Uzbekistan: Temperature Rise and Water Scarcity
Just like other countries, Uzbekistan also faced the global problem of climate change: the average annual temperature here has increased by 1.6 degrees since 1880. According to the forecasts, by 2040, the temperature may rise by another 1.5-3 degrees. An even greater temperature rise will occur in the Aral Sea region due to the Aral Sea drying up.
Uzbekistan is one of 180 countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In 2017, Uzbekistan ratified the UN Paris Agreement on Climate.
The Centre of Hydrometeorological Service of Uzbekistan is responsible for fulfilling the obligations under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement; it prepared reports on climate change in 1999, 2008, and 2016.
Uzbekistan plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% (of the 2010 emission level) per GDP unit by 2030.
In 2020, the decision was made to develop a National Plan of adaptation to the climate change impacts. The 2.5-year project will be carried out with UNDP support through grant funding provided by the Green Climate Fund.
The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan intends to reduce the dependence on fuel that produces carbon dioxide and to develop alternative energy sources – solar and wind technologies. It is planned to receive 25% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Amid these statements, coal consumption is growing in the country; it replaces natural gas. The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan issued a Resolution "On additional measures to expand the use of alternative fuels in the economic and social sectors" in 2019, which provides for a reduction in natural gas consumption. There are plans to shift the enterprises for the building materials production and greenhouse facilities to coal.
The experts believe that by doing this, the authorities are trying to increase gas exports.
Several producers, including the British Original Gold Ceramic Company operating in Uzbekistan and greenhouse facilities, opposed the use of coal, both for economic and environmental reasons.
The Centre of Hydrometeorological Service of Uzbekistan is responsible for fulfilling the obligations under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement; it prepared reports on climate change in 1999, 2008, and 2016.
Uzbekistan plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% (of the 2010 emission level) per GDP unit by 2030.
In 2020, the decision was made to develop a National Plan of adaptation to the climate change impacts. The 2.5-year project will be carried out with UNDP support through grant funding provided by the Green Climate Fund.
The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan intends to reduce the dependence on fuel that produces carbon dioxide and to develop alternative energy sources – solar and wind technologies. It is planned to receive 25% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Amid these statements, coal consumption is growing in the country; it replaces natural gas. The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan issued a Resolution "On additional measures to expand the use of alternative fuels in the economic and social sectors" in 2019, which provides for a reduction in natural gas consumption. There are plans to shift the enterprises for the building materials production and greenhouse facilities to coal.
The experts believe that by doing this, the authorities are trying to increase gas exports.
Several producers, including the British Original Gold Ceramic Company operating in Uzbekistan and greenhouse facilities, opposed the use of coal, both for economic and environmental reasons.
Deforestation Moratorium
Photo: repost.uz
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According to the experts, climate change has a negative impact on forests in mountainous areas. Evgeniy Botman, Head of the Scientific Production Centre for Decorative Gardening and Forestry at the Forestry Research Institute under the State Committee on Forestry of Uzbekistan, states that more than 90% of the mountains are subject to erosion: the melting glaciers and surface mountain streams wash out the upper and most fertile soil layer.
The forest area in Uzbekistan is 8.4% of land area or over 36.8 thousand square kilometres, and it suffers from deforestation. For this reason, a moratorium on the felling of valuable trees and shrubs was introduced in 2019. The moratorium ended in December 2020 and later, it was extended until the end of 2021.
According to the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection, from October 30, 2019, to November 20, 2020, over 3.8 thousand violations were registered, fines in the amount of 4.31 billion soms (over $402 thousand) were imposed, and 17 criminal cases were opened.
Environmental damage amounted to 9 billion soms (over $840 thousand), of which only a third was recovered.
According to the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection, from October 30, 2019, to November 20, 2020, over 3.8 thousand violations were registered, fines in the amount of 4.31 billion soms (over $402 thousand) were imposed, and 17 criminal cases were opened.
Environmental damage amounted to 9 billion soms (over $840 thousand), of which only a third was recovered.
Water Scarcity in Uzbekistan
About 20% of the population of Uzbekistan suffers from high mineralization and salinity in water. The Aral Sea drying up aggravates the situation. The Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake in the world, lost 93% of its water volume between 1960 and 2014.
