A visual summary of the national report on the state of the environment in Uzbekistan

National Report on the

State of the Environment REPUBLIC OF

UZBEKISTAN

Illustrative Summary Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The National State of the Environment Report of Uzbekistan was prepared by the team of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other contributors: Khaniya Asylbekova, Zulfiya Yarulina, Marina Plotsen, Khalilulla Sherimbetov, Tatyana Li, Jakhongir Talipov, Umarjon Abdullaev, Bobur Makhmudov, Numonjon Shakirov, Javohir Abdulkhalikov, Azizbek Kalimbetov, Anvar Tursunaliev, Shakhnoza Usmanova, Olga Mirshina.

The authors would like to thank Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, for his continued support and guidance.

The National State of the Environment Report was prepared with the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and with financial support from the Global Public Goods and Challenges (GPGC) Programme Cooperation Agreement between the European Commission and UNEP. The efforts and contributions of the team at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) are gratefully acknowledged: Livia Bizikova and Avet Khachatryan provided methodological guidance, capacity building, and overall guidance for the development of the report.

Zoï Environment Network, in collaboration with the Ministry and with support from UNEP, developed this Illustrative Summary. Maps, illustrations and layout were developed by Matthias Beilstein, Aleksandra Povarich and Dina Adylova. The concept and supervision was provided Viktor Novikov.

The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its Member States.

The text, maps and illustrations may be used without prior permission, provided the source is acknowledged. Data are mainly for 2020–2022, depending on the subject.

Photos are by courtesy of Natalia Shulepina, Anastasia Pavlenko, Anna Barashkova, Khaniya Asylbekova, Viktor Novikov.

Contents Introduction to Uzbekistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Air quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Water resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Soils and land resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Wild nature and biodiversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Climate change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Health and environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 The Aral Sea region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Waste and chemicals management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Uzbekistan is the most populous country of Central Asia, with a population of 36 million and an annual growth of 750 000. Half of the population is urban. The rural population lives mainly in irrigated areas and river valleys, as large parts of the country are deserts. Mountains play an essential role in forming water and supporting rich biodiversity. Uzbekistan is one of the world’s top ten producers of cotton, gold and uranium and has a well-developed industrial and science base. The country’s economy and population depend on natural resources.

Syr Darya

KAZAKHSTAN

KY RGYZSTAN

Tashkent

TURKMENISTAN Uzbekistan is party Am uD to 14 international conTAJIKISTAN ar ya ventions and more than 20 agreements and memoranda of understanding on environmental protection. The Ministry of Ecology cooperates with the United Nations and other organizations, such as the International AFGHANISTAN Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union (EU). Regional cooperation is promoted via the Central Asia Regional Environmental Centre (CAREC), the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and its structures — the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) and the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) — and other platforms.

The Ministry of Ecology is implementing 31 international grant projects totalling $100 million, and eight more projects with the total budget of $40 million are in the pipeline. Project themes include biodiversity conservation, including migratory species; measures on climate change and forests; desertification; improving the situation in the Aral Sea region; and sound waste and chemicals management.

Natural resources of Uzbekistan in figures Glaciers melted by

30% due to global warming

3

50 km 80% of river runoff

is formed in the mountains outside the country

Mountain areas are rich in species of flora and fauna

Mountain forests:

446 000 hectares

Scenic mountains attract the development of tourism, sports and recreation Pastures 21.2 million ha

12 km3

runoff from inland rivers

Volume of all reservoirs

20 km3

60%

of irrigated land depends on pumping

Protected areas 14% Irrigated lands 4.3 million ha

Oil, gas, gold and uranium extraction is concentrated in desert areas

Riparian forests т

Desert soils and climate cover 70% of the country Wetlands are important for fish and migratory birds

38 000 ha

Main areas of international environmental cooperation

O3 Renewable energy

Climate change

Sound waste and chemicals management

Ozone layer protection

Combating desertification

Biodiversity conservation

Regional environmental cooperation

Migratory species, combating wildlife traffic

Conservation of mountain ecosystems and species

Monitoring of glaciers and water resources

Modernising Industrial safety hydrometers, in major river basins improving weather forecasts

Conferences and meetings

International and regional efforts on the Aral Sea 10 50

Afforestation, conservation and restoration of wetlands in the Aral Sea zone

Water and energy saving technologies to improve the living conditions of the population

