Temirtau, Kazakhstan – Based on the European Union (EU) experience, the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” in close cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan work on a wider dissemination of building energy efficiency labelling in Kazakhstan, which has been implemented in the country since 2012, when the Law on Energy Saving was adopted.
At the Second Interregional Forum of Environmental Initiatives “SAF AUA” organised jointly by the ECOJER Association and the SECCA Project in Temirtau on 4 June 2024 within the EU–Kazakhstan Sustainable Energy Days, representatives of the EU and the Ministry of Industry and Construction presented the Energy Efficiency Labels to two schools – the Kosshy School Gymnasium and the Kazakh School Lyceum in the town of Qonayev. These two school buildings scored the highest on energy efficiency among other analysed 100 new public schools and received “A” and “B” ratings accordingly.
Mr Robert Brudzynski, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, said: “I am proud that with the EU support this European practice is now being implemented in Kazakhstan. In the EU, we call these labels energy performance certificates. I am pleased that the new public buildings in Kazakhstan, such as these two schools, are built with consideration of energy saving and energy efficiency standards. Healthy buildings, healthy people – let us always remember that. Energy efficiency labelling of buildings is one step closer towards reducing emissions, caring more for the nature and its resources, ensuring public health and well-being and, ultimately, achieving climate-neutrality goals”.
The building energy efficiency labelling promotes energy savings by visualising the amount of energy consumed by a building with the aim to reduce its operating costs and environmental impact. This also aligns with Kazakhstan’s energy policy priorities. In his 2023 State of the Nation Address, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised the urgent need to enhance the country’s energy security through conservation of natural resources, reduction of energy consumption and improvement of energy efficiency. At the next stage of work, the SECCA project and the Ministry of Industry and Construction will issue the energy efficiency labels to the rest of public schools, kindergartens, and healthcare facilities.
Background:
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.
The European Union – Kazakhstan Sustainable Energy Days is part of the broader European Union – Central Asia Sustainable Energy Days campaign. Its purpose is to enhance the awareness of national stakeholders and the public in the region of Central Asia on the significance, benefits and accessibility of sustainable energy and the interlinkage between energy and climate change. It also represents a global edition of EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the largest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, initiated in 2007 by the European Commission. The campaign is organised yearly in the countries of Central Asia by the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)”.
The EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” (from March 2022 to March 2026) aims to promote a sustainable energy mix in the Central Asia region in line with EU best practices. To fulfil its mission, SECCA strives to provide for strengthened and more inclusive policy, regulatory and institutional framework for the transition to a sustainable energy system, within a regional context, and focuses on contributing to the fulfilment of international human rights commitments in CA countries, including equal access to energy, and supporting gender inclusive policies and legislation for energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE). The project activities include capacity development for EE and RE deployment, awareness raising on EE and RE, and improving investment climate for EE and RE projects.
For additional information, please contact Mrs Yelena Serebrennikova, Communication strategist, SECCA, email: media@secca.eu, WhatsApp: +77019814020, Mrs Nurgul Smagulova-Dulic, Digital Communication and Media Relations Expert, SECCA, email: nurgul.smagulova@secca.eu, WhatsApp: +77012066760, or the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan: delegation-kazakhstan-pic@eeas.europa.eu.
