About us
The Central Asia Climate Foundation (CACF) is a charitable foundation registered on 22 February 2024 in the jurisdiction of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The Foundation operates under AIFC law and the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and serves as the institutional, legal and organizational basis for the Central Asia Project Office on Climate Change and Green Energy, as well as for other structures, programs and initiatives in the fields of climate, green energy and environmental protection. The Central Asia Project Office on Climate Change and Green Energy was established on the personal initiative of the Head of State, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, announced at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023. CACF ensures its operations: administrative and organizational functions, project management, fundraising, and engagement with the countries of the region, international organizations and partners. Support for the Project Office is reflected in paragraph 24 of the Declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia adopted in Astana on 22 April 2026.
Operations
• support for policy development and regional cooperation, including a just transition;
• analytical and expert work: research on climate policy, carbon regulation and green finance; assessment of climate and environmental risks; expert review of projects and programs;
• regional climate and environmental projects and initiatives, including: organization of international, regional and national summits, conferences and forums, etc.;
• ESG: methodological support, assessment, consulting and training for organizations on sustainable development and non-financial disclosure;
• climate finance and carbon markets: mobilization of climate, grant and project financing, offset projects; grant support for environmental and climate projects;
• environmental protection: waste management, air and water pollution, land degradation and desertification; participation in the Presidential initiative “Taza Kazakhstan”;
• digital solutions: tools and platforms based on artificial intelligence and geographic information systems for collecting, analyzing and monitoring environmental and climate data;
• education and youth engagement: training and capacity building for specialists, “Green Schools”, volunteering, environmental education;
• promotion of environmental initiatives of government bodies, business, civil society and youth;
• partnerships with international organizations, financial institutions, business and the expert community.
The Foundation is not funded by the Republican Budget: its sources of financing are charitable contributions, sponsorships, grants, funding from international organizations and development institutions, as well as funds received from its statutory activities.
Below, you can review the statutory documents and policies of the Project Office.
Our team
Karazhan Yerlik
CEO, Head of the Project Office
The team composition is being updated
Our mission
Accelerating the climate transition in Central Asia by supporting policies, innovations, and partnerships.
We aim to:
Build partnerships to maximize resources for climate action
Actively participate in the formation and implementation of policies that promote environmental and climate sustainability
Support and develop cooperation among Central Asian countries in addressing climate challenges
Stimulate research and innovation in the field of clean technologies and climate sustainability
Our Objectives
Accelerating regional climate action
Support and implement projects, programs, and initiatives to facilitate climate transition and action, promote best practices for a green economy, and support ecological transition and sustainable development in Central Asia
Enhancing regional climate policy and cooperation
Support the development of climate policies in the region, fostering cooperation among Central Asian countries to address shared climate challenges and opportunities
Supporting policy development
Assist in the development, advocacy, and implementation of policies and regulations that promote environmental sustainability and climate resilience in collaboration with stakeholders
Fostering research and innovation
Encourage and finance research and innovation in clean technologies, climate resilience and transition, and sustainable agriculture practices to create locally adapted solutions for Central Asia's unique climate challenges
Cultivating partnerships and collective action
Stablish partnerships with international financial institutions, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and research institutions to leverage additional expertise, resources, and funding for climate action in Central Asia through the Foundation
Strengthening climate data and science
Support research, data collection, and analysis on climate patterns, impacts, and solutions, facilitating evidence-based policy making and project implementation in Central Asia
Raising awareness and capacity development
Develop the capacity of stakeholders on climate change, promote awareness of the population on challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation, and encourage knowledge sharing in addressing those challenges in the region