6

0

Creation of a trust fund and innovation zone in the Aral Sea region to develop alternatives

Gissarak Reservoir

Ancient Bukhara 8

in agriculture and industry

agriculture and industry

per person

and severity of droughts

NOx

SO2

CO

NОx emissions

SО2 emissions

CO emissions

of water saving

Air Quality

Stationary emissions

Mobile sources emissions

Particulate matter and dust

Air quality in major cities

Health and Environment To reduce air pollution, industries and vehicles are being equipped

Atmospheric emissions from stationary sources in Uzbekistan remained stable in recent years, but pollution from mobile sources, including emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, is increasing. Air pollution is also influenced by natural factors: still weather, temperature inversions and dust storms.

with pollution reduction technologies and filters, and urban green zones are being expanded. Much of Uzbekistan’s road transport is powered by low-carbon natural gas. The import and use of electric vehicles is growing. The general public has open access to real-time informationNutrition on air quality viaAccess the monitoring.meteo.uz web-portal Child Lifemain expectancy diseases Cancer to safe Population exposed The emissions are registered in theHeart Tashkent, Kashkadarya, development drinking water to polluted air and AirUz app.

Syrdarya and Samarkand provinces, where mining and processing supply enterprises, power stations and petrochemical plants are located. In accordance with the decree of the President of the Republic of Emissions from stationary sources amount to 874 000 tonnes per year. Uzbekistan, the area and length of parks, avenues and green zones in Tashkent will be increased by 2030. The use of public transport will There are 4 million cars in Uzbekistan, annually emitting 1.3 million double, and the proportion of electric buses will reach 50 per cent. tonnes of pollutants, mainly in the Tashkent city and province. The number of cars is increasing.

Climate Change s

t

Air quality is monitored by 66 monitoring stations in 26 cities of Uzbekistan. Industrial emissions are monitored at 800 enterprises.

The Atmospheric Pollution Index (API) is used to assess air polluNumber Volume and tion.Greenhouse Over the past five Warming years, therates API has remained low in many cities gas emissions of hot days size of glaciers of Uzbekistan. The country’s industrial areas and large cities sometimes experience situations of excessive air pollution.

Use of renewable energy, % share

Adaptation measures

Improved observation networks

Sound Waste and Chemicals Management

Waste generation per person

Total household waste

Household waste collected

Household waste recycled 9

Awareness and environmental actions on waste

Hazardous waste management and recycling

Monitoring and statistics on waste

Factors influencing air quality and emissions 4 000 000 vehicles

Outdated fuel use standards, growing number of cars Use of coal and wood for heating, atmospheric inversions in winter Insufficient use of air cleaning technologies and treatment

Emissions of air pollutants 874 000 tonnes

1 297 000 tonnes Dust storms

Stationary sources

Mobile sources

10

Natural factors and conditions

Pollution reduction measures 500

inspectors involved

357

filters installed

e-cars

2100 import in 2022 Euro 4

115 companies reduced emissions by 5 000 tonnes

Operation "Clean Air" to control and reduce emissions

AirUz Mobile app on air quality

Transition to e-cars and use of Euro 4 fuel standard

Measures to improve air quality in Tashkent by 2030 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Use of e-buses

