To All News 
While public attention was focused on the run-up to the New Year, on December 30, 2025, the Almaty Maslikhat approved one of the city’s most important documents on air quality — the Air Protection Rules (hereinafter, the “Rules”).
The Almaty Air Initiative Foundation, which has participated in discussions on the Rules as part of the working group since May 2024, has taken a closer look at the key changes and explains how the adoption of the document may affect air quality in Almaty and the everyday lives of its residents.
The Essence and Key Provisions of the New Rules
The Air Protection Rules are a key document defining how the Almaty city administration will work to reduce air pollution across the city. They cover measures related to transport and businesses, low-emission zones, air quality monitoring, and actions to be taken during periods of severe pollution. The Rules were developed over approximately two years, and their adoption became possible after Almaty was granted the authority in April 2024 to introduce its own air quality improvement measures at the Maslikhat level.
The Rules enter into force 60 days after their publication. They were published on January 8, 2026. Certain provisions will be introduced gradually over the following year.
The document covers the following areas:
— air quality monitoring and the appointment of a designated organization responsible for air quality management;
— measures during severe air pollution episodes, particularly when pollution is exacerbated by calm winds or unfavorable wind direction — conditions known as adverse meteorological conditions (AMCs);
— new requirements for vehicles and vehicle fleets;
— a legal framework for low-emission zones;
— enhanced oversight of small and medium-sized pollution sources.
1. Digital Platform, Monitoring, and Responsibility for Air Quality
The city will officially appoint an organization — presumably Eco-Almaty — responsible for air quality management in Almaty. It will monitor concentrations of key pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O₃, NO₂, SO₂, CO, formaldehyde, and phenol), collect data from all sensors and monitoring stations in cooperation with organizations that provide such data, including Almaty Air Initiative, integrate the data into a single system, and provide residents with up-to-date information in real time.
The designated organization will be required to publish regular reports, coordinate actions during periods of severe air pollution, ensure that data is transmitted correctly, and participate in inspections of businesses when complaints are submitted by residents or organizations.
In addition, the organization will be responsible for operating a unified digital platform that will publish up-to-date air quality information, support a response system for periods of elevated pollution, manage low-emission zones, and record violations of environmental requirements.
Together with the Akimat and the meteorological service, the designated organization will determine where air quality monitoring devices need to be installed or relocated, prioritizing areas with the greatest health risks — including locations near busy roads, industrial zones, and public facilities.
The effectiveness of the measures introduced will be assessed based on reductions in pollution levels and emissions, changes in the transport system, and improvements in public health and quality-of-life indicators. Results must be compared against a baseline year to ensure that decisions are based on data rather than assumptions.
2. What Happens During Severe Air Pollution Caused by Adverse Meteorological Conditions
When elevated air pollution is detected or adverse weather conditions are forecast, the designated organization declares the onset of adverse meteorological conditions (AMCs) and publishes the information through the digital system. Within one hour, the data must be transmitted to the Akimat, which then promptly informs the public and introduces response measures:
— During AMCs, businesses are required to temporarily reduce their emissions.
— The digital platform is used to forecast AMCs, notify residents, businesses, and government authorities, and provide recommendations on necessary actions. Traffic flows may also be regulated where necessary.
— Educational institutions, including kindergartens, schools, and universities, are advised to monitor indoor air quality, inspect ventilation systems, limit time spent outdoors, cancel outdoor activities, provide masks, and, during severe AMCs, switch to online learning and maintain communication with parents.
— The city will also regularly conduct emergency preparedness drills to ensure that all relevant services are ready to respond during periods of severe air pollution.
3. Transport and Vehicle Fleets
The city is prioritizing the development and modernization of public transport as a measure to reduce air pollution. At the same time, Almaty plans to modernize its vehicle fleet more broadly.
Economic incentives are planned to support this transition. Vehicles registered in Almaty before September 1, 2025, may be purchased by the city for scrapping. The measure will primarily target vehicles with lower environmental classifications, with the purchase price to be set annually by the Akimat. Additional incentives may include discounts on new vehicles, free public transport passes, and other support measures.
At the same time, new requirements are being introduced for municipal and private vehicle fleets. Vehicles with internal combustion engines must be equipped with auxiliary heaters or electric preheaters. Fleet operators must regularly conduct internal environmental emissions monitoring, ensure that emission-control systems are properly maintained, and submit reports to the designated organization.
Diesel buses meeting Euro 4 emissions standards or higher will be required to use reagents designed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and provide regular reporting on their use.
If a vehicle that has passed a technical inspection is found to exceed applicable emissions standards more than three times within one year, this will constitute grounds for revoking its diagnostic certificate and requiring the vehicle to undergo a new inspection and remedy the identified violations.
4. Low-Emission Zones
A low-emission zone (hereinafter, the “Zone”) will be introduced, with specific environmental requirements applying within its boundaries. The boundaries of the Zone have not yet been approved.
For example, the following activities will be prohibited within the Zone:
— burning household and other waste;
— using firewood, coal, or liquid fuels in areas connected to the gas network, except in emergencies;
— setting off fireworks.
All emission sources, specialized vehicles, and municipal equipment operating within the Zone must be equipped with and use exhaust gas treatment systems. Street cleaning and winter maintenance must be carried out exclusively using approved environmentally friendly methods.
One of the announced innovations is the introduction of vehicle environmental inspections. These inspections will be conducted by accredited technical inspection operators using certified equipment and specialized software that automatically transmits data to the system.
