It is often said, “Even if the world ends tomorrow, plant a tree.” The traditional values of preserving nature, creating gardens, and cultivating greenery have taken on new significance and are now being carried out on a larger scale.
Under the guidance of the Head of State, Uzbekistan has initiated the nationwide project “Yashil Makon” (“Green Space”). This project aims to plant millions of trees every year. In 2025, green projects focused on environmental sustainability are planned to be implemented. These proposals have been included in the draft state program for implementing the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy in the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy.
According to this document, special attention will be given to efficient use of water and raw materials, improvement of air and soil quality, sustainable agriculture and forestry, eco-tourism, environmentally friendly transportation, green buildings, renewable energy, and increased energy efficiency.
Implementation of Green Projects
The proposal suggests that by 2025, the share of green components in new projects included in investment programs, sectoral development programs, and regional plans should reach 10%, 25% by 2027, and 50% by 2030. Additionally, green programs developed by government agencies, organizations, and local authorities – aimed at achieving carbon neutrality, adapting to climate change, protecting the environment, increasing green spaces, and implementing sustainability projects – will be approved in coordination with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan.
An annual environmental rating will be conducted to evaluate the reduction of negative environmental impacts by government institutions and social facilities, efficient use of resources, and adoption of green technologies.
Relevance
Climate change in Uzbekistan has resulted in negative natural phenomena such as rising temperatures, melting glaciers, more frequent dust storms, soil salinization, mudslides, expanding drought-affected areas, and other environmental challenges. Investment programs in industries such as manufacturing, energy, construction, transportation, mineral extraction and processing, and new projects for sectoral and regional development have a negative impact on climate change.
Uzbekistan’s average annual air temperature has been increasing at a rate of 0.29 degrees per decade, which is twice the global warming rate. As a result, the glacier area in Central Asia has decreased by approximately 30% over the past 50-60 years. Projections show that by 2050, water resources in the Syrdarya basin could decrease by 5%, while in the Amudarya basin, the reduction could reach up to 15%.
In Uzbekistan, the total water deficit, which was over 3 billion cubic meters before 2015, is projected to reach 7 billion cubic meters by 2030 and 15 billion cubic meters by 2050. Since 1993, Uzbekistan has been a member of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and signed the Paris Agreement in 2017. After ratifying it in 2018, the country committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 compared to 2010 levels per unit of GDP. Currently, 76.3% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy sector, 17.8% from agriculture, 4.5% from industry, and 1.4% from waste management. Uzbekistan’s global greenhouse gas emissions share is 189 million tons or 0.3%.
What are the Benefits of Implementing Green Projects?
Implementing green projects will contribute to adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change, while also facilitating the transition to a green economy. It will also lead to improved water, air, and soil quality. Maintaining an environmental rating for government agencies and social facilities will foster a greater sense of responsibility and involvement among leaders and citizens in preserving the environment.
Muhayyo Toshqorayeva, UzA