As part of a comprehensive environmental reform led by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan in cooperation with the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects (IGTIPC), the system of sectoral Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference documents plays a crucial role. These documents have become a fundamental methodological and practical tool in the transition of enterprises to the system of Integrated Environmental Permits (IEP).
During a meeting dedicated to the implementation of the Environmental Code and the phased introduction of IEP at industrial enterprises, the finalized printed edition of the approved BAT reference documents was presented.
The reference documents cover the TOP 50 facilities of the first category — the largest industrial polluters in terms of total emissions — and include up-to-date technological solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact and aligning with the principles of sustainable development. They describe technological processes, equipment, and management methods that have proven effective in reducing harmful emissions and minimizing environmental harm.
The development of BAT reference documents makes it possible to establish uniform environmental standards for enterprises, ensure transparency and predictability of regulatory requirements, reduce administrative barriers through a harmonized permitting system, and encourage the adoption of modern, environmentally sound technologies in key sectors of the economy.
To date, 20 sector-specific reference documents have been developed, covering major industries such as metallurgy, chemical production, energy, oil and gas, as well as the extractive and processing sectors. These documents reflect modern approaches to environmentally responsible production and serve as practical guidance for the implementation of BAT at industrial facilities.
Some of the reference documents are unique even by international standards and have no analogues within the European Union. Their development involved industry representatives, sectoral associations, research institutions, and government agencies, ensuring a transparent and technically substantiated process.
The BAT reference documents are used in comprehensive environmental assessments of enterprise operations and are a mandatory requirement for obtaining IEPs. According to the Environmental Code of Kazakhstan, starting in 2025, the 50 largest enterprises must implement BAT and obtain IEPs. By 2031, this requirement will extend to all first-category enterprises. Failure to meet the deadlines will result in a progressive increase in environmental payment rates — twofold, fourfold, and eightfold every three years, making delays economically unviable.
Thus, the BAT reference documents are a system-forming element of Kazakhstan’s environmental modernization, aimed at reducing pollution, enhancing technological competitiveness, and achieving the goals of sustainable development.
