Aruzhan Kaparova is the coordinator of United Central Asian Professionals (UCAP) and the deputy coordinator of SDSN Youth Kazakhstan, actively engaged in climate dialogues and environmental protection. As a final-year student majoring in International Relations and a research assistant, she studies climate change adaptation practices in Central Asia under the guidance of Professor Andrei Semenov at Nazarbayev University.

In a world increasingly affected by climate change, the role of youth in advancing sustainable initiatives has become more important than ever. For Aruzhan Kaparova, a student at Nazarbayev University (NU) and a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, this journey began with a spark of curiosity that evolved into a determination to address some of Kazakhstan’s most pressing environmental challenges.

This initial interest grew through social media and podcasts discussing global environmental issues. However, Aruzhan admits that at the time she wasn’t deeply familiar with the specific environmental challenges in Kazakhstan, focusing more on general global issues and the broader idea of building a “green” society.

University life opened new doors to pursue this growing interest. Despite her first year at NU being online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aruzhan took part in a flash mob dedicated to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Although small, the event introduced her to the mechanisms of global environmental governance and sparked a deeper interest in creating real change.

After the pandemic, Aruzhan joined NU’s Green Society, which at the time was a small organization with limited resources. Nevertheless, the group launched several impactful initiatives focused on individual contributions to sustainability. “We started with recycling campaigns and workshops to raise awareness about carbon footprints,” Aruzhan recalls. By participating in the “Sustainability Living Lab,” a national initiative aimed at promoting sustainable practices in universities, the team developed a project promoting conscious consumption and collaborated with companies to hold competitions.

A course by Professor Nefi became a turning point in her understanding of environmentalism.

This shift in perspective strengthened her resolve to combine local initiatives with policy-based approaches.

Aruzhan’s involvement with the Youth Information Service of Kazakhstan (MISK) added another dimension to her environmental work. “MISK focuses on civil and human rights, and my six years there taught me the power of information and accessibility,” she shares. This journalistic experience inspired Aruzhan to take part in Professor Semenov’s project on urban climate adaptation.

As part of this project, Aruzhan studied the terminology and concepts of climate policy but also faced significant challenges. “We originally wanted to study urban climate adaptation in Kazakhstan, but quickly realized that a lack of open data and limited feedback from institutions made it difficult. We eventually had to broaden the focus to climate change in general,” she notes. Despite these difficulties, Aruzhan remains optimistic about strengthening cooperation with governmental and non-governmental organizations in the future.

As the coordinator of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Youth, Aruzhan has expanded her influence by organizing events and building networks aimed at increasing environmental awareness.

One of her notable achievements was organizing the Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change (LCOY) in September, which brought together students from universities across Kazakhstan to prepare a national youth statement for the UN’s Conference of the Parties (COP29). In collaboration with Nazarbayev University’s Office of Sustainable Development, SDSN also organized workshops on climate literacy and projects related to climate adaptation practices such as regenerative agriculture.

Going beyond Nazarbayev University, SDSN actively partners with schools and universities across the country, building a broader community of environmentally conscious individuals. “We aim to make these conferences and joint projects regular, expanding our reach and creating a more extensive network,” Aruzhan emphasizes.

For Aruzhan, being involved in clubs like Green Society and SDSN has been a truly transformative experience. “Clubs shape your environment, and being part of such communities helps keep you motivated and inspired,” she notes.

Collaborating with peers from different backgrounds has enriched her understanding of environmental issues and inspired innovative projects like the Art-Eco initiative, which she developed with Rabiga Akhmetova, another Green Society member and environmental enthusiast.

Looking to the future, Aruzhan believes that documenting and passing on knowledge is key to sustaining active environmental advocacy.

By combining individual actions with collective and institutional efforts, Aruzhan envisions a future where Kazakhstan’s environmental issues are addressed through informed and sustainable solutions. “We may be one generation, but our diverse experiences and goals can complement each other and lead to meaningful and lasting change,” she concludes.