Almaty plays by new rules: what is changing in air quality management

While public attention was focused on the pre-New Year agenda, on December 30 2025, the Almaty Maslikhat approved one of the most important documents for the city in terms of air quality — the “Rules for the Protection of Atmospheric Air” (hereinafter referred to as the Rules).

The Almaty Air Initiative Fund, which has been participating in discussions on the Rules as part of a working group since May 2024, decided to take a detailed look at the key changes and explain how the adoption of the document will affect air quality in Almaty and the daily lives of its residents.

The essence and key provisions of the new Rules

The Rules for the Protection of Atmospheric Air are a key document that defines how the Almaty City Administration will reduce air pollution in the metropolis. They cover measures for transport and enterprises, low-emission zones, air quality monitoring, and actions during periods of high pollution. The document took about two years to develop, and its adoption became possible after Almaty was granted the right at the maslikhat level to independently introduce measures to improve air quality in April 2024.

The rules will come into force 60 days after the date of publication. The date of publication is January 8, 2026. However, certain provisions of the Rules will be implemented in stages over the next year.

The document covers areas such as:

•  air quality monitoring and the appointment of a responsible organization
•  measures in case of severe air pollution, which intensifies on windless days or when the wind direction is unfavorable — so-called unfavorable meteorological conditions (UMC)
•  new requirements for transport and vehicle fleets
•  legal basis for low-emission zones
•  enhanced control of small and medium-sized pollution sources

1. Digital platform, monitoring, and responsibility for air quality

The city officially appoints an organization (presumably Eco-Almaty) responsible for air quality in Almaty. It monitors air quality for key pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O₃, NO₂, SO₂, CO, formaldehyde, and phenol), collects data from all sensors and stations, interacts with organizations that provide this data, such as the Almaty Air Initiative, combines it into a single system, and displays up-to-date information to residents in real time. The authorized organization is required to publish regular reports, coordinate actions during periods of high air pollution, ensure that data is transmitted correctly, and participate in inspections of enterprises if there are complaints from residents or organizations.

In addition, this organization will be responsible for the operation of a unified digital platform on which up-to-date information on air quality will be published, a response system for increased air pollution will be implemented, low-emission zones will be managed, and violations of environmental requirements will be recorded.

The authorized organization, together with the akimat and the meteorological service, will determine the need to install and review the locations of air quality monitoring devices, primarily in areas with the highest health risks — near busy roads, industrial zones, and social facilities.

The effectiveness of the measures taken is assessed by the reduction in pollution and emission levels, changes in the transport system, and improvements in the health and quality of life of the population, with a mandatory comparison with the base year so that decisions are made on the basis of data rather than assumptions.

2. What happens when there is severe air pollution due to NMOs

When increased air pollution is detected or unfavorable weather conditions are forecast, the responsible organization declares the onset of unfavorable meteorological conditions (UMC) and publishes the information in a digital system. Within an hour, the data is transmitted to the akimat, which promptly informs the population and implements response measures:

– During NMC, enterprises are required to temporarily reduce emissions

– The digital platform is used to forecast NMW, alert residents, businesses, and government agencies, and provide recommendations on necessary actions; if necessary, traffic flow is regulated

– Educational institutions (kindergartens, schools, universities, etc.) are advised to monitor indoor air quality, check ventilation, limit time spent outdoors, cancel outdoor classes, issue masks, and, in the event of a high-level NMU, switch to an online format and maintain communication with parents

– The city also conducts regular drills to ensure that all services are prepared to respond during periods of high air pollution

3. Transportation and vehicle fleets

The city prioritizes the development and renewal of public transport as a measure to reduce air pollution. At the same time, it plans to renew the city’s vehicle fleet as a whole. To this end, economic incentives are planned: cars registered in Almaty before September 1, 2025, can be purchased by the city for disposal. This measure will primarily affect cars with a low environmental class, with the purchase price set annually by the mayor’s office. Additionally, discounts on new cars, free travel passes, and other measures may be provided.

At the same time, measures are being introduced for municipal and private vehicle fleets – they are required to equip vehicles with internal combustion engines with autonomous heaters or electric heaters, regularly conduct internal environmental monitoring of emissions, monitor the condition of purification systems, and submit reports to the authorized organization.

For diesel buses of environmental class 4 and above, the use of reagents to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions with regular reporting is mandatory.

Repeated (more than three times a year) detection of emissions exceeding the standards in vehicles that have passed technical inspection is grounds for revoking the diagnostic card and sending the vehicle for re-inspection and elimination of violations.

4. Low-emission zones

A low-emission zone (hereinafter referred to as the Zone) is being introduced, within which special environmental requirements will apply. The boundaries of the territory have not yet been approved. For example, the following are prohibited in the Zone:

– the burning of household and other waste

– the use of firewood, coal, and liquid fuel in areas where gas is available (except in emergencies)

– setting off fireworks

All sources of emissions, special and municipal equipment must be equipped with and use exhaust gas purification systems, and cleaning and winter maintenance of the territory shall be carried out only by permitted environmentally friendly methods.

