A working group under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the RK will develop a Roadmap for the transition of large production enterprises of the country to comprehensive environmental permits (CEPs), which are required by the Environmental Code of the RK from January 1, 2025. The transition algorithm will be developed taking into account the views of stakeholders. This agreement was reached on April 16 by the participants of the round table in Astana, held at the initiative of the Ministry.
At the event, JSC NC KazMunayGas (KMG) made a presentation on “Current Challenges for obtaining a comprehensive environmental permit in the KMG group of companies”, voicing the current situation on preparation for obtaining a CARE, as well as individual issues related to the procedure and further regulation of the new environmental permit.
Obtaining such permits provides for the introduction of the best available technologies (BAT) at production complexes. Such technologies include the use of low-waste, energy-saving technologies, methods of accident prevention and minimization of negative consequences for the environment, recycling of substances generated and used in the technological process, etc.
The round table was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, NPP “Atameken”, Kazakhstan Association of Oil, Gas and Energy Sector Organizations “KAZENERGY”, Kazakhstan Association of Regional Environmental Initiatives “ECOJER”, KMG, as well as domestic and foreign companies of the oil and gas sector.
According to the participants of the discussion, the introduction of the innovation requires finalization of the regulations for obtaining CARE, including taking into account the specifics of the oil and gas industry. For example, it takes a certain amount of time to develop a package of application materials, including project documentation, required for obtaining an ERC, which should be taken into account by the regulations.
The event facilitated the development of constructive proposals aimed at the development of the industry.
For reference:
On January 1, 2025, the requirements of environmental legislation on obtaining comprehensive environmental permits by Category 1 enterprises included in the list of 50 large enterprises will come into force. An EER is an authorization document that contains a list of mandatory environmental protection requirements and stipulates the company’s compliance with the technological standards for emissions, discharges, water consumption and energy efficiency specified in the relevant industry guides. Achievement of technological standards is ensured through the implementation of BAT at production sites and equipment. To stimulate the introduction of BAT in Kazakhstan, from the date of issuance of the ERC, enterprises will be exempted from payments for emissions, discharges of pollutants, waste disposal, and, conversely, those enterprises that do not have an ERC will see their eco-payments increase manifold.
Source: https://www.kmg.kz/ru/press-center/press-releases/ker/