The year 2025 proved especially challenging for air quality in Uzbekistan’s capital, with Tashkent repeatedly ranking among the world’s most polluted cities during peak smog episodes. At times, short-term air quality readings placed it alongside major Asian megacities during severe pollution spikes.

These rankings were more than just statistics. Thick smog became a daily reality for residents, disrupting everyday life and intensifying concerns over public health and long-term environmental sustainability.

Coal, Cars, and Construction: What’s Fueling the Smog

Officials from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology and independent environmental researchers say Tashkent’s air pollution is primarily caused by human activity.

The heaviest blow came from municipal furnaces and boiler houses. Amid ongoing natural gas shortages, many public facilities, including schools, kindergartens, and hospitals, were converted to coal or fuel oil, resulting in a surge of emissions. Uzbekistan’s coal consumption jumped from 3.9 million tons in 2019 to 6.7 million tons in 2023.

Emissions from these sources accumulate in the lower atmosphere during the cold season, exacerbating pollution.

Vehicle emissions are another major contributor. Tashkent has approximately 193 vehicles per 1,000 residents, roughly double the national average. Many cars run on low-octane AI-80 gasoline, which contains high levels of harmful impurities. While coal use has surged, vehicle emissions remain a serious issue. In 2019, motor transport accounted for the majority of urban air emissions in several districts of the city.

Adding to the problem are industrial plants on the city’s outskirts, frequent dust storms during dry seasons, and unregulated urban development. High-rise construction has created wind barriers that disrupt air circulation, while green spaces, Tashkent’s natural air filters, have steadily disappeared. Despite an official moratorium on tree cutting, official and environmental group estimates indicate that around 49,000 trees have been felled since 2019, often by developers who face only minimal penalties.

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology, PM2.5 concentrations in Tashkent routinely exceed World Health Organization guidelines. During peak smog episodes in early February 2024, pollutant levels were recorded at up to 22 times the WHO’s recommended annual limits. These fine particles penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering allergies, inflammation, and cardiovascular issues. A 2019 World Bank report cited air pollution as the cause of 89 deaths per 100,000 people in Uzbekistan, the highest rate in Central Asia. Winter smog episodes have intensified since then.

Living Under a Haze: Residents Speak Out

For many Tashkent residents, smog has become part of everyday life. People commonly report throat and eye irritation, a constant dusty haze, and difficulty breathing.

“It’s dusty and hard to breathe, you feel it all the time,” said Victoria Son, 18, a student at Bucheon University.

Karina Sagidullina, 19, a videographer and programmer with severe dust allergies, said the polluted air significantly affects her health. “My nose often gets blocked, I sneeze a lot. I have to do wet cleaning at home every day,” she said.

Some residents, however, say they are less affected. “So far, I don’t really feel the air pollution. I breathe normally and don’t wear a mask,” said Toligen Nuriddinov, 22.

Others find the situation increasingly difficult. “There’s nothing to breathe. The air is very polluted, that’s why I left,” said Rufina Aminova, 19, an e-business student.

Kristina Lee, 19, described similar conditions: “It’s dusty, smoggy, hard to breathe, especially if you stay outside for a long time.”

Davud Kobulov, 25, an electrical fitter, noted that air quality varies by season. “Tashkent is very dusty. Your nose gets clogged, the air feels toxic. But in winter, when there’s precipitation, it becomes easier, the air feels fresher,” he said.

Young Activists Push for Change

Until recently, air pollution attracted little public attention in Uzbekistan. But in 2025, youth-led environmental movements pushed the issue into the national spotlight.

Student groups launched grassroots campaigns, planting trees, distributing face masks, and promoting cycling over driving. Some young developers began experimenting with mobile tools to track air quality, while universities formed student clubs focused on sustainability and urban greening.

In a rare alignment, the government has supported these initiatives. Uzbekistan designated 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and the “Green” Economy, and adopted a national strategy to engage young people in climate action.

Government Response and Public Expectations

Mounting public pressure has pushed the government to address the issue. Until recently, Uzbekistan lacked a formal PM2.5 standard or a comprehensive air protection plan. That is now beginning to change.

In its updated Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Uzbekistan pledged to expand renewable energy production and raise installed capacity to 25,000 megawatts by 2030.

The Ministry of Ecology has introduced a 12-point plan to combat air pollution. Key proposals include:

• Establishing a “green belt” of forest plantations around Tashkent
• Mandating gas and dust filtration at industrial sites
• Strengthening air quality monitoring
• Banning the sale of AI-80 gasoline
• Restricting fuel oil use to emergencies
• Phasing out pre-2010 vehicles
• Increasing penalties for illegal tree cutting
• Launching a nationwide tree-planting campaign with a goal of 200 million new plantings

Officials describe these steps as part of an evolving policy response rather than a single, fully implemented program.

Many Tashkent residents say they hope the city’s air pollution will improve, particularly during the winter months, when smog levels are often at their worst.