Report on Kazakhstan’s Green Workforce Development for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Challenge of a Just Transition

In alignment with its commitments under the Paris Agreement and its national goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, Kazakhstan is establishing the foundations for low-carbon development. This transition is central to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). A primary challenge in this endeavor is the development of a skilled workforce capable of implementing the nation’s green agenda. This report analyzes Kazakhstan’s capacity to cultivate domestic expertise versus the potential need for foreign specialists, a critical factor for ensuring progress towards SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Global and Regional Context for Green Employment

International Trends in Renewable Energy Jobs

The global transition to a low-carbon economy is a significant driver of job creation, directly supporting SDG 8. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the renewable energy sector’s growth is substantial:

• Global renewable energy employment increased from 13.7 million in 2022 to 16.2 million in 2023.
• China accounts for 46% of the world’s green workforce, reflecting its significant investment in renewable energy.
• Globally, employment by technology in 2023 was led by solar energy (7.1 million jobs), followed by biofuels (2.8 million), hydropower (2.3 million), and wind power (1.5 million).

The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report 2025” identifies the green transition as a primary force transforming the global labor market, with renewable energy and environmental engineering roles among the fastest-growing professions.

Central Asian Perspective

The adoption of green business practices varies regionally. In Central Asia, only 19% of survey respondents consider climate trends highly relevant to their business activities, indicating a potential lag in regional alignment with SDG 13 objectives and the associated economic opportunities under SDG 8.

Kazakhstan’s Green Transition: Strategy and Workforce Analysis

Current Employment in the Renewable Sector

Kazakhstan’s renewable energy sector currently employs 2,105 individuals across 156 facilities. This workforce is distributed as follows:

• Wind Farms: 746 employees
• Solar Power Plants: 671 employees
• Hydroelectric Plants: 661 employees

Additionally, several thousand professionals are employed in related governmental, financial, academic, and engineering organizations focused on advancing renewable energy, contributing to a specialized labor market under SDG 7 and SDG 8.

Gender Disparity in the Green Workforce

A significant challenge is the underrepresentation of women, who constitute only 292 workers, or approximately 14% of the sector’s workforce. This highlights the need for targeted policies to ensure the green transition also advances SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Future Projections and Strategic Partnerships

Kazakhstan anticipates substantial growth in green employment, with projections of 12,000 jobs by 2030. This growth will be driven by major projects, including:

• 91 new renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 2,258 megawatts planned by 2030.
• Large-scale projects with a combined capacity of 3.8 gigawatts developed in collaboration with international partners such as Masdar, TotalEnergies, China Power, and China Energy.

These collaborations are a practical application of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) to accelerate the transition to clean energy.

Aligning Education with Sustainable Development Goals

Development of Relevant Educational Programs

To meet the rising demand for green skills, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education has focused on aligning academic offerings with industry needs, a key component of SDG 4 (Quality Education). The national register of educational programs now includes 33 new programs in energy, such as:

• Renewable Energy
• Hydropower
• Strategic Management of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
• Energy and Environmental Engineering
• Hydrogen Energy Technologies

Universities have been granted autonomy to develop and update these programs in close cooperation with employers, ensuring curricula are responsive to market demands and the objectives of SDG 7 and SDG 13.

Integration with Core Energy Education

Leading academic institutions, including Nazarbayev University, Almaty Energy and Telecommunication University, and Satbayev University, are integrating renewable energy specializations into core electric and heating power curricula. This approach ensures a gradual, evolutionary energy transition supported by a well-prepared workforce.

Future Skills Requirements and Emerging Professions

Anticipated Skills Shortages

The rapid technological evolution within the green sector may lead to skills shortages. Future demand is expected to be high for professionals specializing in:

• Energy storage systems
• Smart grid technologies
• Green hydrogen

Emerging Professions: Hydrogen and Nuclear Energy

The national “atlas of new professions” has identified the emerging role of “hydrogen energy engineer.” In response, master’s degree programs focusing on hydrogen technologies are now offered at Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Shakarim University, and Yessenov University. Furthermore, to support the development of its first nuclear power plant, Kazakhstan is building a skilled nuclear energy workforce. This initiative, crucial for diversifying its low-carbon energy mix under SDG 7, involves:

• The establishment of a branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
• A new “Uranium Business” program at the Kazakh-British Technical University, developed in partnership with Kazatomprom, demonstrating a commitment to SDG 17.

Commitment to a Just Transition and Social Equity

Policy Framework for a Fair Transition

Kazakhstan’s carbon neutrality strategy explicitly incorporates the principle of a “just transition,” ensuring that workers in fossil fuel industries are not left behind. This commitment is fundamental to achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The strategy mandates social protection measures, retraining, and the creation of new jobs in low-emission sectors for affected workers.

