The ESG Approach in the Development of Kazakhstan's Agro-Industrial Complex

Kia Nobach, Dias Nakhanov

2026

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DOI 10.51885/3107-2755_ssadh_2026_2_6
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

This article analyzes the role of the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) concept in the development of Kazakhstan's agro-industrial complex (AIC). The study's relevance stems from water scarcity, declining rural employment, and growing requirements for sustainable reporting in agribusiness, including mandatory ESG reporting introduced in Kazakhstan from 2025. The aim is to comprehensively assess how the ESG approach contributes to the development of Kazakhstan's AIC, using data for 2015–2025 and comparisons with international experience. The methodology comprises systematic and comparative analysis of statistical data (departmental reporting, international reviews, industry media) for 2015-2024, grouping of indicators by ESG component, and trend visualization. The results show rapid growth in the area of water-saving technologies applied (from ≈50 to 312.2-470.1 thousand hectares over the decade), a more than threefold increase in labor productivity, and a decline in agriculture's share of greenhouse gasemissions from 27.1% to 12.7%, alongside continued declines in rural employment and high water losses during transportation. The conclusions support further growth of ESG investment (expanding irrigation subsidies, raising labor standards, developing certification systems) to improve the efficiency and sustainability of Kazakhstan's AIC. The study's practical significance lies in the applicability of the indicator system for sectoral policy design and for investors assessing the ESG profile of Kazakhstani agricultural enterprises; its theoretical significance lies in supplementing the limited empirical literature on ESG in Central Asian agriculture. Further research should monitor enterprises' coverage by ESG reporting and evaluate certification mechanisms.