The energy transition is driving governments and industries to adopt various measures to reduce their climate impacts while maintaining the stability of their economy. Hydrogen technologies are one of the central topics in the energy transition. Different nations have different stances on it. Some governments see hydrogen as a decarbonization tool or part of their energy security strategy, while some others see it as a potential export commodity. While identifying priorities for the future, Kazakhstan should clearly define the role of hydrogen in the country’s long-term energy and decarbonization strategy. This work presents the first country-scale assessment of hydrogen technologies in Kazakhstan by focusing on policy, technology and economy aspects. A preliminary analysis has shown that Kazakhstan should approach hydrogen mainly as a part of its long-term decarbonization strategy. While coping with the financial risks of launching a hydrogen economy, the country can benefit from the export potential of low-carbon hydrogen in the near term. The export potential of low-carbon hydrogen in Kazakhstan is justified by its proximity to the largest hydrogen markets, huge resource base, and potentially low cost of production (in the case of blue hydrogen). Technology options for hydrogen transportation and storage for Kazakhstan are discussed in our work. The paper also identifies target hydrogen utilization areas in emission sectors regulated by Kazakhstan’s Emissions Trading System.

The increasing demand for water with the industrialisation of the world is becoming a major problem as there is a water shortage all over the earth. Therefore, the water problem is one of the important problems that needs to be effectively solved. This paper presents the results of research on...

The purpose of these studies is to investigate the dynamics of heavy metal pollution in the coastal zone and the marine part of the Caspian Sea in the Aktau Region of Kazakhstan in order to monitor the ecological state of the environment. Copper, nickel, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and zinc concentrations have been detected in soil samples. Chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc concentrations have been detected in seawater samples. Physico-chemical analyses of soil and seawater samples taken in the coastal zone and the marine part of the Aktau Region were carried out using atomic absorption spectrometer. Experimental data were collected in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024 to reveal the existing trends in heavy metal concentrations. As concerns, contamination of soils there was a serious decrease in heavy metal concentrations from 2018 to 2023. In seawater, a decrease of heavy metal concentrations has been observed by 2021-2023, but unexpectedly almost all elements showed a slight increase in 2024. Anyway, in 2023 and 2024, concentrations of all heavy metals in soil and seawater samples remain well below the Maximum Permissible Concentrations. A significant reduction in heavy metal pollution is probably due to a successful environmental policy aimed at reducing emissions of pollutants and improving treatment systems. The obtained results allow to build recommendations for sustainable resource management and use of the coastal zones and water areas in the Aktau Region for policy-makers and end-users.