CEIR presented the first comprehensive assessment of carbon emissions reduction in the cement industry of Uzbekistan
CEIR presented the first comprehensive assessment of carbon emissions reduction in the cement industry of Uzbekistan
The results of the first systematic assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in the cement industry were discussed in Tashkent and priority areas of technological modernization were identified in the context of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Tashkent, April 28, 2026. The Center for Economic Research and Reform (CEIR), together with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), held a consultative seminar on reducing carbon emissions in the cement industry in Uzbekistan.
The event was attended by representatives of government agencies, the scientific community, industrial enterprises, financial organizations and international partners.
The purpose of the event was to discuss the results of the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in the cement industry, as well as to develop practical approaches to its technological modernization and transition to low-carbon development.
Opening the event, Nozimjon Ortikov, Deputy Director of the CEIR, noted that the development of the industry and the reduction of the carbon footprint are complementary tasks. According to him, the modernization of cement production will simultaneously ensure economic growth and increase the environmental sustainability of the sector.
Anas Karman, Deputy Permanent Representative of the UNDP in Uzbekistan, stressed the importance of the construction sector for the country's economy and the need to accelerate the implementation of low-carbon solutions in cement production.
CEIR experts Abdurashid Bozorov and Bakhtiyor Ismailov presented a comprehensive baseline assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from the cement industry, based on the methodology of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Decarbonization of the cement industry is becoming particularly relevant in the context of Uzbekistan's international climate commitments. According to the updated targets, the country plans to reduce the carbon intensity of GDP by 50% by 2035 compared to 2010 levels, and is also considering achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
At the same time, the cement industry continues to show steady growth. In recent years, production has more than doubled, from 10.5 million tons in 2019 to more than 20 million tons currently, and experts estimate that demand will remain high due to the development of infrastructure and the construction sector.
According to the data provided, there are 24 cement plants operating in the country with a total capacity of about 37 million tons per year, with an actual production volume of about 21.5 million tons.
The analysis shows that the 13 largest enterprises provide about 95% of the total output, which indicates the concentration of production and the need to create conditions for technological modernization.
According to CEIR estimates, carbon dioxide emissions at the stage of clinker production (the main component of cement) amount to about 9 million tons per year, excluding energy consumption, fuel and transportation. In this regard, it was noted that measures to modernize the largest enterprises will ensure the bulk of the emission reduction potential in the industry.
The results of the study, including a survey of 16 leading enterprises, which account for about three quarters of cement production, as well as a comparative analysis with international indicators, indicate that there is a significant reserve for reducing the carbon footprint. In particular, the potential is associated with optimizing the composition of cement, increasing the energy efficiency of production and expanding the use of alternative fuels.
At the same time, the further development of the industry and the attraction of "green" investments require improved financing conditions, improved access to modern technologies, simplified regulatory procedures, as well as the training of qualified personnel and the formation of demand for environmentally oriented products.
The implementation of a set of measures, including improving energy efficiency, reducing the share of clinker, the introduction of technologies for the disposal of excess heat and the development of carbon capture solutions, will ensure a sustainable reduction in emissions and increase the competitiveness of the industry.
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