The Akim of Almaty, Yerbolat Dosaev, shared plans to improve air quality in the city, as reported by a correspondent from the business information center Kapital.kz, citing the press service of the akimat.
“We have developed a program for 2025–2027 and hope that by reducing industrial emissions and regulating the transport sector, we can achieve significant results,” he noted during a meeting with residents of the Medeu district.
Following the example of the largest megacities in the world, Almaty plans to increase parking fees and create low-emission zones. This issue will be brought up for discussion at the public council and maslikhat. It is expected that entry into such zones for vehicles that do not meet modern environmental standards will incur a fee. However, owners of electric and eco-friendly vehicles will not be affected by these restrictions.
Additionally, the akim emphasized the importance of developing underground and surface rapid public transport, as well as constructing transport interchange hubs to enhance urban mobility.
It was previously reported that the primary air pollutant in Almaty is road transport, which is why in the first half of 2025, there are plans to develop and approve regulations for the protection of the city's atmospheric air.
A study by the Almaty Air Initiative revealed that air pollution in Almaty is perceived by residents as a threat to health (especially children's health), leads to distrust of authorities, and contributes to increased migration. One in six Almaty residents is considering relocating due to poor environmental conditions, with this figure being even higher among entrepreneurs and parents of children under 18.