UNDP has been working in the area of protecting the environment and supporting development of renewable energy technologies in Uzbekistan since mid 1990-s. Current portfolio in this field includes close to ten projects, working on issues like biodiversity, sustainable management of land, livestock development and climate change: activities directly related to mitigation of climate change impacts through reducing the emissions, as well as adapting affected communities to its resilient impacts.

Particularly, UNDP has pioneered in introducing carbon financing initiatives in Uzbekistan and supporting this country’s entry into the carbon market through Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, and benefiting from modern clean energy technologies investments. Launched in 2007, Clean Development Mechanism has helped in establishing of the Designated National Authority and successful realization of a number of CDM projects. Other UNDP’s projects in the area of climate change tackle the issues of energy efficiency in public buildings such as schools and health clinics and help local communities in affected areas adapt to the challenges caused by climate change processes.

Another initiative that has successfully kicked off in Uzbekistan in 2008 is the Small Grants Programme in which UNDP and Global Environment Facility partnered to provide small grants to communities and NGOs in their efforts to protect the environment. Among more than 20 projects that have been approved since then, there are a number of community-based ideas to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, sustainably use available resources and introduce innovative energy solutions.

During the briefing held at UNDP office representatives of Uzbek mass-media had a chance to learn about current projects and successful examples of cooperation with various stakeholders in activities related to climate change.

Analyzing the lessons learned, organizers also shared their plans for future activities in this area, which will be based on the newly developed Action Plan of UNDP for the coming six years. According to this Action Plan which is going to be approved by the Uzbek Government and UNDP in early 2010, UNDP will continue its interventions in the field of climate change in three interconnected areas: mitigation, adaptation and carbon finance. Particularly, it will support the government in elaborating the sectoral climate change adaptation policies and strategies, as well as in meeting the commitments under international conventions, most importantly, the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. These interventions will be combined with enhanced environment education and training component, support to communities and improving national legal and institutional capacities.

Speaking at the briefing, Ms. Kyoko Postill, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, pointed out the importance of these regular gatherings with journalists and said: “This meeting comes especially timely now when world leaders meet at Copenhagen to possibly agree on a new global deal to tackle climate change. It creates a certain momentum for us at UNDP Uzbekistan as well, with increased attention from our national and international partners to this issue, and possibly increased financing of climate change related activities. As we agree with our counterparts on the new Country Programme Action Plan, we hope to continue working in this direction, helping the country and its citizens in reducing the impacts of this global challenge”