Uzbekistan bans the use of fuel oil as fuel

Starting in 2030, the use of fuel oil as fuel for heating and electricity production enterprises in Tashkent city and the adjacent Tashkent region will be prohibited. This is part of a decree by the President titled "On Priority Measures to Combat Dust Storms and Improve Atmospheric Air Quality," adopted on September 24.

As per the decree, dust and gas filtering equipment will be installed in over 1,200 greenhouses located in districts surrounding Tashkent to mitigate the negative environmental effects of coal fuel. Greenhouse farms will be required to install such equipment, and a subsidy mechanism will be introduced to support these efforts.

Between 2025 and 2030, "green belts" and "green parks" will be developed on 441 hectares of land in Tashkent and its neighboring regions.

Additionally, from 2028, the use and sale of motor fuel below the ecological "Euro-4" standard will be gradually restricted. Furthermore, the conceptual foundations for the establishment of the Green Central Asia Fund and the Center for Central Asian Climate Issues will be formulated in consultation with Central Asian countries.

Uzbekistan has also approved a national program for 2024-2030 focused on combating dust storms and mitigating their consequences. The program's primary goals include:

• Introducing advanced technologies to prevent and mitigate dust and sand storms while expanding green areas in the regions;
• Reducing the frequency of severe dust storms by 50% by 2028 compared to the current level.

Starting from January 1, 2025, installing automated background monitoring stations in 12 districts of Tashkent.

Beginning January 1, 2026, displaying air pollution levels and meteorological data on monitors and boards in Tashkent.