Project on achieving SDGs of Dmitry Berillo from Satbayev University has reached the semi-final selection for the global acceleration of GCIP Kazakhstan from UNIDO
![Project on achieving SDGs of Dmitry Berillo from Satbayev University has reached the semi-final selection for the global acceleration of GCIP Kazakhstan from UNIDO](/file/2024/08/27/c3027d/_793-446.jpg)
The project led by Dmitry Berillo, an associate professor at Satbayev University in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering within the K. Turysov Institute of Geology and Oil and Gas, has successfully advanced to the semi-finals of the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) Kazakhstan, supported by UNIDO. This achievement aligns with Satbayev University's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as our researchers actively contribute to initiatives fostering sustainable development both nationally and globally.
GCIP is a UNIDO-initiated program that promotes innovation in environmentally friendly technologies and entrepreneurship. In Kazakhstan, it is implemented by the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects. Following a rigorous review of project applications submitted in English via the global GCIP website, 32 green projects from Kazakhstan were selected, including Dmitry Berillo's "BiotechPlantClean" initiative. This project aims to mitigate the environmental and human health impacts of expired pharmaceuticals by developing a new strategy for their disposal, which indirectly reduces CO2 emissions.
As part of this initiative, there are plans to raise public awareness in Kazakhstan about the importance of properly collecting expired medications and supplements, and returning them to hospitals and pharmacies for partial conversion into fertilizers for indoor plants. With support from state media and universities, a large-scale awareness campaign is expected, which will help prevent the contamination of water and soil, and reduce the risk of highly hazardous waste entering the food chain.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the implementation of this innovative solution by D. Berillo could reduce annual carbon monoxide emissions in Kazakhstan by approximately 180 kg, equivalent to 91.616 liters under standard conditions, through the disposal of 100 kg of waste. The environmental impact will vary depending on the volume of waste processed. This startup project contributes to several SDGs, including SDG 6 "Clean Water and Sanitation," SDG 15 "Life on Land," SDG 13 "Climate Action," and SDG 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production."
After the initial phase of the acceleration program, called the GCIP Kazakhstan National Academy, which took place in Astana in late July, participants began online training from August to October. This training aims to enhance the quality of presentations and investor pitches, increasing the likelihood of securing sufficient funding. Project consultants include experts from the American company New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN), which has trained over 1,800 startups worldwide.
The final stage of the GCIP Kazakhstan 2024 acceleration program is scheduled to take place in Astana in December 2024, where the finalists will be selected. Satbayev University extends its best wishes to Dmitry Aleksandrovich Berillo for a successful presentation of the project at the final stage!