Climate change is one of the most serious threats to the sustainable development and well-being of mankind in the XXI century. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the average global surface temperature of the earth has increased by 1.1°C compared to the pre-industrial period, and the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has reached record levels.

As noted in the IPCC report, an increase in temperature leads to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which pose a serious threat to all mankind. Experts offer various proposals for adaptation to climate change, which can be an effective solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide broader benefits.

Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian countries, is at high risk from climate change, which threatens its economic and social development, as well as the security and well-being of its population. The country depends on water resources originating from mountain glaciers, which are subject to intense melting. In addition, Uzbekistan is facing problems of desertification, soil erosion, degradation of forests and pastures, as well as a high energy intensity of the economy and a low share of renewable energy sources. Uzbekistan attaches particular importance to the implementation of national measures and actions to combat climate change, as well as cooperation with international partners in this area.

Uzbekistan is a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, which are the main international documents in this area.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international agreement signed by more than 180 countries of the world, with the aim of cooperation in solving the problem of global warming and its negative consequences for nature and humanity. Since joining the UNFCCC on June 20, 1993, Uzbekistan has been actively participating in multilateral efforts to contain and adapt to climate change.

In 2017, Uzbekistan signed the Paris Agreement, which is an addendum to the UNFCCC and sets a common goal to limit the growth of the average global temperature below 2 °C compared to pre-industrial levels. Under the Paris Agreement, Uzbekistan pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 compared to the baseline level of 2010.

To achieve this goal, Uzbekistan is implementing a number of projects and programs aimed at improving energy efficiency, developing renewable energy sources, protecting forests and biodiversity, improving water resources management, adapting agriculture to climate change and increasing public awareness and participation in this process.

Uzbekistan also regularly participates in the Conferences of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP), which are the supreme decision-making body for the further development and implementation of the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

At the 26th Conference of the Parties, which was held in Glasgow (UK) in November 2021, Uzbekistan supported the adopted joint Declaration on forests and Land Use, and also expressed its readiness for further cooperation with the international community to promote the "green" agenda and curb climate change.

As part of the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Uzbekistan is making significant efforts to fulfill its obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, conducts a comprehensive climate change policy, which includes the following areas:

1. Improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy sources.

Uzbekistan aims to reduce the energy intensity of its GDP by 50% by 2030 compared to 2010, as well as accelerate the development of renewable energy sources and increase their share in electricity generation from 5 to 30% over the next 7 years. To this end, Uzbekistan is implementing a number of projects to modernize thermal and hydroelectric power plants, introduce energy-saving technologies and equipment, develop solar, wind and biomass energy, as well as to raise awareness and qualifications of specialists and the population in this area.

Only this year Uzbekistan plans to put into operation renewable energy sources with a total capacity of 4,300 megawatts.

2. Protection and restoration of forests and biodiversity.

Uzbekistan recognizes the importance of forests and biodiversity for mitigation and adaptation to climate change, as well as for ensuring ecological balance, food security, health and well-being of the population. Uzbekistan is conducting a large-scale landscaping program, which provides for the planting of more than 2 billion trees by 2030, as well as for the creation and strengthening of a national system of specially protected natural territories, which should cover 10% of the country's area by 2030.

3. Improvement of water resources management and adaptation of agriculture to climate change.

Uzbekistan is facing difficult tasks to ensure water security and food independence in conditions of limited and unstable water resources, as well as to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment. The country is taking measures for the rational use and protection of water resources, including rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, introduction of water-saving technologies, strengthening international cooperation on transboundary water flows, as well as adaptation of agriculture to climate change.

In particular, in the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, tasks are set to save at least seven billion cubic meters of water through the efficient use of water resources; reduce electricity consumption at water facilities; introduce a water management system based on public-private partnership.

An important mechanism for regional cooperation in this area is the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, the Council of the Heads of the Founding States of which was held on September 15 this year in Dushanbe. During the meeting, the Parties advocated the development and implementation of joint projects and programs involving external investments. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M.Mirziyoyev also called for strengthening cooperation between the IFAS member countries in the field of rational water use, identifying it as one of the priorities of the fund's activities.

4. Increasing resilience and adaptation to climate change in other sectors.

Activities related to mitigation and adaptation measures to the effects of climate change are reflected in almost all sectoral strategies, plans and development programs of the country. In particular, in the Strategy for the Management of Solid Household Waste for the period 2019-2028, the Strategy for the Development of Agriculture for 2020-2030, the Concept of Environmental Protection until 2030, the Concept of providing electric energy for 2020-2030, etc.

Measures to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change are being successfully implemented in the republic, including 15 projects of the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol. Over the entire period of these projects, 15.3 thousand tons of certified emission reductions have been put into circulation in Uzbekistan and foreign private investments worth $24.4 million have been attracted.

According to the World Bank report, by 2030, at least 8 million residents of the country will live in regions where the risk of climate disasters is high. According to experts, the successful implementation of programs aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of climate change requires large investments. The total amount of such financing may amount to about $60 billion.

Uzbekistan actively participates in multilateral efforts to counter global environmental challenges. In particular, the speech of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on September 19 this year at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly once again showed that the republic is interested in preventing environmental disasters and adapting to the effects of climate change. In particular, it was noted that against the background of the growing global crisis caused by global warming, Central Asia, which continues to struggle with the tragedy of the Aral Sea, is becoming one of the most vulnerable regions to natural disasters.

On November 13-17 this year, the 21st meeting of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification was held in Samarkand, which was attended by about 500 delegates from 196 countries and the European Union, representatives of civil society and academia.

Next year, an International Climate Forum will be held here, where a draft resolution of the UN General Assembly on supporting the efforts of Central Asian countries to combat climate threats will be discussed.

In addition, the delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan will take part in the World Summit on Actions in the Field of Combating Climate Change within the framework of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held on December 1-2 this year in Dubai. According to experts, this forum will help unite the efforts of the international community in the field of countering climate change and mitigating its consequences, as well as the transition to green energy.

In this context, against the background of the actualization of the international climate agenda, the active interaction of Uzbekistan and the UN in the field of climate change, as well as the long-term policy implemented by Uzbekistan in the field of environmental protection and maintaining ecological balance indicates the recognition by the country of the urgent need to solve environmental problems.
 
Mukhiddin Hashimov,
Head of the Department of the Information and Analytical Center for International Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Shakhlo Umarova,
Leading Researcher at the Information and Analytical Center for International Relations
under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan