Kazakhstan’s Air Pollution Isn’t Driven by Factories — Ministry of Ecology

A high level of air pollution was recorded in 11 cities in Kazakhstan in 2025. According to a report by the Ministry of Ecology, the main sources were not factories, but rather road transport, the private residential sector, and small businesses, Orda.kz reports.

According to Kazhydromet, the most severe situation developed in Almaty, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Karaganda, Temirtau and Aktobe. In Almaty, for instance, transport accounts for 60% of all emissions, with an additional 12% originating from private residences and small boiler facilities.

«A significant share of pollution comes from small sources—road transport, the private sector, and small business facilities,» the ministry said

The Ministry instructed akimats to refine new environmental measures for 2026–2028, taking Beijing’s experience into account. Plans include gasifying the private residential sector; banning the use of solid fuel in boiler houses and cafes; switching transport to electricity and gas; creating green belts around industrial zones; and introducing environmental zoning of cities.

Earlier we reported how Ust-Kamenogorsk was blanketed by toxic smog. Exceedances of hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide were recorded in early February. People went outside wearing medical masks and even gas masks.

In Almaty, the situation turned out to be no better. The environmental foundation Almaty Air Initiative reported that, in terms of the health impact, living one year in Almaty is equivalent to smoking 518 cigarettes in a year. And in some districts, that figure is 700–800 cigarettes.

Original author: Saule Abdykamit