ECOLOGY AND PUBLIC OPINION: CITIZENS’ VIEWS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR A GREEN FUTURE ON THE PATH TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

As part of the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility, being held in Samarkand, issues of environmental security, climate change, environmental protection, and the transition to a green economy are at the center of the international community’s attention. In his address, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev identified environmental sustainability, air quality, biodiversity conservation, waste management, the expansion of green spaces, and the development of environmental education as key priorities of state policy. It was also particularly emphasized that environmental transformation in Uzbekistan is regarded as a new model of development.

Today, climate change, air pollution, the rational use of water resources, waste recycling, and the implementation of green economy principles are becoming not only important areas of public policy but also highly relevant subjects for public opinion research. Effective solutions to environmental challenges cannot be fully achieved without a strong environmental culture, a responsible attitude, and the active participation of citizens.

From this perspective, the Republican Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr” regularly conducts comprehensive sociological research within the environmental agenda. The Center places particular emphasis on studying citizens’ attitudes towards environmental protection, their assessments of environmental challenges, the level of public support for green initiatives, and the factors influencing the development of environmental awareness and culture.

In June of this year, the Center plans to conduct the following major studies:

• “Ecology and Public Opinion: Citizens’ Perceptions of the State of the Environment”;
• “Citizens on the Transition to a Green Economy: Support, Barriers, and Expectations”.

These studies will examine public assessments of the environmental situation, citizens’ views on air and water quality, practices related to waste sorting and recycling, attitudes towards energy-saving technologies, expected social and economic effects of the transition to a green economy, as well as the main barriers and concerns associated with this process.

The findings of these studies will contribute to the development of practical recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of environmental policy in Uzbekistan, strengthening environmental awareness and culture among the population, supporting the transition to a green economy, and advancing the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Today, environmental sustainability and environmental protection are not only matters of preserving nature, but also essential conditions for safeguarding human health, improving quality of life, and ensuring the well-being of future generations. Therefore, the regular study of public opinion and the expansion of citizens’ participation in environmental processes constitute an integral part of modern environmental governance.