Positioning Central Asia in the Global AI–Climate Agenda: Chapter Zero Kazakhstan’s Next Phase

In November 2025, Chapter Zero Kazakhstan—together with the Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business—placed the AI–climate nexus on the boardroom agenda during its third Annual Forum.

This was not a one-off conversation. It marked the beginning of a deliberate effort to embed AI-related climate risks and opportunities into corporate governance discussions in Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region.

Today, this work is entering its next phase.

From Dialogue to Structured Agenda

Following the Forum, Chapter Zero Kazakhstan deepened its collaboration with Nazarbayev University, building an academic–practice bridge to further explore the implications of AI for climate governance.

This trajectory has been strengthened through engagement with the Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE), University of Cambridge—a core partner within the Chapter Zero Alliance.

CCE’s 2025 working paper,“Regulating the AI–Climate Nexus: Trends, Emerging Issues, and Ways Forward,”provides one of the first comprehensive mappings of this emerging field.

It makes a critical point:

Artificial intelligence is not only a technological or economic issue—it is increasingly a climate and governance issue, with systemic implications for energy systems, resource use, and regulatory frameworks.

Localizing Global Insight: Expanding Access in Central Asia

To ensure that this global perspective translates into regional action, Chapter Zero Kazakhstan led the Russian-language translation of the working paper, with the approval of the Centre for Climate Engagement.

This is a strategic step—not a technical one.

It enables:

• Broader engagement of regional policymakers and businesses

• Integration of AI–climate considerations into local ESG and governance discussions

• A shift from awareness to application

The translated version is available here:

regulating-the-ai-climate-nexus_ru.pdf

Download PDF • 4.49MB

Regional Leadership in Action: The Ecological Summit in Astana

This work is now being actively brought into the regional policy and expert dialogue through the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana.

With participation from regional stakeholders and international partners—including representation linked to the University of Cambridge—this platform allows Chapter Zero Kazakhstan to:

• Position Central Asia within the global AI–climate discourse

• Surface region-specific risks and opportunities

• Convene cross-sector dialogue between business, academia, and policymakers

This is a critical shift—from importing global ideas to co-shaping the agenda from a regional perspective.

Why This Matters for Boards and Business

The implications of the AI–climate nexus are no longer abstract.

The working paper highlights several developments that are directly relevant for corporate leadership:

• AI is becoming a material ESG factor

  
  

  Its energy consumption, infrastructure demands, and lifecycle impacts will increasingly affect corporate climate strategies.

• Regulation is accelerating—but unevenly

  
  

  Emerging frameworks focus on data centers, energy use, and disclosure, creating new compliance and strategic risks.

• Governance expectations are rising

  
  

  Boards will need to oversee AI not only from a technology and ethics perspective, but also through a climate and sustainability lens.

• Transparency will be a differentiator

  
  

  AI-related environmental impacts are likely to become part of reporting, due diligence, and investor scrutiny.

Establishing a Platform for the Region

This milestone reinforces Chapter Zero Kazakhstan’s role as:

• A regional convening platform on climate governance

• A bridge between global expertise and local implementation

• A driver of board-level awareness on emerging ESG risks

This is not just about contributing to discussions—it is about structuring and advancing them.

What Comes Next

Building on this momentum, Chapter Zero Kazakhstan is:

• Developing a regional policy brief on the AI–climate nexus

• Expanding engagement with business leaders and regulators

• Deepening research on Central Asia-specific implications

• Creating ongoing platforms for dialogue, capacity building, and knowledge exchange

  
  

A Targeted Call for Engagement

We are entering a phase where early engagement will define long-term positioning.

We invite:

• Companies to assess AI-related climate risks and integrate them into governance and strategy

• Policymakers to engage in shaping forward-looking regulatory approaches

• Academic and technical experts to contribute to evidence-based analysis

• Partners and funders to co-develop regional initiatives

  
  

Conclusion

The AI–climate nexus is rapidly emerging as a defining issue for both climate governance and economic transformation.

By connecting global expertise with regional leadership, Chapter Zero Kazakhstan is actively shaping how this agenda evolves in Central Asia—ensuring that technological progress aligns with climate responsibility and long-term resilience.