Political parties propose new measures to tackle Uzbekistan’s air pollution crisis

The parties noted that despite recent government measures, the scale and complexity of pollution issues require systemic solutions rooted in the rule of law and the principle of inevitability of punishment for environmental violations.

Adolat Party: stronger responsibility and public awareness

Adolat’s proposals focus on tightening environmental legislation and significantly increasing penalties for illegal tree cutting, the destruction of green areas, and air and water pollution.

The party also calls for introducing criminal liability—including possible imprisonment—for serious environmental crimes and classifying deliberate destruction of trees as a grave offence.

Adolat additionally highlights the importance of broad public awareness campaigns to strengthen environmental culture across society.

Ecological Party: scientific approach and monitoring

Uzbekistan’s Ecological Party emphasizes improved coordination and monitoring, including cooperation with the newly created special environmental commission.

Its platform includes forming a dedicated party headquarters for environmental inspections and regularly informing the public about the state of the environment.

The party also proposes creating a scientific advisory group (“Olimlar korpusi”) to develop evidence-based solutions, launching environmental literacy programs for citizens and businesses, drafting new legislation to strengthen accountability, and activating a hotline for public complaints.

UzLiDeP: clean air targets and green entrepreneurship

UzLiDeP’s proposals center on long-term clean air goals. The party calls for developing a nationwide “Clean Air 2030” program and installing smog-filtering towers in Tashkent.

The platform also encourages environmentally responsible entrepreneurship through a new “Eco-Responsible Entrepreneur” initiative and support programs that help businesses reduce waste and shift to clean energy.

UzLiDeP supports legislation to expand electric-vehicle infrastructure and advocates a gradual phase-out of coal and fuel oil, alongside wider use of geothermal and other renewable energy sources.

In addition, the party proposes legally prohibiting the relocation of trees older than 10 years to protect urban greenery.

People’s Democratic Party: social oversight and protection of vulnerable groups

The PDPU’s proposals focus on expanding civic oversight across all areas related to environmental protection, ensuring public involvement in evaluating ecological solutions and modernizing the economy.

The party supports the establishment of a special commission to address Tashkent’s air quality and insists that its decisions should be binding for all state bodies, law enforcement agencies, organizations and citizens.

Other proposals include tightening controls over construction activities, requiring builders to install dust-suppression equipment, and safeguarding vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly during periods of poor air quality by expanding access to recreation, medical and social services.

The party also recommends installing air-purification systems in schools, classrooms and training facilities.

The PDPU further stresses the importance of public control during economic modernization to ensure technological changes comply with labor protection, safety standards and environmental requirements, while also calling for broad parliamentary and civic oversight of the implementation of presidential measures.