Implementation Measures

To operationalize a fair transition, the government is implementing several key measures:

1. Developing retraining and reskilling programs in renewable energy, hydrogen, and carbon asset management.
2. Establishing regional training centers in partnership with universities and colleges.
3. Engaging the private sector and international organizations in pilot internship and employment initiatives.
4. Utilizing carbon pricing and market mechanisms to drive structural economic change and fund transition programs.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

Kazakhstan’s shift to a clean energy economy is an imperative for achieving its national climate targets and contributing to global Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7, SDG 8, and SDG 13. The success of this transition is contingent upon the strategic development of human capital. While significant progress has been made in aligning the educational system with the needs of the green economy, sustained investment and policy focus are required to ensure that the domestic workforce can meet the escalating demand for green skills and facilitate a just and equitable transition for all citizens.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article extensively discusses the need to adapt Kazakhstan’s education system to support the green transition. It highlights the creation of new educational programs and the importance of training, upskilling, and reskilling the workforce for jobs in renewable energy, hydrogen technology, and nuclear power.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article touches upon gender disparity within the green workforce by explicitly stating, “Women still comprise a smaller portion of the green workforce, accounting for 292 workers, or around 14%.” This highlights the challenge of ensuring equal opportunities in this emerging sector.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The core theme of the article is Kazakhstan’s shift towards a low-carbon economy, driven by the development of renewable energy sources. It details plans for new wind, solar, and hydroelectric projects and discusses the role of nuclear energy as a low-carbon alternative, directly aligning with the goal of increasing the share of clean energy.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article focuses on the creation of “green jobs” as a key outcome of the energy transition. It provides current employment figures in the renewable sector, projects future job growth (“by 2030, Kazakhstan could have 12,000 green jobs”), and discusses the importance of a “fair transition” to protect and retrain workers from the fossil fuel industry.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The development of 156 renewable energy facilities and plans for large-scale projects represent a significant upgrade to the country’s energy infrastructure. The article also points to technological innovation by mentioning the need for professionals in “energy storage systems and smart grid technologies” and the emergence of new fields like “hydrogen energy.”

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The entire context of the article is framed by Kazakhstan’s climate commitments. The country’s efforts are driven by its obligations under the Paris Agreement and its national strategy to “achieve carbon neutrality by 2060,” which is a direct measure to combat climate change.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article mentions numerous collaborations essential for achieving the green transition. This includes partnerships with international companies like “Masdar, TotalEnergies, China Power, and China Energy” for large-scale projects and collaborations with international universities from Russia, Türkiye, and South Korea to develop educational programs in nuclear energy.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment

   The article directly addresses this target by describing the government’s efforts to prepare a skilled workforce. It notes that “the register of educational programs… now includes 33 new programs in the field of energy” and discusses the development of courses in renewable energy, hydrogen technology, and nuclear power to meet market demand.

2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities

   The article highlights the relevance of this target by pointing out the low participation of women in Kazakhstan’s green workforce (14%). While not detailing specific policies to address this, identifying the gap is the first step toward ensuring women have equal opportunities in this growing economic sector.

3. Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

   Kazakhstan’s plans align with this target. The article states the country “plans to launch 91 renewable energy projects” and will develop “large-scale renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 3.8 gigawatts,” demonstrating a clear strategy to increase its renewable energy capacity.

4. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all

   The focus on creating “approximately 12,000 temporary jobs” through new renewable energy projects supports this target. Furthermore, the “fair transition” strategy, which includes “retraining and reskilling programs” for workers from fossil fuel industries, aims to ensure that the economic shift provides decent work opportunities for all affected individuals.

5. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable

   The article describes the construction of renewable energy facilities and the future need for “energy storage systems” and “smart grid technologies.” This represents a direct effort to upgrade national energy infrastructure with clean and environmentally sound technologies.

6. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

   The article is premised on Kazakhstan’s national strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This policy, which guides the country’s energy transition, job training, and industrial development, is a clear example of integrating climate action into national planning.

7. Target 17.6: Enhance international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation

   The article provides concrete examples of this target in action, such as the development of large-scale renewable projects with “international companies, including Masdar, TotalEnergies” and the establishment of educational programs in partnership with foreign institutions like “Sakarya University in Türkiye, Tomsk Polytechnic University… and Pusan National University in South Korea.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 4 (Quality Education)

  The article provides specific numbers that can be used as indicators, such as the “33 new programs in the field of energy” added to the national register of educational programs. The emergence of new specializations like “hydrogen energy engineer” also serves as a qualitative indicator of the education system’s responsiveness.

• Indicators for SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

  A clear quantitative indicator is provided: the “proportion of women in the green workforce,” which is stated as “around 14%” (292 workers). This figure serves as a baseline to measure future progress toward gender equality in the sector.

• Indicators for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

  Progress can be measured by the “number of renewable energy facilities” (currently 156) and the “total installed capacity” of new projects planned by 2030 (2,258 megawatts plus 3.8 gigawatts).

• Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

  The article provides several indicators: the “number of people employed in the renewable energy sector” (currently 2,105), the breakdown of jobs by technology (746 in wind, 671 in solar, 661 in hydro), and the “projected number of temporary jobs” to be created (approximately 12,000).

• Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

  The primary indicator is the country’s commitment to a specific, long-term climate goal: “to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.” Progress can be measured against this national target.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: astanatimes.com