50% 17%

Expand green alleys

300 000

150 km

150 000

42 km

60% Use of public transport

Afforestation of cities and desert areas to reduce dust and pollution

30%

170 km Expand bicycle lanes

65 km

11

12

Youth on bicycles 13

of protected areas

conservation measures

List species

landscapes

on natural landscapes

monitoring

and restoration of wildlife and birds

Duration and severity of droughts

Adoption of water saving

Water Resources

Water use in agriculture and industry

Water loss in agriculture and industry

Water pollution

State of glaciers

Water availability per person

Air Quality

Water is becoming increasingly scarce in Uzbekistan. This is partly Poor water quality affects human health. The pollution of water bodies due to population growth and increasing public demand for food and with plastic waste and sewage leads to a loss of the value of water energy. On the other hand, the effects of climate change, especially for recreation and fishing. Increased salinity of water affects soils, NO SO2 CO low river levels and droughts, are evident. Snow cover and glaciers in xcrop yields and ecosystems. the mountains are diminishing, and the risk of intense rainfall leadThe main use of groundwater is for municipal and domestic puring to mudslides and flooding is growing. poses. A total of 50 000 wells are in operation in the country. The Agriculture accounts for 90 per cent of water use in Uzbekistan. most important reserves of non-saline groundwater are located in SО2 CO Air quality Stationary Mobile sources Particulate NО Wateremissions abstraction and use varies from matter year toand yeardust dependingemissions on x the provinces of Tashkent, Samarkand, emissions emissions Surkhandarya, in majorNamangan cities emissions water availability and demand, and averages 52 km3/year. The irri- and Andijan. gated area of 4.3 million ha is supported by an extensive irrigation Uzbekistan has adopted state programmes to conserve and protect network of 28 000 km of canals and 70 reservoirs with a total volume water resources. It has also introduced payments and fines for water of 20 km3. About 60% of the irrigation area is dependent on pumping pollution and overuse. The application of Integrated Water Resources stations, which consume 8 billion kWh of energy annually.

Management (IWRM) principles, water accounting and water saving Water-saving technologies are used on 23 per cent of cultivated systems is increasing. In the near future, 13 000 water management land. Large water losses occur in main and inter-farm canals and facilities will be equipped with digital technologies. Drip and sprinin Life on-farm networks. Average water use inHeart irrigation (10 700 m3/ha) technologies have already been introduced 400 000 Child expectancy diseases Cancerkler irrigation Nutrition Access to safe Population on exposed development drinking water airbeing remains high. Other water consumers are: residential and municipal ha. Drought-resistant and early growing varietiesto ofpolluted crops are supply sectors, fisheries and industry. used to reduce water consumption.

Health and Environment

Environmental monitoring shows that most of the country’s waters are classified as moderately polluted (class III). A deterioration in the quality of the water is observed in the areas of large enterprises and downstream of cities. Agricultural run-off and drainage tends to mineralize rivers.

Environmental impact assessments are regularly carried out on proj-

Climateects, Change and surface water and wastewater discharge points are moni-

t

Greenhouse gas emissions

Warming rates

Number of hot days

tored. The Uzbek Hydromet water monitoring network covers 59 water bodies at 108 gauges and 86 locations. More than 1 000 water samples are taken and analysed annually.

s

Volume 14and size of glaciers

Use of renewable energy, % share

Adaptation measures

Improved observation networks

Surface water

Water withdrawal from surface sources 52 km3/year

Glacier reduction 30%

1687 pumping stations

90%

Irrigated land 4.8 mln ha

Agriculture

46,6 km3

1 g/l

Agricultural runoff pollutes rivers

70 reservoirs with a volume of 20 km3

Part of water after irrigation is reused 4.1 km3

3 g/l Water loss up to 50% due to leaks, evaporation

2% 1,2 km3

3% 1,3 km3

5% 2,3 km3

!

Domestic water use

!

Other uses

Industrial and energy water use

Groundwater Population

53% 7.8 km3 Groundwater use

37% Agriculture

Total estimated reserves 15

Industry

10%

Spas and mineral springs

Consequences of water pollution

Health impacts, disease outbreaks

Loss of recreational value

Salinisation of soils, damage to crops

Impact on aquatic ecosystems

Solutions

100 50

100 50

Compulsory payments and taxes for the use of natural resources, fines, compensation for pollution

Investment in water treatment and purification

New regulations, impact assessments

Integrated water resource management, river basin planning

Improved water monitoring, data digitisation

Interactive maps, accessible reports

16

Amu Darya river suffers from low water levels 17

actions on waste and chemicals

and recycling

on waste and chemicals

Soils and Land Resources

Land use

Soil and water conservation technologies

Mudflows and soil erosion in mountains

Soil salinity

Forests and planted areas

The Aral SeaOvergrazing Region is the main cause of desertification: 70 per cent of pas-

The total land area of Uzbekistan is 44.9 million ha, of which 26.2 million ha (58%) are used in agriculture. Pastures occupy 21.2 million ha or half of the country’s area.

tures in Uzbekistan are degraded. Reducing or stopping grazing helps to restore grass cover, but some types of soil degradation are irreversible — for example, the destruction and pollution of soils by industry or toxic waste.

About 70 per cent of Uzbekistan’s territory (31 million ha) is in the arid zone, with a wide distribution of desert soils and sands, frequent dust storms and dry winds.

