The Uzbekistan National University has taken significant steps towards achieving carbon neutrality while addressing environmental concerns. In the development of strategies for carbon neutrality, the first priority was given to the protection of the environment in Uzbekistan, the mitigation of climate change, and adherence to ecological norms and legal regulations. Additionally, conventions, agreements, and declarations adopted by international organizations were analyzed.

It is well known that during the era of the Former Soviet Union, improper use of water resources led to the degradation of the Aral Sea. Consequently, the land in the Aral Sea region became covered with salt, drinking water scarcity emerged, the lifestyle of the local population drastically changed, and their health was jeopardized. Issues related to climate change are becoming increasingly significant on the global agenda.

Uzbekistan has adopted a series of legal documents to protect the environment, mitigate climate change, preserve biodiversity, enhance environmental awareness among the population, and establish an eco-friendly society. The fundamental purpose of these laws is to ensure the balanced development of human-nature relations, the protection of ecological systems, nature reserves, and specific objects, as well as to guarantee citizens’ rights to a healthy environment.

The legal documents mentioned, such as the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Environmental Protection” adopted on December 9, 1992, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan PF-5024 dated April 21, 2017, “On Improvement of the System of State Administration in the Field of Ecology and Environmental Protection,” the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan PF-5024 dated April 21, 2017, “On Improvement of the System of State Administration in the Field of Ecology and Environmental Protection,” the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Use of Renewable Energy Sources” adopted on May 22, 2019, the Draft Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Hydrometeorological Activity,” approved by the Resolution of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan KL-811, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Organizing the Activities of the Hydrometeorological Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan” dated April 10, 2021, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Organizing the Activities of the State Institution “Center for Development of Information Technologies in Hydrometeorology” under the Hydrometeorological Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan” dated May 8, 2021, and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Approval of the Regulation on the Provision of Services Specializing in Monitoring the Deterioration of Hydrometeorology and the Natural Environment” dated August 6, 2021, serve as the legal basis and guarantee for the protection of the environment and the mitigation of climate change.

Furthermore, Uzbekistan has joined international conventions and relevant protocols in the field of environmental protection and climate change mitigation, including:

• Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (May 18, 1993)
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (May 18, 1993)
• Amendments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer – London (May 1, 1998)
• Amendments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer – Copenhagen (May 1, 1998)
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (June 20, 1993) (Kyoto Protocol, 1999)
• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (December 22, 1995)
• Convention on Biological Diversity (June 5, 1995)
• Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (December 22, 1995)
• Paris Agreement on Climate Change (April 19, 2018)

The legal and regulatory documents mentioned above serve as the basis for the Uzbekistan National University’s development of a strategic policy aimed at advancing environmental protection and climate change mitigation.