has a strong emphasis on democracy, rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms and supports Kazakhstan in its reform and modernisation processes, especially after the tragic events of January 2022. Every year the EU and Kazakhstan hold a Human Rights Dialogue and Justice and Home Affairs Subcommittee. 

At the Human Rights Dialogue, a broad range of human rights related issues are discussed: 

• The penitentiary system, prevention of torture and ill-treatment.
• Civil society.
• Freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
• Women's rights.
• Children's right and non-discrimination.
• Freedom of expression.
• Freedom of religion or belief. 

The Justice and Home Affairs Subcommittee is an opportunity to discuss rule of law, good governance and reform of the judiciary, judicial cooperation, the fight against money laundering and corruption, migration and visa related issues, asylum and border management, counterterrorism and prevention of violent extremism. 

In addition, the Delegation and Member States hold bi-monthly human rights consultations with the Ministry of Justice and law enforcement institutions. The meetings cover all thematic aspects of human rights, as well as current developments and cases of concern.

 The EU provides support through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and the Non-State Actors – Local Authorities (NSA-LA) Programme of the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI). 

EIDHR is a financial and policy instrument designed to contribute to the development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, as well as respect of all human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide. In pursuing this aim, EIDHR puts a strong emphasis on the role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and offers independence of action, which is a critical feature of cooperation with CSOs at national level. Through this, EIDHR seeks to focus on sensitive political issues and innovative approaches. The NSA-LA Programme has been ongoing since 2007. It is an actor-oriented programme aimed at capacity building through support to initiatives proposed by non-state actors and local authorities. 

The EU Delegation in Astana is currently managing five human rights related ongoing projects under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) for a total amount of € 2 million. 

For details on the projects, please refer to the Projects section.

The dialogue with Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Kazakhstan takes place on a broad range of topics and in various formats along the priorities for EU intervention as envisaged in the EU Country Roadmap for Engagement with Civil Society. 

Global Gateway is the European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. Through a 'Team Europe approach', Global Gateway brings together the EU, its Member States and their financial and development institutions to mobilise the private sector to leverage investments promoting sustainable growth. 
 
Between 2021 and 2027, Team Europe is mobilising up to €300 billion of investments for sustainable, transformational and high-quality projects, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities. This allows EU’s partners to create resilient and sustainable societies and economies, but also create opportunities for the EU Member States’ private sector to invest and remain competitive, whilst ensuring the highest environmental and labour standards, as well as sound financial management.

In Central Asia and Kazakhstan, the Global Gateway strategy focuses on four priorities: Water / Energy/ Climate, Digital Connectivity, the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Critical Raw Materials.

By connecting continents and communities, Global Gateway is shaping a more resilient, green, and interconnected world.

Flagship projects:

Regional Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy, and Climate Change in Central Asia

The Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy and Climate Change supports a regional approach to sustainable water resources management, with particular focus on transboundary water governance initiatives and water basin management. It supports the International Fund for the Saving of the Aral Sea (IFAS), as well as regional energy connectivity in Central Asia, to ensure a better balancing of renewable energy production. With a direct EU technical assistance support of EUR 20M, it combines in total more than EUR 600M for investments and projects from Member States.

Key Components

1. Improved Regional Integrated Water-Energy Resources Management:
   • Strengthening cross-border cooperation to balance competing water uses.
2. Increased Investment for a Green Transition:
   • Mobilizing resources to support sustainable energy and water infrastructure.

Through this initiative, the EU seeks to achieve:

• Enhanced Cross-Border Water Management: Balancing the needs of competing water users by improving regional water governance.
• Improved Infrastructure Safety and Operation: Strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for critical energy and water infrastructure.
• Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Promoting sound water resource management and resilient infrastructure to address climate challenges.
• Environmental Protection: Halting environmental degradation and biodiversity loss through regional cooperation and EU-Central Asia policy dialogues.

Central Asia Digital Connectivity

The Global Gateway Initiative on Digital Connectivity will enhance Kazakhstan and Central Asian businesses and citizens' access to a secure, internet through trusted satellite connectivity. It brings together the European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), with EU Member States (including Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia and Lithuania).

The Digital Connectivity initiative will reduce digital divides in the region and promote inclusive, last-mile digital services. The EU will also integrate Central Asia into programmes and initiatives designed for the EU. This initiative will be the first concrete implementation of the Digital4Development Hub branch for Asia-Pacific.

It's main objectives are to

• promote digital connectivity and the development of the digital economy in Kazakhstan and Central Asia
• tackle the connectivity gap in the region by developing a high-capacity internet network, while increasing access to international bandwidth and establishing a secure connection between Europe and Central Asia. This includes investment in satellite constellation and deployment of ground infrastructure.
• mitigate the digital divide in the region and generate positive side effects for the wider economy

Critical Raw Materials

This flagship is based on the Strategic partnership with Kazakhstan on raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen which was signed between Commission President von der Leyen and then Prime Minister Smailov in 2022.

This initiative aims to develop a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials and refined materials. It also seeks to develop renewable hydrogen and battery value chains to boost the green and digital transformation in both partners’ economies.

The strategic partnership with Kazakhstan aims to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials, refined materials and renewable hydrogen to help build a new, cleaner foundation for the economies of the EU and Kazakhstan. This facilitates the move away from fossil fuel dependency. The strategic partnership with Kazakhstan shows Europe’s commitment to work with partner countries to achieve a greener and more resilient future.

The EU Delegation to Kazakhstan is managing the regional programme EU PROSPERITY PROGRAMME IN CENTRAL ASIA: EXPANDING ACTIVITIES IN CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS IN CENTRAL ASIA to increase cooperation on critical raw materials between the EU and relevant Central Asian countries, and increase the resilience of raw materials and battery supply chains, through technical preparatory work. This component is being implemented by the EBRD.

Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

The EU supports the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor into a modern, competitive, and efficient route connecting Europe and Asia in no more than 15 days.

The EU will follow a network approach to ensure improved connectivity and cooperation, as well as economic growth between Central Asian countries.

Strategically located, Kazakhstan is one of the main partners for the EU in this endeavour. The EU works together with Kazakhstan towards increased adoption of EU transport standards, facilitation of infrastructure investments, trade facilitation along the Corridor, and streamlined border management within Central Asia.

More information on Global Gateway