Uzbekistan to ban fuel oil use in Tashkent starting 2030, tackling air pollution

These measures were outlined in a presidential decree titled “On Primary Measures to Combat Dust Storms and Improve Air Quality” (Decree No. PQ-338, dated 24.09.2024), according to the Ministry of Justice.

The decree also approves a national program for 2024–2030 aimed at mitigating the effects of dust storms and reducing their occurrence. By introducing advanced technologies and expanding green coverage, the program aims to halve the frequency of severe dust storms by 2028.

From January 1, 2025, automated small stations will be installed in 12 districts of Tashkent to monitor air quality. By January 1, 2026, real-time pollution levels and meteorological data will be publicly displayed on special monitors in the capital.

The ban on fuel oil will apply to heating and power generation facilities located in Tashkent and adjacent areas of the Tashkent region starting in 2030.

To minimize the environmental impact of coal-burning greenhouses, over 1,200 greenhouses in the suburban districts of Tashkent will be equipped with dust and gas filtration systems. A subsidy mechanism will also be introduced to support the installation of these filters.

Between 2025 and 2030, "green belts" and "green parks" covering a total of 441 hectares will be created in Tashkent and its surrounding regions.

Furthermore, the sale and use of motor fuels that do not meet Euro-4 environmental standards will be gradually restricted starting in 2028.

On a regional scale, Uzbekistan plans to collaborate with other Central Asian countries to establish the Green Central Asia Fund and the Central Asia Climate Issues Center, which will serve as platforms for addressing environmental challenges in the region.