Large areas of these natural deserts aresecurity Uzbekistan isDiseases implementing smalland large-scale measures to comAral Sea drying Loss of biodiversity Food Access to clean subject to water and wind erosion. bat land degradation, to improve thewater condition of arable land and to expand the planting of trees in cities, deserts and mountains.

Human activities such as overgrazing, salinization of irrigated land, Scientific research and monitoring of the land is also being carried irrational planning and land use in infrastructure development, indusout. In November 2023, an international meeting of the UN Convention trial pollution and land degradation can have a negative impact on to Combat Desertification was held in Samarkand, where participants soil conditions and desertification. organized a tree planting campaign.

18

Causes of land degradation Soil salinisation and pollution due to over-irrigation and chemicals use

Reduced crop yields and products quality

Run-off containing salts, fertilisers and agro-chemicals to rivers

Increased risk of mudslides

Desertification

Poisoning of flora and fauna

Effects on food quality and human health

Effects of climate change and drought

Chemical and toxic industrial pollution

Overgrazing of mountain and desert pastures

?

Lack of fodder

19

Decline in the endangered and unique plants

Solutions

Drip irrigation

Mulching and compost use

Maintaining good drainage in irrigation

Sand soil stabilisation with saxauls

Agro-forestry

Protection of riparian forests and wetlands

20

Crop rotation, alfalfa

Reduce grazing intensity, irrigate pastures

Planting forests Mapping and remote in mountains to sensing of forests reduce disaster risk and soils

Drip irrigation 21

Wild Nature and Biodiversity

Number and size Other areas with of protected areas conservation measures

Status of Red List species

Status of natural landscapes

Pressure on natural landscapes

Biodiversity monitoring

Breeding and restoration of wildlife and birds

Uzbekistan is implementing its National Biodiversity Strategy and Water Resources Action Plan (NBSAP) for 2019–2028. NBSAP provisions and targets

Intensive grazing results not only in soil and pasture degradation, but also in forest degradation, the disappearance of rare plants and the reduction of wildlife habitats. Aquatic ecosystems have long suffered perhaps the greatest anthropogenic stress. Tugai forests now cover 38 000 ha, mostly in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. This is only 10 per cent of the original area of tugai forests in the Amu Darya delta.

may soon be updated to reflect the recent Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and targets. The Ministry of Ecology approves quotas for hunting and plant harvesting and conducts regular environmental inspections in coordination with the Academy of Sciences.

Poaching affects rare and endangered animals (turtles, marmots, The lands of the State Forest Fund cover 11.7 million ha, or 26 per cent Water use Water loss in Water pollution State of glaciers Water availability Duration Adoption gazelles), raptors and songbirds. total area, of and which 3.5 millionofhawater are covered in agriculture agricultureThe illegal collection of medici- of the country’s per person severity saving by and industry and industry of droughts nal plants, flowers, seeds and bulbs for sale is a threat to the flora. forests (forest cover 7.7%). Since 2021, the “Yashil Makon” countryWild ungulates are in competition with livestock for grazing land. wide project has been implemented to increase forest plantations.

Ecosystems and species, such as the snow leopard in the high mounProtected areas form the basis of biodiversity conservation and cover tains and the flora and fauna of the Aral Sea region, are also affected 6.3 million ha (14% of the country’s total area), significantly more by climate change.

New categories NOxthan 5–10 years SOago.

COand types of protected areas 2 Uzbekistan’s flora includes 4 300 species of higher plants, 10 per cent have been introduced, including integrated landscape reserves and of which are endemic. Of particular interest are the wild relatives of nurseries. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) have been identified, some the cultivated plants — wild almond, apple, persimmon, onion, spices of which are now targeted by conservation projects. and aromatic plants. There are 715 species of vertebrates: 77 species Stationary Mobile sources Particulate NОx SО2 CO Air quality of fish,emissions 3 species of amphibians, 61 species of reptiles, 467 species emissions matter and dust emissions emissions emissions in major cities of birds and 107 species of mammals. The degree of endemism for reptiles and fish is as high as 50 per cent. Migratory species include mammals (saiga, Bukhara deer, kulan, snow leopard), birds (crane, sociable lapwing) and fish.

