The adverse impacts of climate change are worsening each year, and the window for action is rapidly closing. In the current economic system, the negative effects of climate change lead to exacerbating poverty, and widening inequality, particularly in regions that are more vulnerable to climate shocks and economic shifts, according to researchers Iskandar Sangini and Aya Timurova.
Green and Just Transition
There is an urgent need to transition away from fossil fuel-based economies to a more sustainable, low-carbon system. This global movement of just transition aims to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy, and promoting sustainable practices across industries. It also emphasizes the importance of social justice and equity, ensuring that vulnerable communities, workers, and marginalized groups are not left behind during this transformation.
The green and just transition refers to shifting towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy that ensures social justice and equity. This global movement aims to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy, and promoting sustainable practices across industries.
Central Asia is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with 95% of its total energy supply coming from unsustainable sources. This reliance contributes to environmental degradation and makes the region vulnerable to the global shift towards decarbonization. Therefore, for Central Asia, a green and just transition can be seen as a pathway to greater resilience, equity, and long-term socio-economic stability in the face of growing environmental and economic challenges.
The Background of Civil Society Organizations in Central Asia
Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a key role in the just transition in this region accounting that socio-political structures often limit public participation in policy-making. Through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and direct engagement with local communities, CSOs work to bridge the gap between policy-makers and the broader population, ensuring environmental sustainability and social equity.
The formation of civil society in Central Asian countries has undergone a long and complex journey. During the Soviet era, the very concept of “civil society” was excluded from the socio-political lexicon, as the German term “Bürgerliche Gesellschaft” was translated not only as “civil society” but also as “bourgeois society,” which contradicted the ideology of the socialist state. The political activity of citizens had no organizational or ideological opportunities for self-expression, and the Soviet citizens lost the qualities of an active participant in political life, capable of recognizing and defending their interests.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union and radical changes in economic and social life, the state lost its monopoly role in the formation of social policy, leading to the gradual democratization of Central Asian countries and the development of civil society institutions. Despite all the difficulties and challenges accompanying this process, CSOs have become an integral part of the social and political life of the region, contributing to solving pressing problems and strengthening democratic institutions.
Considering the lack of environmental education in school curricula and the disregard for environmental consequences by governmental authorities, CSOs play a central role in raising public awareness about these issues. They advocate for sustainable policies and educate the public on the pressing challenges of climate change and the benefits of renewable energy. Through community engagement and awareness campaigns, CSOs in the region try to keep environmental sustainability to be a priority in public discourse and action.
CSOs have also successfully influenced government policies, despite political constraints. A notable example is Kazakhstan’s anti-nuclear movement, Nevada-Semipalatinsk, a grassroots anti-nuclear group, where civil society advocacy led to the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in 1991.
Despite the significant contribution the civil society is bringing in the democratization process and shaping a more carbon neutral and inclusive future, throughout the past five years a number of laws were enforced to restrict or/and control the local NGOs.
Modern Challenges of CSO in the Region
As of May 1, 2020, there were 26,100 non-commercial organizations (NCOs) registered in Kyrgyzstan, with the largest shares being public associations and public funds—37% and 25%, respectively. In Kazakhstan, there are over 23,000 registered NGOs, most of which are based in Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, as well as in the Karaganda and Kyzylorda regions. In Uzbekistan, as of 2018, there were 9,235 organizations classified as NGOs, including territorial branches of political parties and trade unions.
In Tajikistan, civil society includes a wide range of participants, from local organizations to officially registered public associations. However, despite the existence of 1,723 NGOs registered with state authorities as of 2009, the government of Tajikistan continues to impose restrictions on civil society. In November 2023, it was announced that 700 NGOs had been liquidated over the past 18 months. Some NGOs were forced to close following the unrest in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in 2022. After these events, only about 10% of the 300 registered organizations can continue their activities.
Recently, given the changes in Kyrgyzstan’s political system, the President signed the “Law on foreign agents”, which significantly restricts the activities of NGOs. Under these new provisions, organizations that receive foreign funding and engage in political activities will be required to obtain the status of a “foreign representative” and be included in a special roaster.
The new law clearly defines that political activity includes the participation of NGOs in holding meetings, rallies, demonstrations, debates, public opinion polls and other public events. The introduction of the status of “foreign representative” for NGOs funded from abroad represents a humiliating registration that may force many organizations to cease their activities. According to human rights groups, the new registration and reporting requirements create additional barriers for NGOs, which already have to report on par with commercial organizations. NGOs are required to submit additional reports that are not applicable to commercial entities, and these reports are accessible to the public.
CSOs in Central Asia are leading efforts to ensure that the region’s green and just transition is both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. Their initiatives expand to a wide range of critical issues, from combating air pollution to providing clean energy solutions.
CSO as a Driving Force for Green and Just Transition: Success Stories
Move Green (Kyrgyzstan): Fighting Air Pollution
For instance, Move Green, a prominent environmental NGO in Kyrgyzstan, has been advocating and mobilizing citizens to fight against air pollution, particularly in the capital city of Bishkek. Bishkek faces severe air quality issues due to vehicle emissions, coal heating, and industrial activities. Move Green launched a campaign for civil monitoring of air pollution levels using low-cost air quality sensors, making the data publicly available through online platforms. It increased awareness about air pollution, harm to health and empowered citizens to advocate for cleaner air, participate in public hearings and push local authorities to address the issue. The organization continues upscaling their activities on a regional level by raising issues of air quality through the Air Quality Central Asia Dialogue Platform.
