TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — September 22, 2026 — Methane accounts for roughly one-third of current global warming, yet the effectiveness of methane mitigation efforts depends on the availability and quality of data. The measurement of methane emissions has historically been challenging due to data and monitoring limitations. Around the world, governments and researchers are combining satellite observations with scientific measurements, industry reporting and national emissions inventories to get a clearer picture of where methane is released and where reductions may be possible. UNEP has found that methane emissions have been underestimated in historical inventories in some cases. The International Energy Agency estimates that the energy sector accounted for nearly 150 million tons of methane emissions in 2025. (UNEP, UNEP International Methane Emissions Observatory, IEA Global Methane Tracker 2026)
For Uzbekistan, better methane data matters particularly for the oil and gas sector which accounted for more than 50% of the country’s anthropogenic methane emissions (IEA Global Methane Tracker 2026). Comparing satellite observations with information already collected nationally can help provide a clearer picture of emission sources and show where monitoring and reporting may need further work.
The issue will be at the center of a national workshop in Tashkent on September 22, which will mark the final event of the “Enhancing Uzbekistan’s Methane Inventories” project (The Project). Organized by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) together with the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University), and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a global environmental non-profit organization, the workshop will bring together government representatives from the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, The Agency of Uzbekcosmos, representatives of the environmental ministries and relevant government agencies of the Central Asian countries — the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — responsible for hydrometeorological observations, greenhouse gas monitoring, climate reporting, and the implementation of international commitments on climate change, national oil and gas companies of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, national inventory experts, research and academic institutions, and international partners.
Over the course of the year-long project, experts used satellite observations to identify and map significant methane emission sources in priority oil and gas production areas. They compared the results with existing national emissions data, reviewed Uzbekistan’s legal and regulatory framework related to methane, and held technical capacity-building activities on satellite, aerial and ground-based monitoring. The Project also generated recommendations on how these newer monitoring approaches could be reflected in national methane emissions assessment methodologies.
At the closing workshop, experts will present the results of satellite data acquisition and hotspot analysis and discuss differences between satellite-based information and existing emissions data. Participants will also consider recommendations for Uzbekistan’s methane policy and regulatory framework and review a draft reporting protocol guideline for incorporating satellite and aerial data into national methane reporting protocols.
The final discussion will give participating stakeholders an opportunity to comment on the project’s recommendations and discuss priorities for future cooperation.
The event will contribute to global efforts to advance methane action and supports the goals of the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Methane, which calls for accelerated methane reductions across the fossil fuel, agriculture and waste sectors by 2030.
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia is implementing the project with support from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
For further information:
Dilovarsho Dustzoda — Project Manager (recath_manager@carececo.org)
Arailym Shulgauova — Project Specialist (ashulgauova@carececo.org)