To All News From Awareness to Action: How a Private Foundation Is Changing the Environmental Agenda of a Megacity
One year ago, Almaty Air Initiative (AAI) set out with an ambitious goal — to make clean air in Almaty not a dream, but a reality.
Today, the foundation — established by Arsen Tomsky (Founder & CEO of inDrive) and Kairat Akhmetov (Co-Founder of Sergek Group and CEO of Freedom Telecom) — has become a driving force for systemic change in the environmental policy of one of Central Asia’s most polluted cities.
Key Statistics:
- PM2.5 concentration exceeds WHO limits by 5 times
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels are 4 times above safe thresholds
- 201 days per year air poses a health risk; only 164 days meet safety standards
- 56% of residents in northern districts rate air quality as “poor” or “very poor”
A Year of Concrete Action
In 2024–2025, AAI carried out major research projects and field initiatives aimed at systematically studying air pollution and developing actionable solutions.
- Sociological and Field Research
- Surveyed 1,000 Almaty residents on air quality perception and attitudes toward ecology. Conducted a separate survey of 1,000 residents of private housing to analyze heating methods and emission behavior.
- Conducted focus groups with drivers and passengers (Alvin project) to evaluate public perception of LEZ.
- Implemented the “Mystery Shopper” project to assess the integrity of vehicle inspection systems.
- Studied the use and efficiency of catalytic converters among vehicles in the city.
- Scientific and Analytical Work
- Conducted a comprehensive analysis of PM2.5 and NO₂ levels in 2023–2024.
- Tested fuel quality at major gas stations in Almaty.
- Events and International Collaboration
- Organized a seminar on Low-Emission Zones (LEZ) together with UK experts from Logika Group, exploring international case studies and developing a phased implementation plan for Almaty.
- Hosted a workshop on pollution modelling techniques, analyzing terrain, weather, emission height, and time-of-day effects.
- Participated in the drafting of new environmental standards in cooperation with the Almaty Akimat.
- Digital Tools and Data Analytics
Developed a comprehensive air-quality dashboard for Almaty, consolidating data collected since 2023 — now serving as a decision-making and analytical tool for the city.
- Media and Public Awareness
- Released the documentary “Almaty? OK to Live with Smog?” (dir. Kanat Beisekeyev), which became a catalyst for public dialogue with more than 200 thousands views on Youtube
- Produced the YouTube mini-series “Mstítelder” in collaboration with BayGuys (over 1.4 million views in under a month).
- Published media specials on air quality in leading Kazakh outlets such as Tengrinews and Vlast.kz.
- Thanks to the foundation efforts Almaty was included in the global IQAir air-quality ranking, which triggered extensive media coverage. The issue of air pollution appeared in hundreds of publications, attracting significant attention from both the media and the wider public.
Plans for the Next Year:
- Installation of a sensor network to monitor multiple types of pollutants, enabling real-time tracking of air quality and emissions control.
- Development of a digital platform for applied environmental modeling, allowing the identification of contributions from different pollution sources by district and season. Considering Almaty’s geography and climate, the platform will provide a more accurate understanding of pollution patterns and form the basis for effective management decisions and targeted emission reductions in the most affected areas.
- Support for the akimat in developing an information and communication strategy and launching creative public-awareness campaigns, aimed at increasing public understanding and building support for environmental regulatory measures — including the introduction of low-emission zones, a measure that remains unpopular among the population.
- Creation of a toolbox, using Almaty as a model, that can be applied globally to combat air pollution, with the long-term ambition of transforming the project into an international initiative.
- Expansion of collaboration with international organizations and experts.
Zhuldyz Saulebekova, Executive Director, Almaty Air Initiative Foundation:
“We have demonstrated that private initiative can change the rules of the game: openly stating that it is not OK to live with smog, influencing people’s behavior, shaping regulatory reforms, and building cooperation between government, business, and society. This means influencing not only the air, but also the future of 2.5 million residents of our city. There is still much work ahead, but we know one thing for certain: Almaty must breathe clean air.”
