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As Central Asian states navigate ambitious climate commitments, they face structural constraints linked to aging infrastructure, limited grid capacity, and uneven investment environments, raising fundamental questions about the feasibility and pace of the transition. At the same time, the growing involvement of external actors, including China, the European Union, the United States, and Gulf countries, adds a geopolitical dimension to the region’s green transformation. Beyond energy production, the transition also entails broader economic restructuring, requiring new industrial policies, innovation ecosystems, and adaptation strategies for local businesses. Crucially, these shifts carry significant social implications, as reforms in energy pricing and sectoral transformation risk generating public discontent if not carefully managed. This event will provide a platform to reflect on how Central Asia can reconcile these competing pressures and chart a sustainable, inclusive pathway toward green growth.
This seminar is part of a joint series by the Central Asia Program (CAP) and the Asian Economy Center of Civitas University (Warsaw) on environmental and sustainable development challenges in Central Asia. The series promotes dialogue and innovative policy thinking on how the region can advance sustainability amid complex geopolitical and economic transformations.
Speakers:
Dr Łukasz Tolak, Civitas University (Poland)
Green Transition in Asia: Opportunities and Challenges in Central Asia.
Dr Lulu Silas Olan’g, SDU University (Kazakhstan)
The Role of Renewable Energy in Reducing Energy Intensity in Central Asia
Kate Watters, Crude Accountability (USA).
Addressing Climate and Environmental Obstacles to Green Growth Pathways in Kazakhstan
Marcin Popławski, The Opportunity
Social and Political Dimensions of Energy Transition in Central Asia
Moderator:
Sebastien Peyrouse, Central Asia Program.
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