Tengrinews.kz - Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has identified vehicles as the primary factor contributing to Almaty’s environmental issues, responding to a parliamentary inquiry.
According to calculations, vehicles account for 60% of total emissions, releasing 112,735 tons of pollutants annually, including exhaust from both urban and transit transport.
For comparison:
- Industrial enterprises contribute 52,137 tons (27.5%).
- Private homes and bathhouses – 21,274 tons (11%).
- Small and medium businesses – 0.74%.
- Construction sites – 0.76%.
In 2024, environmental monitoring posts detected over 31,600 violations.
To reduce emissions, a ban on purchasing diesel buses was introduced in 2024. Instead, the city acquired 115 electric buses and 770 gas-powered buses, including 170 operated by private carriers. Additionally, the trolleybus fleet was fully renewed with 112 new vehicles.
In 2025, authorities plan to purchase another 200 electric buses and 600 gas-powered buses, increasing the share of eco-friendly transport in the city to 70%.
Despite these efforts, passenger cars remain the dominant mode of transport in Almaty, making up 96.2% of all vehicles. Given this, environmental concerns and fleet modernization remain key priorities.
Previously, Mazhilis Deputy Sergei Ponomarev addressed Olzhas Bektenov with a request in which he expressed concern about the problems of Almaty.