Little Earth (Tajikistan): Renewable Energy for Remote Mountain Communities
In the case of Tajikistan, the youth environmental organization Little Earth, focuses on providing renewable energy solutions to remote mountainous areas, where access to conventional energy is scarce and high and the local population faces high poverty rates. The organization has implemented small-scale solar energy projects and energy-efficient technologies, bringing clean energy to the remote mountainous communities that previously relied on wood or other biomass fuels for heating and cooking. The initiative improves the quality of life for residents but also reduces deforestation and environmental degradation transforming rural livelihoods while promoting environmental sustainability.
Artcom (Kazakhstan): SOS Taldykol Campaign
The recent SOS Taldykol campaign, led by the Artcom in Kazakhstan, is a strong example of civil society mobilization to protect natural ecosystems. A campaign was launched to stop the draining and development of Taldykol Lake for the construction of a residential complex. The lake is a key wetland near Nur-Sultan, which provides habitat for diverse wildlife and serves as a natural water regulator. Artcom combined environmental advocacy with creative art activism to raise awareness about the ecological importance of Taldykol. The campaign successfully garnered public and media attention, pressuring the government to reconsider its development plans. Although the fight for the protection of Taldykol continues, the campaign has raised a national dialogue on the need for sustainable urban planning and the preservation of natural habitats.
Legal Framework for CSO Protection
Climate justice, an emerging principle within international human rights discourse, emphasizes the need for equitable and fair treatment of all individuals and communities affected by climate change. It seeks to address not only the environmental impacts but also the social, economic, and legal implications of climate change, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The legal foundations of freedom of association in Central Asian countries are essential in ensuring that NGOs and CSOs can effectively participate in these processes. The right to freedom of non-governmental organizations is a fundamental human right recognized by the international community and reflected in the national constitutions of many countries, including Kyrgyzstaт, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan. For example, Article 36 of the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of association”. Similarly, Article 28 of the Constitution of Tajikistan reads: “Citizens have the right to associate. Citizens are entitled to participate in the creation of political parties, trade unions, and other public associations, and to join or leave them voluntarily”. Article 39 the Constitution of Uzbekistan states : “Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan have the right to unite in trade unions, political parties and other public associations, and to participate in mass movements”. Article 23 of the Constitution of Kazakhstan reads: “Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan have the right to freedom of association. The activities of public associations are regulated by law”.
This freedom of association, as enshrined in these constitutions, is also affirmed by international legal documents such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Adopted by the UN in 1966, the ICCPR guarantees the right to freedom of association in Article 22, stating that the exercise of this right should not be subject to restrictions except those necessary for the protection of national or public security, public order, health or morals, or the rights and freedoms of others.
In democratic countries, standards for regulating NGO activities have been established. These standards are based on discussions in the parliaments of different countries, international human rights conventions, and decisions of the United Nations Human Rights Committee. The majority of countries worldwide have joined the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which, in Article 22, guarantees the right to freedom of association. The UN Human Rights Committee considers disputes between citizens and NGOs on one side and the state on the other, and its decisions create precedents that are binding for the countries that have acceded to the ICCPR. Kyrgyzstan joined the Covenant and its First Optional Protocol in 1994, Tajikistan followed in 1999, Uzbekistan joined in 1995 and Kazakhstan ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2005, thereby committing to recognize and enforce the decisions of the UN Human Rights Committee and granting its citizens the right to appeal to the Committee in case of violations of their rights enshrined in the Covenant.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Although the documents of international non-governmental organizations do not have binding legal force, they influence international law and the positions of individual states, contributing to the formation of norms and standards in the area of freedom of association.
Civil society organizations in Central Asia play a crucial role in ensuring the region’s environmentally sustainable and socially equitable transition to a low-carbon economy. Despite difficult political conditions, government restrictions and economic difficulties, non-governmental organizations continue to have a significant impact on public debate and environmental policy development. They actively inform and engage the public, promote renewable energy solutions and protect the rights of vulnerable groups. However, recent legislative changes aimed at limiting their activities pose a serious challenge to the further development of civil society and environmental and social reforms in the region.
There is a long challenging passway that grassroot organizations and movements need to undergone in the constantly changing conditions and political situation in the regions. NGOs in Central Asia should continue to actively defend their rights to freedom of association by engaging international legal mechanisms and norms. To do this, it is necessary to continue training and supporting NGO leaders in the legal foundations and their activities. NGOs need to continue to engage constructively with government agencies in an effort to improve the legislative framework for their activities. They can offer solutions based on international standards and best practices to ensure that policy makers promote the development of a green economy and a fair transition.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in promoting climate justice by advocating for stronger environmental policies, holding governments accountable, and ensuring that marginalized groups have a voice in climate-related decision-making processes. The development of non-governmental organizations in Central Asia shows that despite the difficulties, the region’s civil society is strengthening. NGOs play a crucial role in addressing social and environmental issues, supporting human rights, and developing democracy, even under conditions of restrictions and pressure from states. This highlights the need for further promotion and support of civil society as the foundation for sustainable and democratic development in Central Asian countries.