Air Issue in Almaty to be Resolved by Halyk and Arsen Tomsky's Foundation's Initiative
Leading Kazakhstan bank Halyk Bank and private fund Almaty Air Initiative have entered into a cooperation agreement to enhance Almaty's air quality and combat pollution.
The agreement, signed by Umut Shayakhmetova, Halyk Bank's Chairperson of the Management Board, and co-founder of the fund, Arsen Tomsky, aims to address the escalating pollution in Almaty. According to Kazhydromet, the city has seen a significant increase in air pollution levels over the years, with transition from high to very high levels by the end of 2024. This shift was associated with the average annual concentration of PM2.5 particles in 2021 hitting 24.08 micrograms per cubic meter—nearly five times the World Health Organization (WHO) norms.
Halyk Bank and Almaty Air Initiative plan to collaborate in various areas, such as promoting awareness through creative projects, conducting research, monitoring the environmental situation, and supporting and promoting eco-friendly infrastructure changes. Halyk Bank has been an early advocate of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and has invested in various sustainable development projects for years. Previously, the bank funded the gasification of hundreds of homes in Almaty and Astana, engaged in 'green financing', and supported renewable energy development.
For the first stage of their collaboration, Halyk Bank has allocated 100 million tenge for specific tasks such as equipment installation, research, and awareness-raising campaigns. The Almaty Air Initiative is also part of the working group of the city's akimat, developing the "Rules for the State of Atmospheric Air in the City of Almaty." Together, they are working on an information and communication campaign to establish low-emission zones (LEZ) in Almaty.
Arsen Tomsky of the Almaty Air Initiative emphasized the importance of collective action to achieve cleaner air, stating that their collaboration with Halyk Bank allows them to implement their ideas on a larger scale and within a shorter timeframe. He also highlighted the fund's objective of systematizing and implementing the best global practices in Almaty, using cities like Beijing and London as examples of significant progress made in addressing air pollution.
The collaborative effort between Halyk Bank and Almaty Air Initiative is part of a broader effort to address environmental challenges in Kazakhstan. By partnering with the fund, Halyk Bank is showing its commitment to social responsibility and enhancing the quality of life for Almaty's residents.
The collaborative agreement between Halyk Bank and Almaty Air Initiative aims to combat climate-change and improve Almaty's air quality, particularly in relation to the escalating pollution levels in the city. Recognizing the need for eco-friendly infrastructure and research in this field, Halyk Bank, an advocate of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, will support the initiative with a 100 million tenge investment for specific tasks. This partnership aligns with the Almaty Air Initiative's objective of implementing global best practices to address air pollution, as exemplified by the progress made in cities like Beijing and London.
