We are pleased to announce the release of the International Energy Agency (IEA) report on Clean Energy Innovation Policies in Emerging and Developing Economies! The SDSN Kazakhstan team of researchers - Dr Stefanos Xenarios, Dr Stella Tsani, Dr Aliya Sembayeva and Dr Serik Orazgaliyev, - conducted a national case study article entitled “Energy and industrial transitions, and Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund”, specifically exploring approaches to achieve carbon neutrality and decrease emissions in alignment with the Paris Agreement.
In recent years, energy, climate and development policies in many emerging economies have included ambitious innovation objectives for clean energy technologies. This report presents 11 new case studies of national experiences with policy development and implementation in support of energy innovation in emerging and developing economies. The case studies, authored by national experts, cover a range of technologies and highlight distinct aspects of the energy innovation process across diverse settings in Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.
The chapter on Kazakhstan examines clean innovation policies and support in Kazakhstan focusing on the role of its Sovereign Wealth Fund SAMRUK-KAZYNA. Samruk-Kazyna, which owns industrial and commercial firms accounting for about 40% of national GDP, has initiated several energy innovation initiatives to curb emissions and stimulate economic development in its portfolio, contributing to national carbon reduction efforts. The chapter highlights the unique position of Samruk-Kazyna in Kazakhstan to channel capital towards long-term socioeconomic and environmental objectives in a manner that may not be feasible for private investors in similar emerging market economies. Unlike private investors who face pressure to prioritise short-term returns, the long-term value of Samruk-Kazyna's portfolio is intricately tied to climate change and its enduring effects. This linkage presents an opportunity to integrate climate risk into the core of its corporate strategy while also providing an economic foundation for the nation.
The key findings of the report include:
· Effective innovation ecosystems can look very different depending on a country’s resources and institutional history;
· There is huge potential for all countries to innovate the clean energy technology improvements the world needs, and for international innovation co-operation to support developing countries with their development, climate and energy security goals;
· It is important that domestic policy and international support account for local contexts and identify areas for sharing experiences between governments.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organisation, established in 1974 that was set up under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to provide policy recommendations, analysis and data on the global energy sector.The core activity of the IEA is providing policy advice to its member states and Associated countries to support their energy security and advance their transition to clean energy.
The full report is accessible via the link: https://www.iea.org/reports/clean-energy-innovation-policies-in-emerging-and-developing-economies (the chapter on Kazakhstan is on pp. 139-156).
Acknowledgements: This research project was supported as part of Nazarbayev University’s “Transition to Sustainable Energy Program” implemented by SDSN Kazakhstan in 2022-2023 and funded by Chevron.
In recent years, energy, climate and development policies in many emerging economies have included ambitious innovation objectives for clean energy technologies. This report presents 11 new case studies of national experiences with policy development and implementation in support of energy innovation in emerging and developing economies. The case studies, authored by national experts, cover a range of technologies and highlight distinct aspects of the energy innovation process across diverse settings in Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.
The chapter on Kazakhstan examines clean innovation policies and support in Kazakhstan focusing on the role of its Sovereign Wealth Fund SAMRUK-KAZYNA. Samruk-Kazyna, which owns industrial and commercial firms accounting for about 40% of national GDP, has initiated several energy innovation initiatives to curb emissions and stimulate economic development in its portfolio, contributing to national carbon reduction efforts. The chapter highlights the unique position of Samruk-Kazyna in Kazakhstan to channel capital towards long-term socioeconomic and environmental objectives in a manner that may not be feasible for private investors in similar emerging market economies. Unlike private investors who face pressure to prioritise short-term returns, the long-term value of Samruk-Kazyna's portfolio is intricately tied to climate change and its enduring effects. This linkage presents an opportunity to integrate climate risk into the core of its corporate strategy while also providing an economic foundation for the nation.
The key findings of the report include:
· Effective innovation ecosystems can look very different depending on a country’s resources and institutional history;
· There is huge potential for all countries to innovate the clean energy technology improvements the world needs, and for international innovation co-operation to support developing countries with their development, climate and energy security goals;
· It is important that domestic policy and international support account for local contexts and identify areas for sharing experiences between governments.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organisation, established in 1974 that was set up under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to provide policy recommendations, analysis and data on the global energy sector.The core activity of the IEA is providing policy advice to its member states and Associated countries to support their energy security and advance their transition to clean energy.
The full report is accessible via the link: https://www.iea.org/reports/clean-energy-innovation-policies-in-emerging-and-developing-economies (the chapter on Kazakhstan is on pp. 139-156).
Acknowledgements: This research project was supported as part of Nazarbayev University’s “Transition to Sustainable Energy Program” implemented by SDSN Kazakhstan in 2022-2023 and funded by Chevron.