Air Quality

Health and Environment

Life expectancy

Child development

Heart diseases

Cancer 22

Nutrition

Access to safe drinking water supply

Population exposed to polluted air

Impacts on wildlife and biodiversity

Intensive grazing

Forest disturbance

Extinction and decline of plant and animal species

Climate change and land degradation

State of Biodiversity 4300

715

species of higher plants

7,7% forest cover

10% endemic flora

Diverse forests: riparian, montane, desert

Rich genetic resources

14%

6 321 258 ha

Protected areas system

animal species

2

biosphere reserves

1

national park

7

strict nature reserves

12

species management areas

12

nature parks

11

nature monuments

1

nursery

1

integrated landscape reserve

23

2

UNESCO world natural heritage sites

4

Ramsar wetlands

36

Key Biodiversity Areas in mountains and foothills

National conservation efforts

Hunting and plants collection and use permits

Wildlife inventory and reporting

Red List enforcement and update

Ecological inspections

Nurseries for birds, mammals and trees

Grazing pressures regulation Biodiversity monitoring

Education, awareness, alternatives

Clean-up campaigns in lakes and forests

Reforestation involving women and youth

24

25

Pallas’s Cat (Manul) 26

development

drinking water supply

to polluted air

Adaptation measures

Improved observation networks

Climate Change s

t Greenhouse gas emissions

Warming rates

Number of hot days

Volume and size of glaciers

Use of renewable energy, % share

Sound Waste and Chemicals Management

In Uzbekistan, the average annual temperature has increased by Climate warming is caused by global greenhouse gas emissions. In 1.6 °C (from 13.2 to 14.8 °C) since the beginning of instrumental Uzbekistan, emissions have remained stable over the last five years of meteorological observations (1880). Over the last five years, the num- reporting under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ber of hot days has exceeded the average by 5–7 days, and in the Change (UNFCCC) at 189 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (according Aral Sea region by 12–17 days. Climate change is associated with to the latest inventory for 2017). The main contributors are fuel proincreased extreme weather events, glacial retreat, increased dust duction and consumption (76%) and agriculture (18%). Compared to Waste and generation Total household Household Household Awareness and Hazardous waste by 7 Monitoring storms desertification, floods and mudslides. the base year 1990, emissions have increased per cent. per person

waste

waste collected

waste recycled

According to climate scenarios, precipitation in the desert areas of Uzbekistan and in the southern regions of Central Asia may decrease, and in mountainous areas during the winter months there may be some increase in precipitation, including in the form of heavy rainfall. In 80 per cent of cases, heavy rainfall is the cause of mudflows.

About 800 settlements are located in mudflow hazard zones.

environmental

management

and statistics

actions on wasteof theand recycling waste At the 28th Conference Parties (COP-28) toonthe UNFCCC in and chemicals and chemicals Dubai in December 2023, Uzbekistan for the first time organized its pavilion to inform and engage Parties and partners. As part of its commitments, Uzbekistan prepared and submitted to the UNFCCC three national communications, a biennial report with an inventory of greenhouse gas emission sources for 1990–2017, and its revised nationally determined contribution. Implementation of the Over the last 50–60 years, the volume of glaciers in the Pskem River strategy for the transition to a green economy by 2030 has begun. basin has decreased by 24 per cent, in the Kashkadarya by 70 per A Ministry of Ecology with a climate change mandate has been crecent and in the Surkhandarya by 40 per cent. In the glaciated basins ated through reform, andand the National Adaptation Plan Land use Soil and water Mudflows and Soilinstitutional salinity Forests of medium and large rivers, intensive glacier melting may initially conservation soil erosion planted areas (NAP) is being finalized. lead to an increase in run-off, but by mid-century the flow of theinAmu technologies mountains Darya and Syr Darya Rivers is expected to decrease by 5–15 per cent, leading to an increased water deficit.

Soils and Land Resources

The Aral Sea Region

Aral Sea drying

Loss of biodiversity

Food security 27

Diseases

Access to clean water

Carbon footprint: Greenhouse gas emissions million tonnes of CO2 - equivalent Energy production and use 76%

CO2

49

N2O

32

Oil, gas, coal extraction and transport

6

16

Commercial

Transport

Residential

Agriculture 18%

Uncertainty + - 10%

CН4 N2O

Power plants

Industry and construction

Waste 1%

Livestock and manure

CO2

N2O

0.5

Landfills and wastewater treatment

28

Cement Ammonia and other

Forests and land use 9 million tonnes

2 Fertiliser use

4

21

CН4

11

CO2

4

20

Fugitive emissions

22

Industrial processes 5%

CO2

CH4

Climate Change Annual glacier loss 0.3-0.6% Risk of GLOFs and flash floods, damage to infrastructure

