Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —Experts from the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies (IMRI) under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan conducted a survey among a group of students in Uzbekistan on energy conservation and efficiency.

Methodology: The study was based on an analysis of data collected through a survey questionnaire developed by IMRI. This structured questionnaire included questions aimed at assessing respondents' awareness of energy conservation. Over 7,000 students from 22 universities across all regions of the republic participated in the survey.

A significant portion of respondents (58%) reported being aware of the government’s key energy efficiency initiatives and of strategic documents and programs, such as the Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy and the Strategy for Transitioning the Republic of Uzbekistan to a Green Economy for 2019-2030.

Awareness Level: 88.4% of respondents indicated they were aware of energy-saving principles (47.8% rated their knowledge as high, and 40.6% as moderate), while only 11.6% said they were poorly informed on the subject.

The study also revealed that as students advance in their studies, their awareness of electricity, water, and gas costs increases: the share of those who are knowledgeable about expenses and pay them independently rises from 14.2% in the first year to 33.2% by the fourth year. Concurrently, the number of students uninterested in this issue decreases from 21.2% in the first year to 11.1% in the fourth.

Key Findings: 85.2% of respondents take measures to save electricity, including common actions like turning off lights, using energy-saving bulbs, and limiting appliance use.

Around 42.7% of students involve family members in energy conservation efforts, indicating a high level of awareness and a strong sense of responsibility among youth.

However, approximately 14.8% of students take no steps to save energy; among them, 33.8% stated they refrain from conserving energy for comfort reasons, while 26% had not considered the issue. These trends point to the need for continued efforts to raise young people's awareness of the principles and importance of energy conservation.

Overall, the survey results show that students in Uzbekistan are relatively well-informed about energy conservation and efficiency.

However, there is room to further engage students in strategic initiatives to improve energy efficiency. Involving youth in sustainable energy practices remains essential in building an environmentally responsible society.

The findings suggest recommending educational campaigns to increase students' awareness of the environmental and social benefits of energy conservation. Targeted informational programs, training sessions with international experts, specialized courses, and student competitions for energy-saving projects could all play an important role in developing energy-efficient skills among young people.