Uzbekistan | NDC x SDG Insights | SDG Push

How To Read This Report

The NDC x SDG approach focuses on identifying the key interlinkages and pathways through which priority climate actions can accelerate a country’s most vital development goals. In doing so, it helps craft a clear, evidence-based narrative that brings together broad coalitions across government to drive coordinated progress.

The report is divided into four categories of analysis →

NDC x SDG Moment — human progress within planetary boundaries is the next development frontier. This section provides a snapshot of key climate and human development data.
NDC x SDG Alignment — maps climate commitments and national development priorities using custom machine learning tool that draws from an SDG vocabulary of 100k terms.
NDC x SDG Interlinkages — identifies national-level actions through enhanced NDCs that accelerate SDG achievement and advances a robust development case.
Finance & Stimulus — charts fiscal constraints and stimulus opportunities to ensure climate and development policy choices can be advanced with greatest impact.

1. NDC x SDG Moment

This section takes stock of the country’s current climate and sustainable development context, providing a clear snapshot of key climate and human development data and setting the scene to identify climate–development synergies.

As part of their mitigation measures, Uzbekistan has set a target of reducing emissions per unit of GDP by

35%

Human activities are causing significant climate change with severe environmental and socio-economic consequences. Integrating climate action for emissions reduction and enhanced resilience into development strategies can advance human development and provide multiple co-benefits.

Uzbekistan is in the high human development category (107 out of 193 countries and territories) and the country’s IMF Adapted ND-GAIN index indicates vulnerability to climate disruptions and readiness to leverage investments to adaptation actions. With a projected emissions levels score of 10/100 in 2050, Uzbekistan needs to make significant investments in achieving carbon neutrality at the current pace. Uzbekistan’s projected Biodiversity Intactness Index indicates a relatively low impact on biodiversity in 2050.

Uzbekistan’s ambition is to become an upper middle-income country by 2030. The government is building a humane state by raising the honor and dignity of a person and further developing a free civil society; the transformation of the principles of justice and the rule of law into a fundamental and necessary condition for the development of the country; accelerated development of the national economy and ensuring high growth rates; implementation of a fair social policy, development of human capital; ensuring spiritual development and raising this area to a new level; approach to global problems based on national interests; strengthening the security and defense potential of the country, conducting an open, pragmatic and active foreign policy.

Uzbekistan's Green Economy Strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2026 and increase renewable energy production capacity to 15 GW by 2030, while also enhancing environmental diplomacy and implementing water- and energy-efficient technologies alongside climate-aligned agricultural policies. To support these goals, the Climate Council was established in 2024 as the highest advisory body on climate change, and a Climate Science Forum at the Central Asian University for the Study of the Environment and Climate Change is planned.

Sources European Commission 2023 (INFORM Climate Change Risk Index), IMF 2022 (IMF-Adapted ND-GAIN Index); Environmental Performance Index 2024 (GHG growth rate adjusted by emissions intensity & Projected Emissions in 2050); Helen Phillips; Adriana De Palma; Ricardo E Gonzalez; Sara Contu et al. 2021 (Biodiversity Intactness Index).

NDC x SDG Alignment

Goal Level

This analysis shows the most prominent SDGs in each of the two national strategies on climate and development. This identifies areas of common action and potential synergies across national climate and development priorities.

Nationally Determined Contributon (NDC)

Note: Based on Revised Nationally Determined Contribution (2021)

National Development Plan(s) (NDP)

Note: Based on National Development Plan 2023-2025 (2023)

These visuals are generated by analyzing the NDCs and National Development Plans through the SDG framework at goal level.

NDC x SDG Alignment

Target Level

This analysis shows how the country’s climate actions, both mitigation and adaptation, align with and drive impact across the SDGs at the target level.

Mitigation NDCs

Adaptation NDCs

These visuals are generated by analyzing NDC actions through a custom-built AI tool and categorized using the SCAN tool to surface relevant SDG synergies at the Goal level. For additional information on the NDC-SDG mapping, please visit: https://ambitiontoaction.net/scan_tool/

NDC x SDG Alignment

Action Level

This section breaks down the NDC categories into specific country commitments identified through a custom-built AI tool. The bubble sizes show how many actions fall under each category, helping pinpoint where NDC–SDG acceleration is most likely.

Uzbekistan 's NDC includes actions in these sectors:

Mitigation

Adaptation

3. NDC x SDG Interlinkages

NDC x SDG interlinkages reveal how climate actions can impact human development progress. Building from the country's NDC actions and SDG priorities, the following integrated SDG pathways reflect NDC actions with the most potential to accelerate the SDGs.

SDG 8.3

Promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises.

Enhancing the participation of public scientific institutions, women, and local communities in planning and management is vital for advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16.6, which focuses on building effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. By integrating diverse perspectives and mainstreaming gender approaches, these stakeholders can improve decision-making processes, thereby supporting SDGs related to gender equality (SDG 5), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). This collaborative effort fosters trust and accountability, ultimately leading to stronger governance and better outcomes that benefit all members of society, while also contributing to the overall achievement of the SDGs.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance, is designated as the national authority responsible for the implementation and oversight of the MRV system (in partnership with several other agencies). Systems like this including the establishment of an online reporting platform and a national GHG reduction registry are effective for not only improving NDCs but can be replicated to improve systems such as social protection (SDG 1), SDG 3, and several other SDGs.

