Impact of green energy development on climate change mitigation

doi:10.1016/j.regsus.2026.100292

Abstract

Abstract:

This study examined the role of green energy development in mitigating climate change and fostering sustainable development in Central Asia including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The region has substantial untapped potential in solar energy, wind energy, hydropower energy, as well as biomass and bioenergy, positioning it strategically for renewable energy deployment. The result demonstrated that integrating renewable energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, enhance energy security, and support rural development. Case studies from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan showed measurable environmental and economic benefits. However, the large-scale use of renewable energy still faces numerous barriers, including outdated infrastructure, fragmented regulatory frameworks, limited investment, and shortages of technical expertise. Overcoming these obstacles requires institutional reform, stronger regional cooperation, and increasing engagement from international financial institutions and private investors. Modernizing grids, deploying storage systems, and investing in education, research, and innovation are critical for building human capacity in renewable energy sector. Accelerating the renewable energy transition is essential for Central Asia to meet climate goals, enhance environmental resilience, and ensure long-term socioeconomic development through innovation, investment, and regional collaboration.

Key words: Renewable energy, Climate change, Mitigation, Green energy transition, Sustainable development, Energy security

Kobiljon Khushvakht KHUSHVAKHTZODA, Ilkhom Burkhonovich MAKHSUMOV, Muzaffar Boynazarovich KHOLNAZAROV, Irina Mikhailovna KIRPICHNIKOVA. Impact of green energy development on climate change mitigation[J]. Regional Sustainability, 2026, 7(1): 100292.

Figures/Tables 6

Table 1

Fig. 1.

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Table 2

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Country	Solar radiation (×10³ kW•h/(m²•a))	Average wind speed (m/s)	Installed capacity of hydropower plant (×10⁶ kW)
Kazakhstan	1.60-1.90	5-6	5.00
Uzbekistan	1.80-2.10	4-5	2.00
Kyrgyzstan	1.50-1.80	5-7	3.50
Tajikistan	1.60-2.00	4-6	6.00
Turkmenistan	2.00-2.20	4-5	1.50

Year	Reduction of CO₂ emissions (t CO₂/a)
Year	Kazakhstan	Uzbekistan	Kyrgyzstan	Tajikistan	Turkmenistan
2020	2.1	1.5	0.8	0.9	0.4
2021	3.0	2.1	1.0	1.1	0.6
2022	4.2	3.0	1.2	1.3	0.9
2023	5.1	4.0	1.4	1.5	1.2
2024	6.0	5.2	1.6	1.7	1.5