High winds and dust storms

Drought

Risk of landslides and rockfalls

Average temperature trends

1950

1980

2000

2019

Urban flooding

Livestock and crop damage

Changes in water flow

Number of hot days

Precipitation variability

Number of cold days

1950

1980

2000

Solutions

Regular reporting on emissions, targets and action plans

Greenhouses to protect against severe weather

Water saving technologies

29

Renewable energy

Energy efficiency, green cities and public transport

2019

30

Tree planting by participants of the international conference CRIC21 in Samarkand, November 2023 31

Water use in agriculture and industry

Water loss in agriculture and industry

Health and Environment Duration State of glaciers Water availability

Water pollution

Air Quality NO

70% of the population

2

NOx

Stationary emissions

Mobile sources emissions

Air quality

Adoption and severity of water saving Food and nutrition of droughts

per person

SO2

Environmental factors NО SО emissions health emissions affecting

Particulate matter and dust

x

2

Drinking water quality CO and access

Non-compliance with sanitary CO Air quality emissions in major cities and technical requirements for urban water supply

Health and Environment 50%

Leading causes of mortality More than 70%

of deaths in Uzbekistan are caused by non-communicable diseases Life expectancy

Child development

Heart diseases

Cardiovascular diseases Cancer

Cancer Nutrition

Diabetes Access to safe drinking water supply

Respiratory problems

Population exposed to polluted air

quality, including consumption of meat and dairy products, ClimateDietary Change

Studies show that there is a link between air pollution and the incidence of disease. Increased mineralization and drinking water quality affect health. During dry periods, in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya and in some areas of Fergana, Tashkent, Syr Darya, Navoi and Bukhara provinces, the concentration of mineral salts in water supply systems has increased.

t

Greenhouse gas emissions

Warming rates

Number of hot days

eggs, fruits and vegetables, has improved in recent years. This has had a positive impact on the health of the population: the number of underweight children has halved and child obesity is negligible.

The incidence of anaemia among women has fallen by a factor of 2.5, and life expectancy has increased.

s

Volume and size of glaciers

Use of renewable energy, % share

Adaptation measures

Improved observation networks

Sound Waste and Chemicals Management 32

Health and Environment Achievements 74

76

68

72

Life expectancy increased

From

14

21

From

17

6

to per 100 000

to per 100 000

Maternal mortality reduced

Infant mortality reduced

Access to safe water increased:

From

28

12

to per 100 000

Under-5 mortality rate reduced

Nutrition and food consumption per person improved: 98%

in urban areas

Vegetables -

Fruits - 4 times

2.6 times

Milk and dairy products -

1.6 times

87%

in rural areas

Eggs - 2.2 times

Meat products -

1.3 times

Solutions

Vaccination

Education on healthy lifestyle and nutrition

Sports, outdoor games, walking

33

Improved health services in rural areas

Online diabetes registry, free medication

Wastewater treatment plant in Samarkand 34

Land use

Soil and water conservation technologies

Mudflows and soil erosion in mountains

Soil salinity

Forests and planted areas

The Aral Sea Region

Aral Sea drying

Loss of biodiversity

Food security

In the second half of the 20th century, the condition of the Aral Sea deteriorated: its volume and area decreased significantly due to the increase in water withdrawals for irrigation and the reduction in the flow of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, which feed the sea.

Compared to 1960, the volume of the Aral Sea has decreased from 1 083 km3 to 69 km3 (16 times). The negative effects of excessive use of agrochemicals on agricultural fields and poor water quality in the rivers have persisted for a long time.

Diseases

Access to clean water

In 2018, the International Innovation Centre of Aral Sea was created to improve ecosystems and implement best practices on saline lands. The UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund on Human Security for the Priaralie Region (MPTF) was also created. The fund has attracted more than $16 million for the development and implementation of five rural development and climate change adaptation projects, reaching 250 000 people.

