Carbon calculator

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Achieving carbon neutrality within the framework of implementing the requirements of the Paris Agreement is now an urgent issue in the world. To date, the Paris Agreement has become a turning point in international climate policy. The Republic of Kazakhstan was the first among the CIS countries to ratify this agreement on December 6, 2016 and consistently demonstrates its commitment to the development of a decarbonized economy.

In December 2020, Kazakhstan announced a new goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, confirming its obligations under the Paris Agreement on preventing global temperature growth by more than 1.5–2 °C.

In order to support the initiative of the Head of State K. Tokayev on Kazakhstan achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, the Company is working to reduce its carbon footprint.

In 2022, the Management Board of the Company adopted the Concept of low-carbon development of NC KTZ JSC until 2060.

Approved by the decision of the Management Board of NC KTZ JSC dated December 26, 2022 (Minutes No. 02/49).

The concept of low-carbon development of NC KTZ  JSC until 2060

Currently, NC KTZ JSC has developed a Concept of low-carbon development of NC KTZ JSC for the period up to 2060.

The goal of the Concept is to achieve carbon neutrality by the Company.

The priority objectives of the Concept are:

• defining the Company's goals and objectives to reduce its carbon footprint by 2060;

• determining the directions of technological development to achieve the goals of carbon neutrality;

• assessment of the need for investments and financial resources;

• assessment of key risks and consequences in case of non-fulfillment of the planned energy transfer goals.

The Company's carbon footprint includes direct and indirect emissions:

Dynamics of greenhouse gas emissions in the period from 2019-2023 (coverage area 1, 2), thousand tons of CO2-eq.

Structure of direct emissions by type of installation
 

Direct emissions of greenhouse gases are carried out during the operation of mobile sources (locomotives, railcars, cars) and stationary consumers (boilers, boiler houses, furnaces).

In 2023, the total volume of greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 5,508 thousand tons, including direct emissions – 2,389 thousand tons, indirect emissions – 3,119 thousand tons. Compared to 2022, emissions decreased by 3%, while direct greenhouse gas emissions remained at the same level, and indirect energy emissions decreased by 3%. 

At the same time, according to the Goals and indicators of JSC NC KTZ in the field of occupational safety and health, ecology, approved by the Chief Engineer-Director of the Technical Policy Department of JSC NC KTZ, a goal was set for 2023 to reduce the carbon footprint by 2.5% to the level of 2022 or reduce total greenhouse gas emissions (coverage 1 and 2) from 5,673 to 5,531 thousand tons of CO2 (See Goals and indicators in the field of occupational safety and health, ecology for 2023).

Rail transport is one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport due to its efficient use of resources, lower emissions of harmful gases and low noise and vibration helps to improve air quality and reduce environmental impact.

Electric locomotives using electric power are more environmentally friendly than diesel-powered locomotives. This is because they use energy more efficiently and do not produce harmful emissions.

Electric locomotives account for over 32% of the total number of locomotives, the data is presented in the table below.

The share of electric locomotives from the total number of locomotive fleet, %

Every year, the Company takes measures to reduce its carbon footprint. One of the important measures is the transition to new types of rolling stock, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the Company is introducing EVOLUTION series locomotives, which emit 2.2 times less pollutants than older models. In 2023, KZ8A - 24 units of electric locomotives were introduced, mainline locomotives TE33AS-58 units, mainline locomotives of the 2TE25KM series-14 units, shunting locomotives of the TEM11A series – 1 unit.

Greenhouse gas emission targets within the framework of the Low-carbon Development Concept of NC KTZ JSC until 2060

As part of the implementation of the Concept's activities, it is planned to reduce direct emissions from 1.8 million tons of CO2 to 1.3 million tons, or by 25% of the 2020 level, until 2030. At the same time, in the absence of implementation of energy transfer measures, it increases by 16% due to an increase in diesel fuel consumption in train traction.

Dynamics of the carbon footprint (direct CO2 emissions), million tons