Lifelong learning opportunities provided
Local education programmes or campaigns on climate change risks, impacts, mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning Evidence
University Climate Action plan, shared with local government and/or local community groups Evidence
Co-operative planning for climate change disasters, working with government Evidence
Inform and support local or regional government in local climate change disaster/risk early warning and monitoring Evidence
Collaborate with NGOs on climate adaptation Evidence
The Republic of Uzbekistan has increased its commitments in the updated nationally determined contribution (NDC2) and intends to reduce specific greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 35% by 2030 from the level of 2010 instead of 10% specified in the NDC1
The updated NDC2 has been developed in accordance with the Decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement 4/CMA.1, 1/CP.21, 9/CMA.1 and 18/CMA.1 by the Interagency Working Group under overall coordination of the Center of Hydrometeorological Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the support of the UN Development Program (UNDP) in Uzbekistan. Representatives of key ministries and agencies, academia and civil society, the private sector and youth took part in the development of the document. The updated commitments (NDC2) are aligned with the National Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the socio-economic development goals in accordance with current national circumstances. The NDC2 recognizes the important role of structural reforms in ensuring policy changes over the long run, prioritizing energy efficiency measures and the expansion of renewable energy sources, introduction of resource-saving technologies in key economic sectors and the social sphere, both economically and in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation
WAYS OF NDC2 IMPLEMENTATION
Strategy for Transition of the Republic of Uzbekistan to a Green Economy for 2019-2030 (Presidential Decree No. 4477 dated 04.10.2019) is aimed at achieving sustainable economic progress through the integration of green economy principles into the ongoing structural reforms. The main priorities of the Strategy are as follows: (i) improvement of the energy efficiency of the key sectors of the economy; (ii) diversification of energy consumption and the use of renewable energy sources; (iii) climate adaptation and mitigation, improvement of the use of natural resources and conservation of natural ecosystems; (iv) development of financial and non-financial mechanisms to support the green economy. The Strategy is currently under revision and is to be extended until 2050, taking into account Uzbekistan’s increased NDC ambitions and decarbonization of the economy.
National Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets until 2030 (Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 841 dated 20.10.2018). The indicator “CO2 emissions per unit of value added” is indicator 9.4.1 from the list of indicators for the implementation of the National SDGs until 2030. Progress in CO2 emission reduction must be included in Uzbekistan’s Voluntary National Review on SDG progress. The National SDG indicators also reflect adaptation measures, in particular: Indicator 1.5 “By 2030, increase the resilience vulnerable population, reduce their vulnerability to climate change-induced extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters”; Indicator 6.4. “By 2030, significantly improve water use efficiency in all sectors of the economy”; Indicator 6.5 “By 2030, ensure integrated water resources management at all levels, including, through transboundary cooperation, as necessary”; 26 Indicator 6.6 “By 2030, ensure protection and restoration of water ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers and lakes”; Indicator 13.2 “Include climate change responses in policies, development strategies, with special focus on measures implemented in the Aral Sea region”; Indicator 13.3 “Improve awareness and strengthen the capacity of people and institutions, organizations and businesses on climate change mitigation, adaptation and early warning of risks and climate hazards; Indicator 15.2 “Promote sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and significantly increase afforestation and reforestation; Indicator 15.3 “Combat desertification, restore degraded lands and soil, and achieve land degradation neutrality. “Action Strategy on Five Priority Areas for Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017- 2021” (UP-4947 dated 07.02.2017) provides for the reduction of the energy and resource intensity of the economy, widespread introduction of energy-saving technologies in production, increased use of renewable energy sources, which will help reduce GHG emissions; adoption of systemic measures to mitigate the adverse impact of global climate change and the drying up of the Aral Sea on agriculture development and livelihood of the population
- ADAPTATION
Climate change adaptation is a priority policy area for Uzbekistan, aimed at reducing vulnerability and ensuring the country’s resilience to climate change. According to IPCC6 , the most likely climate change related impacts and challenges (with high degree of accuracy) requiring adaptation interventions are associated in Uzbekistan with water and land resources. Climate change and impending water crisis, population growth, economic globalization and industrial development have a significant impact on the country’s socio-economic systems. Climate-dependent sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, water and forestry, are most affected. Despite advances in irrigation and farming, weather remains a key influence factor on agricultural productivity, soil formation, and natural habitat. The situation is exacerbated by the continuing drying up of the Aral Sea, which has already lost 57% of its area, 80% of its volume and 64% of its depth in the last four decades. The Aral Sea basinnow represents a salt desert called Aralkum, which adversely affects the ecology of the entire country. It is also expected that climate aridity will increase across the country, especially in its western part. The projected reduction in water resources and changing precipitation patterns will lead to even more prolonged droughts and extreme weather events. Water scarcity will increase significantly due to the projected decrease in water resources. The water scarcity in the country, which was 2000 m3 in 2005, is projected to increase to 7,000 m3 by 2030 and to 13,000 m3 by 2050. This will have an adverse impact on agriculture, particularly on the production of cotton, one of the country’s main export products. The increased potential of evapotranspiration due to global warming causes a proportional increase in biological water demand in crops and, accordingly, increase in need for irrigation water. In the future, if demand for irrigation water will not be fully met due to water scarcity, crop yield reduction is expected. The expected loss of yield in a year of 90% water availability in the near future (2039) under scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 can make up 10-13% for cotton, 10-13% for winter wheat, and 10- 12% for alfalfa. Taking into account the needs of the population, whose number is expected to be over 37 million by 2025, and the need for sustainable development of all sectors of the economy, it is expected that by 2025 the food demand will exceed the production of grain by 26.9%, meat by 92.5%, and milk by 69.5%, etc. A key priority in meeting the rapidly growing population’s demand for food products is to increase the climate resilience of agriculture and sustainable use of water and land resources, without endangering the stable functioning of vital ecosystems and their services. To achieve these priorities, Uzbekistan intends to strengthen its adaptive capacity, establish early warning and risk management systems at all levels in synergy with mitigation actions. The most disadvantaged layers of the population live in the most arid regions of the country. Their livelihoods depend on agriculture and face increasing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and the availability of natural resources. Under these conditions, the government has recognized the need to implement urgent adaptation measures and actions. An adaptation plan is currently under development. In accordance with state policy, with UNDP’s support and funding from the Green Climate Fund, the country has begun preparing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). A road map has been developed to advance the NAP process