In 2021, the President of Uzbekistan, Sh. Mirziyoyev, signed the decree “On measures to implement the special resolution of the UN General Assembly of 18.05.2021 ‘On the declaration of the Aral Sea region as a zone of environmental innovation and technology’”. In 2023, Central Asian countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the International Fund for the Saving of the Aral Sea (IFAS), which aims to finance and coordinate measures for the socio-environmental restoration of the Aral Sea basin. Its measures and projects include the creation of water reservoirs in the Amu Darya delta, the establishment of forest plantations and others.

Water mineralization in the lower river sections reaches 3 g/l in the Syr Darya and 2 g/l in the Amu Darya. Water pollution and dust-salt storms from the bottom of the dried Aral Sea are the main factors behind the increased incidence of anaemia, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disease, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Agricultural yields in the Aral Sea region are one-half to onethird of normal levels. Declining productivity of pasture and irrigated land, dying tugai vegetation and drying lakes have led to the loss of 100 000 jobs.

The situation has stabilized over the past 10 years, but could worsen again if and when Afghanistan completes and commissions the 285 km Kosh-Tepa canal (under construction) in the upper reaches of the Amu Darya. Climate change could increase pressure on the Aral Sea region over time — both through low water and droughts throughout the basin, and through increased heat and water scarcity in the populated area around the Aral Sea.

At the expense of state programmes, 1 500 km of drinking water supply networks have been built and rehabilitated, and access to clean water has increased from 40 per cent to 68 per cent of the population.

Five new protected areas were created, covering a total of 3.6 million ha, and 1.7 million ha of saxaul, cherkess and other trees were planted on the dried Aral Sea bottom.

35

Causes of the Aral crisis Largescale irrigation, high water abstraction and losses

Pollution by pesticides and fertilisers washed off fields

Poorly treated wastewater

t Climate change: higher temperatures and drought

Consequences Water volume reduction:

Water shortages and poor water quality

Environmental migration

Decline in fish stocks, ecosystem degradation

Increased desertification and dust storms

1083 km3

69 km3 36

37

Addressing the Challenges of the Aral Sea Region

Birds survey in the Aral Sea and the Amu Darya Delta

Conservation of wetlands in the Amu Darya Delta

1.7 million hectares of forest plantations on former seabed

5 new protected areas covering

!

3.6 mln ha

1500 km of water supply networks constructed and rehabilitated

Development of bio-agriculture under conditions of soil salinisation

New methods of farming and use of saline soils

Innovative technologies

Access to the centralised water supply increased

from 40% to 68%

Support for small businesses

250 000 people are informed on water and soil technologies and climate adaptation

38

Establishment of innovation centre, business training

Saxaul planting on the former Aral Sea bed 39

Greenhouse gas emissions

Warming rates

Number of hot days

Volume and size of glaciers

Use of renewable energy, % share

Adaptation measures

Improved observation networks

Sound Waste and Chemicals Management

Waste generation per person

Total household waste

Household waste collected

Household waste recycled

Awareness and environmental actions on waste and chemicals

Hazardous waste management and recycling

Monitoring and statistics on waste and chemicals

to municipal soild waste, 115 million tonnes of indusSoils and LandIn addition Resources

Waste in Uzbekistan is increasing due to growing population, consumption, industrial production and booming construction. On average, each inhabitant of the country produces 0.77 kg of waste per day. The amount of plastic waste is increasing in Uzbekistan and worldwide. Every day, 1 000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated in the country, 270 tonnes of which is PET.

trial waste is generated in Uzbekistan annually, mainly by the mining and processing industries in the provinces of Navoi, Tashkent and Fergana. About 256 million tonnes of industrial waste are stored in 21 sludge ponds, and almost 3 billion tonnes of industrial waste are stored in 15 tailings. The amount of other industrial waste stored is estimated atSoil 40 salinity million tonnes. Forests Part of the Land use Soil and water Mudflows andindustrial waste and waste Household waste is collected and transported to 165 landfills that and conservation soil erosion planted areas from energy sector is recycled. cover a total area of 1 445 ha. The amount of solid waste that in accutechnologies mountains mulated in landfills is estimated to be 33 million tonnes. There are Eight thousand medical facilities across the country generate 42 000 more than 4 000 waste collection points in the country, where recy- tonnes of medical waste annually, including 1 600 tonnes of hazclable materials as well as hazardous household waste is partially ardous medical waste, part of which is neutralized. The amount of sorted for processing. The current recycling rate is 32 per cent, which e-waste is estimated at 100 000 tonnes per year. is much higher than it was 5 or 10 years ago.