Interlinkages between SDG 16 and other goals, such as poverty reduction (SDG 1), gender equality (SDG 5), and quality education (SDG 4), can create synergies that enhance overall development outcomes.

Priority NDC Activities

Activity 1

Construct new renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 10 GW (5 GW of solar, 3 GW of wind and 1.9 GW of hydropower plants tapping the potential of small rivers, irrigation canals, reservoirs, and watercourses

Activity 2

Increase share of renewable energy sources power generation to least 25% by 2030

Activity 3

Increase renewable energy sources, which will help reduce GHG emissions

NDC synergies with the priority SDGs

SDG 11.1

By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums

Expanding drip irrigation to 1 million hectares increases water use efficiency, raising crop yields by 20–40%, boosting food security, and enhancing the economic value of agriculture. Advanced irrigation and water-saving technologies will attract investment and create new jobs, particularly in rural areas (SDGs 2.3 and 8.3).

Improved water efficiency and real-time monitoring through smart water technologies enhance resource management and reduce waste. Increasing access to centralized drinking water from 77% to 91% by 2030, along with expanding sewage coverage, will improve public health and sanitation (SDG 6.1, SDG 6.4).

Energy-efficient technologies and the modernization of pumping stations aim to reduce annual electricity consumption by 30%, cutting carbon emissions. These measures support a transition to cleaner energy and align with Uzbekistan’s climate goals (SDG 7.3, SDG 13)

By expanding centralized drinking water supply and upgrading wastewater infrastructure, the NDC actions will contribute to healthier and more resilient urban environments. Improved water management and reduced pollution will lead to cleaner cities, mitigating environmental health risks. (SDG 12.2) The introduction of energy-efficient technologies and smart water management systems will promote more sustainable consumption patterns, decreasing resource waste and lowering the environmental impact of water and energy use across economic sectors. Climate Resilience (SDG 13.1 and SDG 15.1)Reducing energy consumption and emissions will contribute to climate mitigation, while better water management enhances adaptation capacity. By improving water and energy efficiency, and expanding access to clean water and sanitation, Uzbekistan's NDC actions are interconnected with and can accelerate progress across SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Priority NDC Activities

Activity 1

Widely apply energy-efficient and water-saving technologies for crop irrigation, information and communication technologies and innovations in water management

Activity 2

Use alternative energy sources at Municipal solid waste (MSW) management facilities up to 35%

NDC synergies with the priority SDGs

SDG 16.6

Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions

Priority NDC Activities

Activity 1

Increased participation of public scientific institutions, women and local communities in planning and management, mainstreaming gender approaches and practices

Activity 2

Integrated Monitoring, Reporting and Verification system (MRV)

NDC synergies with the priority SDGs

4. Finance & Stimulus

This section examines a country's fiscal space and public investment priorities, highlighting opportunities to align stimulus measures with SDG progress and accelerated climate action.

Many countries are facing reduced fiscal space, high debt levels, rising interest rates and downgrades on credit ratings. Fiscal and financial constraints tend to slow or even reverse SDG progress.

Public Finance

Financing needs

SDGs: Estimates from 2019 revealed Uzbekistan needs at least an additional, annual investment of USD 6.0 bn to meet the nationalized SDGs. (DFA 2021):

NDC: Total: Estimated 19,3 billion USD total by 2030

14.3 billion USD for mitigation
4.3 billion USD for adaptation
0.7 billion USD for capacity building actions

Financing strategy

Financing strategy for Uzbekistan 2030 under development

Consideration of carbon tax and related climate fiscal policies
Consolidated government revenue amounted to an equivalent of 28.6 percent of GDP, up from 24.9 percent of GDP in 2017
In 2018-19, tax reforms lowered tax rates but maintained tax ratio of 28.6 percent of GDP in 2019 due to higher compliance and growth

Expenditures & budgets

Since 2019 the Government of Uzbekistan performs the SDG budget Tagging exercise using a basic model and regularly presents the results in the publications of a Citizen’s Budget.
According to the tagging results during the last few years in average around 70% of the state budget expenditures in Uzbekistan were allocated and aligned with SDGs.
Add expenditure bullet 3 here...

Debt instruments

In July 2021, the Government of Uzbekistan issued a first sovereign SDG Bonds in the region (UZS denominated, USD Equiv. 235 Million)
In October 2023, the Government of Uzbekistan issued a debut sovereign Green Bonds (UZS denominated, USD Equiv. 350 Million)
In May 2024, the Government of Uzbekistan issued SDG Bonds (USD Equiv. 650 Million).

International climate finance

55 million in total GEF funding for climate (GEF, 2024)
60 million in total GCF funding (GCF, 2024)
16.5 million in total Adaptation Fund funding (Adaptation Fund, 2024)

Private Finance & Economy

Policy & Regulatory Measures:

Innovative Instruments:

Sustainability Taxonomies / ESG

SDG Bond Framework, providing a comprehensive tool to maintain coherence across performance monitoring criteria and indicators

SDG and Green sovereign bond issuances

Derisking & Inclusive Finance

Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), EUR 4.4 million EBRD credit line for on-lending to private companies

International Investment:

Initiatives launched under the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) to catalyze foreign investment in sustainable development, leveraging innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable and inclusive economic growth 3.1% Foreign direct investment, net inflows (of GDP) (2022)

Domestic Investment:

Unlocking domestic private finance through financing reforms, fostering an environment conducive to domestic investments in green technologies and sustainable infrastructure