One of the announced innovations is technical inspections of vehicles. They are carried out by accredited technical inspection operators using certified equipment and special software that automatically transmits data to the system. The results are recorded electronically, are valid for 12 months, and are displayed on a digital platform. At the same time, the use of technically faulty vehicles is still prohibited in accordance with the requirements of mandatory technical inspection.

Motor vehicles are permitted to travel in the Zone provided they comply with established emission standards and pass a technical inspection. In the future, there are plans to introduce differentiated fees depending on the environmental class of the vehicle. The technical inspection procedure applies to all major types of transport operated in Almaty, including passenger cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles.

Since the results of these inspections determine whether a vehicle can travel within the zones, enhanced controls are in place to prevent abuse: in the event of violations by operators, measures such as contract termination and certificate revocation are applied.

The zone is managed through video and remote control systems, transport accounting, and personal accounts for car owners, with notifications sent via a digital platform and other communication channels. To administer the zone, the local government appoints a state operator who is responsible for monitoring the zone’s boundaries, analyzing traffic flows, evaluating the effectiveness of restrictions, and operating the digital system.

5. Category III enterprises

Special requirements are being introduced for Category III facilities — small and medium-sized enterprises with a moderate impact on the environment (e.g., light and food industries, livestock farming, transport service facilities, and warehouses). They are only allowed to operate if they have equipment for cleaning emissions. At least once every three years, they are required to conduct laboratory measurements at accredited laboratories at their own expense and submit the results to the city’s digital system. When submitting a declaration, facilities indicate sanitary protection zones and submit a plan of environmental protection measures, keep records of emissions, report annually, report emergency emissions, provide access for monitoring, implement measures to reduce pollution, and remove waste in a timely manner. The authorized organization verifies the accuracy of the data, including by visiting the facility, and, if violations are detected, forwards the information to the Department of Ecology for administrative measures to be taken.

6. Control and detection of violations

Authorized bodies, with the involvement of accredited laboratories, will regularly inspect municipal and private vehicle fleets and refer any violations identified to the Department of Ecology for action. Controls will cover not only transport, but also stationary and unorganized sources of emissions, including waste incineration and pyrotechnics, using environmental monitoring stations, measuring devices, drones, and reports from citizens via digital services. The results of violations will be published and forwarded to state authorities for administrative liability.

What are the strengths of the Rules?

• Real powers for the city. The Rules are based on the expanded powers of Almaty and allow the city to autonomously introduce mandatory measures to improve air quality in addition to national legislation.
• A systematic approach is used. Several sources of pollution are covered: transport, enterprises, low-emission zones, monitoring, response to NMUs, and control of violations.
• Emphasis on data and digitalization. A unified platform is being created with automatic data transfer, transparent monitoring, online control, and public reporting.
• Assessment of the effectiveness of measures. Performance indicators (but without clear KPIs) have been established for air, transport, and public health, with a base year for comparison of results.
• Enhanced control. Technical inspections will now have to automatically transmit data, and operators will be held more accountable for violations.
• Expanded understanding of low-emission zones. These affect not only motor vehicles, but also the use of wood and coal, waste incineration, and fireworks.
• Involvement of residents. Open data, notifications, and the ability for citizens to report violations are provided for.

Where restrictions remain

• Risk of operational overload when technical inspections are launched. With the introduction of new requirements, there is a risk that a large number of drivers will be forced to urgently confirm the environmental compliance of their vehicles in order to enter the city or certain areas. An additional factor is the possible duplication of the existing technical inspection, as well as a lack of understanding on the part of residents that this is a separate environmental inspection and not a standard technical inspection. Without a phased rollout, clear admission rules, and clear communication, this could lead to overloaded technical inspection stations, queues, delays, and increased social tension.
• Lack of assessment of the effectiveness of vehicle buybacks. The economic feasibility and environmental impact of the vehicle buyback program require preliminary assessment. Before large-scale implementation, a pilot project is needed to verify the real contribution of the measure to reducing pollution and to compare the costs with the achieved effect.
•  Incomplete coverage of pollution sources. Private households that use coal and waste for heating, one of the significant sources of pollution, are barely affected. Large sources of categories I–II and small sources of category IV (bathhouses, barbecue restaurants, etc.) remain outside the scope of systematic urban control.
•  High dependence on the quality of implementation and coordination. The rules set the framework, but their real effect depends directly on implementation: financing, personnel, quality of control and political will, as well as coordinated interdepartmental work between the akimat, environmental, transport, law enforcement, medical, and IT structures. An additional risk is the high technical and digital load, which requires a stable infrastructure and protection against failures and manipulation.
•  Social sensitivity of measures. Restrictions on transport, fuel, and access to areas may cause resistance from residents and businesses without clear communication, phased implementation, and effective support measures.

Conclusion

The new Air Protection Rules are a significant step forward for Almaty and the result of several years of dedicated work. In essence, the city is moving from general national regulation to its own air quality management policy that takes into account the real conditions in Almaty. It is important to understand that this is the first version of the document: it lays the foundation that will be developed and supplemented as it is implemented and practical experience is gained. The extent to which the effect on air quality will be noticeable will largely depend on the consistency and effectiveness of the implementation of these Rules in practice.