Since 2017, Uzbekistan has made significant improvements in its In spite of controls and fines, there is still some dumping of munic- waste management system, and has adopted State decrees, resoluipal solid waste in illegal landfills close to settlements, along the tions and orders of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers, and Diseases Sea drying Food security Access roads, on the edges ofAral agricultural fieldsLoss and of onbiodiversity the banks of rivers the Waste Management Strategy for 2019–2028. Waste clusters to clean water and lakes. In 2022, almost 20 000 cases were registered in connec- with a capacity of 1 million tonnes per year have been established, tion with the dumping of waste in places where this is not permitted. and special vehicles and waste bins have been purchased. A methane capture system is operational at the Tashkent landfill. A ban on the production and sale of packaging less than 100 microns thick will be introduced in 2024, and there are big plans to scale up circular economy principles.

The Aral Sea Region

40

Household waste

Waste management

Composition of household waste

Five years ago – 6 900 000 tonnes Now – 7 500 000 tonnes

33%

32% recycling

Collection coverage Five years ago - 12% Now - 86%

4%

6%

Food waste

Glass

4% Plastic containers 1% Metals 5%

Other plastics

Paper, cardboard

165 landfills cover 1 445 ha 33 000 000 tonnes DO NOT LITTER!

Household waste generation per person 0.7 kg/day

20 000 registered cases of littering in 2022

Industrial waste Industrial waste storage: Industrial waste landfills 40 million tonnes

Volume of ash and slag produced by power stations

700 000 tonnes per year

256 million tonnes in sludge ponds Generation:

115 million tonnes per year

Waste is used in building materials 3 billion tonnes in tailings

Electronic waste 100 000 tonnes 700 containers for batteries

41

Waste measures

Clusters for the collection, transport, sorting, recycling and disposal of municipal solid waste

E-waste recycling

Monitoring of soil pollution

Ban on production and sale of plastic packaging

Measures to reduce the exposure to chemicals

Labels and public information materials

Biological crop protection, organic farming

Waste sorting

Biodegradable materials, recycling technologies

Safe recycling of e-waste

42

Control of hazardous chemicals and waste

Waste minimisation, circular economy

Waste collection and recycling 43

Useful websites with environmental information on Uzbekistan and Central Asia ▶ eco.gov.uz — official website of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Telegram channel: t.me/ecogovuz ▶ hydromet.uz — official website of the State Hydrometeorological Service under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including an interactive map of air quality monitoring: monitoring.meteo.uz ▶ greenuniversity.uz — official website of the Central Asian University of Environment and Climate Change under the Ministry of Ecology, Environment Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan ▶ iic-aralsea.uz — official website of the International Innovation Centre of Aral Sea ▶ data.gov.uz — open data portal of Uzbekistan, including environmental data ▶ stat.uz — official website of the Statistical Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan ▶ sreda.uz — publications on environmental issues in Uzbekistan and Central Asia by environmental journalist Natalia Shulepina ▶ ekolog.uz — information and news on ecology and environmental protection in Uzbekistan and abroad ▶ ekomaktab.uz — Eco-Maktab environmental resource and education center ▶ uzspb.uz — website of the Uzbek Society for the Protection of Birds ▶ cawater-info.net — water information portal on the Aral Sea basin, SIC ICWC ▶ sgp.uz/ru/publikacii — publications of the GEF Small Grants Program (SGP) in Uzbekistan ▶ aral.mptf.uz/site/aralsea.html — UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region ▶ cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/mountains-central-asia — Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) Ecosystem Profile and Small Grants for the “Mountains of Central Asia” biodiversity hotspot

International environmental reporting and reviews on Uzbekistan ▶ UNECE (2020). Third Environmental Performance Review of Uzbekistan: unece.org/DAM/env/epr/epr_studies/ECE.CEP.188.Eng.pdf ▶ Convention on Biodiversity CBD (2018). Sixth National Report of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Biodiversity Conservation: cbd.int/doc/nr/nr-06/uz-nr-06-en.pdf ▶ UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC (2021). First Biennial Report of the Republic of Uzbekistan: unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/FBURUZeng.pdf 45

Taking care of the Bukhara deer in the Zarafshan National Park 46

eco.gov.uz/en

uz-eco.tilda.ws/en