ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN – University teachers of Central Asia (CA), representatives of the Delegations of European Union (EU) in CA, and Kazakh-German University (DKU) gathered for an online Closing Ceremony to recognise the participants of the Academic School on Environmental Economics (ASEE).
Overall, 32 university teachers from Central Asia received the online training from the European and regional experts on environmental economics, sustainable development, circular economy, ecosystem services, as well as examined the case studies from the EU and opportunities for Central Asia during the 3-week intensive studies.
The ASEE has been established at DKU with an aim to share the EU experience on green finance and innovative economic tools and incentives to achieve ambitious targets of circular economy.
It was organised with the support of the EU-funded project “European Union – Central Asia: Water, Environment and Climate Change Cooperation” (WECOOP).
The European Union recognises that climate and environmental protection is a driver for green growth, a healthy planet and improved wellbeing for all life on Earth. In line with the European Green Deal, the EU is determined to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. It has already succeeded in breaking the link between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic growth: in the period of 1990-2018, the GHG emmissions fell by 23 % in the EU, while the GDP grew by 61 %. In 2020, the European Commission presented its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 55 % by 2030 compared to the 1990 levels. With this new level of ambition for the next decade, the EU is moving confidently towards its climate goal.
In this regard, Mr Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, stated: “The EU is advancing towards a regenerative growth model, decoupling economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation, and accelerating the transition to a circular economy. We encourage our partners in Central Asia to do the same and stand ready to share the EU experience and expertise. I wholeheartedly congratulate the participants of this Academic School on Environmental Economics on the successful completion of their studies and hope that the gained knowledge and new sklls would be useful in educating and raising the future generation of environmental leaders”.
According to OECD, environmental policy correlates with the economic performance. Protecting and restoring natural capital is directly relevant to the economy, providing up to 30% of the climate solution and with around half of the GDP depending on it.
Background: The EU-funded project “European Union – Central Asia Water, Environment and Climate Change Cooperation” (WECOOP) (third phase from October 2019 to October 2022) aims to enhance environment, climate change and water policies at national levels in Central Asia through approximation to EU standards and to promote investments in relevant sectors with the aim of contributing to measurable reductions in man-made pollution, including CO2 emission. The project activities include support to the EU–CA Platform for Environment and Water Cooperation and its Working Group on Environment and Climate Change, as well as implementation of the EU Green Deal’s international dimension in Central Asia to advance climate action.
For additional information, please contact
Mrs Yelena Serebrennikova
WECOOP Senior Communication Expert
email: media@wecoop.eu
mobile/WhatsApp +77019814020
Ms Nurgul Smagulova
WECOOP Event and Communication Officer
email: nurgul.smagulova@wecoop.eu
mobile/WhatsApp +77012066760
Ms Elnura Abakanova
Communications Officer
EU Delegation to Kazakhstan
email: elnura.abakanova@eeas.europa.eu
ASEE materials: https://wecoop.eu/events/asee/