Harnessing green energy at UNDP Kazakhstan

As a leading agency in the fight against climate change, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is committed to “walk the talk” by demonstrating that it runs its operations in a resources-efficient, sustainable and accountable way.

In 2019, UNDP committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from global operations, including building maintenance, in all UNDP offices by 25 percent by 2025 and by 50 percent by 2030.

Thus, around the world, UNDP is working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use of fuel, electricity, space heating, and cooling. Substantial progress in this direction has been already achieved globally.

The UNDP office in Kazakhstan was no exception, having joined this initiative in 2021 with financial support from UNDP headquarters, as well as from several United Nations agencies, including the office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, the International Organization for Migration and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, whose offices are located in the UN building in Astana.

In September 2021, a solar power plant with a capacity of 25 kW was installed on the roof of the UN building in Kazakhstan.

In 2022, it generated 19,500 kWh, equivalent to a reduction in emissions of 19 tons of CO2. The building's electricity consumption from the municipal grid was 149,740 kW in 2022, so "green" energy accounted for about 15 percent of electricity consumption.

UNDP expects this initiative to serve as an example for local organizations inspiring them to take action to reduce their carbon footprint.

UNDP’s reduction of the carbon footprint in Kazakhstan is achieved both through the installation of renewable energy sources and through the formation of a more environmentally friendly corporate culture within UNDP: for example, holding online and hybrid events, choosing more environmentally friendly types of movement, and transport, sorting out waste, saving energy and heat and planting trees.

This story was brought to you by UNDP Kazakhstan.

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