According to 2002-2006 data, agriculture is the largest consumer of water resources in the country – it consumes about 90% of water.
According to 2002-2006 data, agriculture is the largest consumer of water resources in the country – it consumes about 90% of water.
In August 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations stated that the level of pressure on water resources in Uzbekistan is critical. The country uses 169% of its water reserves.
The experts from the Centre of Hydrometeorological Service of Uzbekistan predict water resources reduction in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins by 25-40% by 2050.
According to the World Bank, by 2030, the yields of wheat and cotton may decrease due to water deficiency. The expected growth in moisture evaporation (under conditions of temperature increase) will increase water losses in irrigated zones, which will require additional water consumption. Given the current situation in irrigated agriculture, climate change will inevitably lead to an increase in water scarcity.
The experts from the Centre of Hydrometeorological Service of Uzbekistan predict water resources reduction in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins by 25-40% by 2050.
According to the World Bank, by 2030, the yields of wheat and cotton may decrease due to water deficiency. The expected growth in moisture evaporation (under conditions of temperature increase) will increase water losses in irrigated zones, which will require additional water consumption. Given the current situation in irrigated agriculture, climate change will inevitably lead to an increase in water scarcity.
Environmental Awareness of the Private Sector and Civil Society
As Uzbekistan is a country with a developing economy, businesses have only recently started to take part in solving environmental issues.
In August 2021, its capital hosted an international summit "Results of Synergistic Effect in Solving Environmental Problems of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Government, Public Organizations and Business". The summit participants came to the unanimous conclusion that industry should contribute to environmental protection by investing in R&D of environmentally friendly technologies, raw materials, and equipment. The improvement of the ecological situation via reducing emissions into the atmosphere and ensuring safe working conditions in the industrial sector is to be outlined in a planned roadmap.
There are also several local environmental initiatives in the country.
For example, the Hashar Week project is aimed at popularizing garbage sorting, reducing buried waste, and improving the environmental situation in the country. An important initiative of the project is holding events, seminars, training, and special lessons in schools that raise awareness among citizens and offer options for solving environmental problems.
In August 2021, its capital hosted an international summit "Results of Synergistic Effect in Solving Environmental Problems of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Government, Public Organizations and Business". The summit participants came to the unanimous conclusion that industry should contribute to environmental protection by investing in R&D of environmentally friendly technologies, raw materials, and equipment. The improvement of the ecological situation via reducing emissions into the atmosphere and ensuring safe working conditions in the industrial sector is to be outlined in a planned roadmap.
There are also several local environmental initiatives in the country.
For example, the Hashar Week project is aimed at popularizing garbage sorting, reducing buried waste, and improving the environmental situation in the country. An important initiative of the project is holding events, seminars, training, and special lessons in schools that raise awareness among citizens and offer options for solving environmental problems.
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Meanwhile, foreign experts criticise the Environmental Impact Assessment adopted in Uzbekistan.
According to the international legal consultant Andrey Andrusevich, this assessment system was created for post-Soviet realities, and "external investors do not understand it".
"In particular, there are two main gaps: publicity and public participation, as well as ambiguities in legislation. In fact, the requirements for investors are not supported by the law, which should be detailed and clear. It is important for external investors to see the compliance of legislation with requirements. This needs to be modernised so that the external investors could better understand the system," Andrusevich said (quote: Anhor.uz).
According to the international legal consultant Andrey Andrusevich, this assessment system was created for post-Soviet realities, and "external investors do not understand it".
"In particular, there are two main gaps: publicity and public participation, as well as ambiguities in legislation. In fact, the requirements for investors are not supported by the law, which should be detailed and clear. It is important for external investors to see the compliance of legislation with requirements. This needs to be modernised so that the external investors could better understand the system," Andrusevich said (quote: Anhor.uz).
Author:
Anastasia Cherepanova
Editors:
Natalia Lee
Marat Mamadshoev
Marat Mamadshoev
Layout and design:
Tolgonai Akimova
Title photo
Kun.uz
This article was prepared as part of the Amplify, Verify, Engage: Information for Democratisation and Good Governance in Eurasia project implemented by IWPR and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and mentoring program of the Development of New Media and Digital Journalism in Central Asia project implemented by IWPR with the financial support of the UK Government. The content of the article does not reflect the official position of the IWPR, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Government of the United Kingdom.
