Uzbekistan and U.S. joint effort halts $100 million in gas losses, slashes emissions

American firm Climate Compass has identified and repaired over 50,000 gas leaks in Uzbekistan’s gas distribution network since the start of a joint project in the spring of last year. The initiative, aimed at improving the country’s infrastructure, has already prevented the release of 7 million tons of CO2 and saved approximately $100 million worth of gas that would have otherwise been lost. These achievements were highlighted during a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, where project partners gathered to discuss its progress.

The joint venture was initiated in March 2023, with “Hududgazta’minot,” Uzbekistan’s gas distribution company, partnering with Climate Compass, a U.S. leader in the field, through its subsidiary Gas Green Asia. The project is focused on detecting and repairing natural gas leaks in Uzbekistan's surface gas distribution networks. It plays a vital role in the country’s shift toward a greener economy by reducing methane emissions, a significant contributor to global warming.

The project’s main investor is the South Korean company Ecoeye Co., Ltd. It is entirely funded through the sale of carbon credits under Article 6.2 of the Paris Climate Agreement, allowing companies or governments that fail to meet emission reduction goals to purchase these credits to fulfill their obligations.

The success of the project has been notable. Since its launch, more than 50,000 gas leaks have been identified, measured, and repaired. This has resulted in the reduction of harmful emissions equivalent to over 7 million tons of CO2 annually. Furthermore, the initiative has created over 200 local jobs, providing opportunities for engineers, data specialists, and project managers who were trained by U.S. technical experts.

During the embassy event, U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Henick, Uzbekistan’s Presidential Economic Adviser Ravshan Gulomov, government officials, representatives from “Hududgazta’minot,” Gas Green Asia, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, along with U.S. diplomats and local journalists, discussed the project’s milestones and future objectives.

Kevin James, a representative of Climate Compass, emphasized that the project not only reduces environmental damage but also yields significant economic benefits through the conservation of natural gas. "We are here to help identify and repair leaks in the gas distribution system. So far, we’ve detected over 52,000 faulty pipes. Large amounts of gas are escaping into the air and being wasted—right in people's neighborhoods, next to their homes. With this project, we are saving approximately $100 million in gas that would otherwise be lost," he said.

Uzbekistan joined the global commitment to reduce methane emissions in 2022, with strong backing from the United States. Reducing methane emissions is a key component of the country’s efforts to meet its national obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement. According to the United Nations Environment Program, around 30% of global warming is directly linked to methane emissions.