Trends in Atmospheric Emissions in Central Asian Countries Since 1990 in the Context of Regional Development

In Central Asian countries (CACs) atmosphere pollution is increasing due to population growth, economic growth, agricultural development, energy consumption and climate change. The countries of the region developed climate change adaptation strategies—Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). At the same time, regional integration, which should be a necessary condition for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the solving of general environmental problems, is not involved. This article shows the importance of a comprehensive analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) and non-greenhouse emissions into the atmosphere for the entire Central Asian region as a single ecosystem. The energy intensity of national economies structure was chosen as the main factor determining the level of pollution. The analysis shows that over the past 30 years, the main part of the commodity exports (73.6–81.4%) of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan has been fossil natural resources. There is a strong economic dependence on coal and other types of fuel, which leads to atmospheric emissions. The analysis shows that limited financial resources, lack of effective systemic monitoring and control of air quality that meets modern international requirements and standards, leads to absence of tangible changes in practice yet. Over 30 years in CACs, the share of CO2 emissions associated with fuel combustion has not decreased and amounts to 78%. The key mechanisms for reducing atmospheric emissions are significantly increase investments in the transformation of the economies in the context of regional development, interstate cooperation, the introduction of environmental norms, standards harmonized with world ones, green technologies based on alternative energy, sustainable transport and logistics infrastructure.