As reported, the president Shavkat Mirziyoyev yesterday reviewed a presentation of priority national projects on environmental protection for 2026-2030, in particular in air quality, expanding green spaces, raising environmental awareness among the public, and countering desertification.

The presentation focused on the Clean Air project, noting that cases of air pollution levels having deteriorated in Tashkent, Navoi, Fergana, Chirchik, and Termez cities.

By 2030, authorities plan to reduce emissions, increase the share of emissions captured at industrial facilities, reduce transport pollution, and decrease the number of days with PM2.5 levels exceeding norms.

According to the presentation, a decrease in PM2.5 concentrations was recorded in Tashkent city in January and February of this year compared to the same period last year. Subsequently, separate programs will be implemented in the provinces, including diagnosing pollution sources, creating a unified monitoring system, and compiling emissions inventories.

Industrial projects will include the implementing of automatic monitoring stations, filters, and dust and gas cleaning equipment. For businesses in Tashkent and surrounding areas, the installation of such systems will become mandatory, with data integration into a unified geographic information system. Compensation payments for violators will be significantly increased.

The presentation contained a proposal to preserve so-called "wind corridors," incorporate environmental assessments into design, and develop a master plan for managing the city's environmental and water resources.

In the transportation sector, plans include a gradual raising of fuel standards, implementing of environmental classifications for vehicles with stickers (red, yellow, and green), linking vehicle checks to environmental requirements, a program to renew aging vehicle fleets, and an increase in the share of public transport.

This is expected to reduce pollution, particularly in the centers of large cities.

Steps to reduce natural dust include the creation of a green belt around Tashkent, the installation of green barriers in Surkhandarya and Syrdarya provinces, creation of artificial reservoirs, and an increase in the number of fountains. Recycling leaves into compost and mulch is also planned.

To improve environmental awareness, plans are underway to reinstate the 10,000 Steps initiative, launch the Healthy Lifestyle platform, and hold the GEF-8 assembly and the international exhibition Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 in Samarkand.