UN agency launches green building project in Turkmenistan

New initiative aims to align Turkmenistan’s construction sector with Paris Agreement goals and reduce carbon emissions nationwide

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (MNTV) — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Environment Protection, has launched a new initiative to enhance energy efficiency and promote sustainable construction across the country.

The project, titled Developing National Capacity of Turkmenistan through Improving Regulatory Environment towards Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building Sector (TEESB), was introduced at an inception seminar this week. 

It is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Daryo News reports. 

According to a UNDP press release, the project builds on earlier efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions and expand small-scale renewable energy in Turkmenistan. 

The goal is to accelerate the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy while improving the overall quality of life through greener infrastructure.

The initiative has two key pillars:

• Demonstrating Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) by upgrading building materials, integrating renewable energy, and deploying digital monitoring systems for energy management.

• Reforming the Regulatory Framework to enforce modern construction standards that ensure near-zero energy use, and establishing institutional mechanisms to promote long-term energy efficiency.
  

Narine Sahakyan, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, said the project reflects a shared commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection.

“Improving energy efficiency and introducing green building standards are vital steps toward lowering emissions and enhancing living standards,” Sahakyan said, expressing confidence in the project’s impact on advancing Turkmenistan’s climate agenda.

Jana Koperniech, Regional Technical Adviser at the UNDP Hub in Istanbul, noted that the building sector—particularly public and multi-family housing—accounts for a significant share of national energy use and emissions. 

She described the project as a chance for “transformational change” aligned with Turkmenistan’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.

Implementation will involve the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ashgabat City Administration, with the Ministry of Environment Protection leading technical coordination in partnership with UNDP.

The introduction of energy-efficient technologies and improved regulations is expected to contribute significantly to Turkmenistan’s international climate commitments and sustainable development goals.