Expedition discovers rapid, unprecedented melting of Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor glacier

An expedition to Pakhtakor glacier, the largest glacier in Uzbekistan's Tashkent region, has revealed rapid and unprecedented melting.

The expedition, a collaborative effort by Uzbekistan's Scientific Research Institute of Hydrometeorology, the German Earth Research Centre and the Green Central Asia initiative, discovered the retreat of the glacier's "ice tongue." 

Climatologist Erkin Abdulahatov reported that a 3-metre stake embedded in the ice in the summer of 2023, now stands separated from the glacier at a distance of 20 metres due to the high pace of melting.

After a challenging day’s trek from Oygaing avalanche meteorological station, the team reached the glacier and collected critical data from weather equipment installed at the site. The data will be instrumental in understanding the dynamics of the glacier's rapid melt and its broader environmental implications.

Amid towering mountains, 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the nearest meteorological station, Pakhtakor Glacier is undergoing changes that threaten the local ecosystem and signal broader climatic shifts that will have significant impacts across Central Asia.

Uzbekistan says it has consistently raised awareness of climate change issues on international platforms. It has particularly focused on the drying up of the Aral Sea, desertification and the increasing frequency of natural disasters. 

These environmental challenges are impacting ecosystems, economies and the well-being of communities, reinforcing Uzbekistan's desire to take a proactive stance in global climate discussions, say officials.

Uzbekistan has committed to a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 2030 under the Paris Agreement, with investments in solar and wind energy, along with regional and international climate initiatives, forming the backbone of the strategy to combat climate change and mitigate impacts.