"Tashkent lacks a clear program to improve air quality," says Nikita Makarenko.

Blogger Nikita Makarenko has drawn attention to the discussion surrounding the government program announced as part of the "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy" in Uzbekistan. He highlighted the key initiatives currently being discussed on the "Strategy-2030" platform.

Among the program's proposals:

• implementation of ESG principles at major enterprises (NGMK, AGMK, Uzbekneftegaz, Uzairways, Uzairports);
• a ban starting May 1, 2025, on the establishment of new enterprises in Tashkent, Nukus, and regional centers related to the production of asbestos, cement, leather goods, and coal burning without purification facilities;
• a prohibition on the use of AI-80 gasoline and fuel oil until the end of 2025;
• the introduction of a hunting moratorium until the end of 2028;
• the annual release of 15 tons of fish fry into the country’s water bodies;
• a complete ban on the production, import, and use of plastic bags starting in 2027.

However, Makarenko noted that the program hardly addresses the issue of air pollution in Tashkent.

“What do I think is missing? A clear program for the city of Tashkent aimed at improving air quality. This includes more decisive measures for de-automobilization. By the way, right now in New York, on Manhattan, an amazing experiment is taking place. Four days ago, a toll for entry was introduced — $9. The results have already been significant enough that leading economists have written scientific papers on it. Travel speeds have increased, while the number of cars has decreased,” the blogger shared.

He added that such measures do not necessarily have to be implemented exactly as in Tashkent, but emphasized the need for active actions: “The main thing is to start doing something.”