Uzbekistan: Law on limiting greenhouse gas emissions and promoting green projects adopted

The President signed the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. ZRU-1073 dated July 7, 2025 "On limiting greenhouse gas emissions", aimed at creating a sustainable legal and institutional framework for combating climate risks. The document comes into force in six months and covers a wide range of mechanisms for reducing emissions, developing a green economy and fulfilling the country's international environmental obligations.

The Law sets out strategic principles for managing carbon emissions, including ensuring sustainable economic growth while reducing the negative impact on the climate, prioritizing the use of renewable energy sources, and a science-based and systematic approach to managing greenhouse gases. Reporting on the level of emissions becomes mandatory and is subject to full transparency. The law also stipulates the need to achieve emission reduction targets consistent with the international treaties to which Uzbekistan has acceded.

One of the key elements of the law was granting legal entities and individuals the right to implement "green" projects. All emission reductions achieved under such initiatives are assigned to the State, and the relevant data are entered in the carbon unit register, which is formed to ensure accountability, accounting and control.

The state undertakes to create a system of support for performers of green initiatives. The Cabinet of Ministers will prepare appropriate assistance mechanisms, as well as approve a list of requirements that such projects must meet. The law provides for mandatory verification of carbon units formed as a result of the implementation of green programs, which creates the basis for the full functioning of the national carbon credit market.

Revenues generated from trading in carbon units will be used to implement climate programs, adapt to the effects of climate change, develop a circular economy, manage waste and protect the environment. Thus, the mechanism of "carbon dividends" will not just compensate for emissions, but will work for the systematic greening of the country's economy.

The new law forms the legal architecture of the national climate policy, strengthens Uzbekistan's position in the international environmental arena and opens up new opportunities for attracting investment in sustainable, low-carbon technologies.