Inspection results will be issued electronically, remain valid for 12 months, and be displayed on the digital platform. At the same time, the use of technically defective vehicles remains prohibited under existing mandatory vehicle inspection requirements.
Vehicles will be permitted to travel within the Zone provided they comply with established emissions standards and have passed the required environmental inspection. A differentiated fee based on a vehicle’s environmental classification is also planned for future introduction.
The environmental inspection procedure will apply to all major types of vehicles operating in Almaty, including passenger cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles.
Because the ability of a vehicle to travel within the Zone will depend on the results of these inspections, enhanced oversight is envisaged to prevent abuse. Operators found to have committed violations may face measures including termination of contracts and revocation of certificates.
The Zone will be managed through video and remote monitoring systems, vehicle registration and tracking, and individual online accounts for vehicle owners. Notifications will be sent through the digital platform and other communication channels.
The Akimat will appoint a government operator to administer the Zone. The operator will be responsible for monitoring the Zone’s boundaries, analyzing traffic flows, assessing the effectiveness of restrictions, and operating the digital system.
5. Category III Enterprises
Special requirements will be introduced for Category III facilities — small and medium-sized businesses with a moderate environmental impact, such as light and food manufacturing businesses, livestock operations, vehicle service facilities, and warehouses.
These facilities will only be permitted to operate if they have appropriate emissions-control equipment. At least once every three years, they will be required to commission laboratory measurements at their own expense through accredited laboratories and submit the results to the city’s digital system.
When filing environmental declarations, facilities must specify their sanitary protection zones and provide an environmental action plan. They must also keep records of emissions, submit annual reports, report accidental emissions, provide access for monitoring, implement pollution-reduction measures, and ensure the timely removal of waste.
The designated organization will verify the accuracy of the submitted data, including through on-site inspections. If violations are identified, the information will be forwarded to the Department of Ecology for administrative action.
6. Monitoring and Detection of Violations
Authorized government bodies, with the involvement of accredited laboratories, will regularly inspect municipal and private vehicle fleets. Any violations identified will be referred to the Department of Ecology for further action.
Monitoring will cover not only transport but also stationary and fugitive emission sources, including waste burning and the use of pyrotechnics. Environmental monitoring stations, measuring equipment, drones, and reports submitted by residents through digital services will be used to identify violations.
Information on identified violations will be made public and forwarded to government authorities for the application of administrative penalties.
What Are the Strengths of the Rules?
— The city now has real authority. The Rules build on Almaty’s expanded powers and allow the city to independently introduce mandatory air quality improvement measures in addition to those established under national legislation.
— A systemic approach is being applied. The Rules address multiple sources and aspects of pollution, including transport, businesses, low-emission zones, monitoring, responses to adverse meteorological conditions, and enforcement.
— Strong emphasis on data and digitalization. A unified platform will enable automatic data transmission, transparent monitoring, online oversight, and public reporting.
— The effectiveness of measures will be assessed. The Rules introduce performance indicators — although without clearly defined KPIs — covering air quality, transport, and public health, with a baseline year used to compare results.
— Stronger oversight. Environmental vehicle inspections will be required to transmit data automatically, while operators will face greater accountability for violations.
— A broader approach to low-emission zones. The Zones will not be limited to motor vehicles: restrictions will also cover the use of firewood and coal, waste burning, and fireworks.
— Public participation. The Rules provide for open data, public notifications, and mechanisms enabling residents to report violations.
Where Do Limitations Remain?
— Risk of operational overload when environmental vehicle inspections are introduced. Once the new requirements take effect, there is a risk that large numbers of drivers will simultaneously need to urgently demonstrate that their vehicles comply with environmental standards in order to enter the city or specific zones.
Another potential issue is the overlap with the existing mandatory technical inspection system, as well as a lack of public understanding that the new procedure is a separate environmental inspection rather than a standard vehicle inspection.
Without a phased rollout, clear eligibility and access rules, and effective public communication, the system could lead to overloaded inspection stations, queues, delays, and increased social tension.
— No assessment of the effectiveness of the vehicle buyback program. The economic feasibility and environmental impact of the vehicle buyback program require prior assessment. Before the program is implemented at scale, a pilot project should be conducted to determine its actual contribution to reducing pollution and compare the costs involved with the results achieved.
— Incomplete coverage of pollution sources. Private households that use coal and waste for heating — one of the significant sources of pollution — receive limited attention. Major Category I–II sources and small Category IV sources, such as bathhouses and shashlik restaurants, also remain outside systematic municipal oversight.
— Strong dependence on implementation quality and coordination. The Rules establish a framework, but their actual impact will depend directly on implementation — including funding, staffing, the quality of enforcement, political will, and effective coordination among the Akimat, environmental, transport, law enforcement, healthcare, and IT authorities.
The significant technical and digital burden is another potential risk, requiring resilient infrastructure and safeguards against system failures and manipulation.
— Social sensitivity of the measures. Restrictions affecting transport, fuel use, and access to designated zones may face resistance from residents and businesses unless they are accompanied by clear communication, phased implementation, and effective support measures.
Conclusion
The new Air Protection Rules represent a significant step forward for Almaty and the result of several years of focused work.In essence, the city is moving away from relying solely on general national regulation toward developing its own air quality management policy tailored to Almaty’s specific conditions.It is important to recognize that this is the first version of the document. It establishes a foundation that can be further developed and expanded as the Rules are implemented and practical experience accumulates.How significant the improvement in air quality ultimately proves to be will depend largely on how consistently and effectively these Rules are implemented in practice.