Authorities in Uzbekistan are moving to the active phase of implementing the large-scale “Clean Air” project, which by the end of 2026 is intended to turn the capital into a zone of strict environmental regulation. According to Presidential Decree No. PF-46 signed by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tashkent will be officially divided into “red,” “yellow,” and “green” zones. However, behind the environmental façade lie questions of social equity that critics describe as a “division between elites and plebs.”
Second attempt at a “sleeping” reform
The regulatory framework for restricting vehicle movement has existed in Uzbekistan for several years (notably Cabinet Resolution No. 750), but these norms have remained largely dormant. The new decree sets a strict deadline: by the end of 2026, the Ecology Committee must complete the city’s zoning, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs must ensure the issuance of environmental stickers for all vehicles.
At the time of publication, about 74,000 applications had been submitted through the my.gov.uz portal, with nearly 50,000 stickers already issued or ready for issuance. Earlier, it was assumed that the sticker color would determine access to city districts. According to a map presented by the khokimiyat in a video back in 2024, the “green” zone will cover the prestigious central area with Mustaqillik Square, where only the most environmentally friendly transport will be allowed. Owners of “red” category vehicles entering clean areas, according to previous explanations, will face fines recorded by cameras.
Old vehicle fleet as a social barrier
The scale of the issue is confirmed by Prosecutor General’s Office statistics: more than 52,000 vehicles older than 40 years are operated in Tashkent alone. For owners of such cars, a trade-in program will launch on August 1, 2026, with subsidized loan interest for new vehicles.
However, for many residents of outlying districts, buying a new car remains an unaffordable luxury. A legal paradox arises: will a resident of a “yellow” or “green” zone even be able to leave their own yard if their vehicle does not meet the district’s class? IQAir experts emphasize that the aging vehicle fleet in Uzbekistan is driven by economic conditions rather than a lack of willingness to switch to electric cars.
“Car-free days” for the public sector
The decree also introduces disciplinary measures: starting May 1, 2026, the 10th and 25th of each month will be declared “Car-Free Day” campaigns. On these dates, officials are strictly prohibited from using official transport. Notably, drivers of government institutions will retain their salaries on these days, effectively receiving paid downtime funded by the budget.
Technical regulation of the “segregation”
Although the March presidential decree No. PF-46 does not contain a detailed table of fines, technical filtering criteria were established by the government in late 2025. Under the approved procedure, the “clean” (green) category for gasoline cars is Euro-2 and higher. For diesel vehicles, the requirements are stricter: the “green” category begins only from Euro-4.
This creates an interesting precedent: mass models of Uzbekistan’s auto industry from past decades (for example, Nexia-2 or Matiz), formally compliant with Euro-2, may end up on the “privileged” list, while older diesel trucks and Soviet-era “classics” (Euro-0 and Euro-1) will fall into the “red” outcast category.
Pollution reality: figures versus restrictions
According to IQAir’s 2025 report, Uzbekistan rose from 19th to 10th place in the global pollution ranking. Tashkent ranks 12th among the most toxic capitals in the world. The city’s annual average PM2.5 concentration exceeds WHO guidelines by more than six times. According to the World Bank, this results in 3,042 premature deaths in the capital each year.
At the same time, World Bank data call into question the effectiveness of transport restrictions alone:
- Heating sector: 28% of pollution.
- Transport: 16%.
- Industry: 13%.
- Transboundary dust: up to 36% (in summer).
While authorities report digitalization, the public raises a question: will the air in the center become cleaner if it is not physically separated from the outskirts? In 2024, the project of dividing the capital into zones was compared to the “wall of shame” in Lima separating rich and poor. Two years later, this dystopian scenario has acquired clear technical contours and legal force.
Whether the new measure will save residents’ lungs or become a new poverty tax for owners of older vehicles will become clear in the near future, when the system is fully implemented.
How to get a sticker
The service is available on the my.gov.uz portal in the “Transport” section.
- The data are filled in automatically; you only need to confirm the application.
- The sticker is provided free of charge; postal delivery costs 5% of the base calculation value.
- The finished sticker will be delivered within 10 days. It must be placed on the inside of the windshield in the lower right corner.
Featured image: Preliminary map of Tashkent’s environmental zoning (screenshot from a 2024 presentation). The official division of the city is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.