Bishkek became a participant in the EBRD Green Cities program in 2019, and in July 2024, the Green City Action Plan (GCAP) was approved, which aims to address priority environmental issues. The initial project of the program was the acquisition of 230 new buses powered by liquefied natural gas to replace old diesel ones, as well as the reconstruction of the bus depot. The project also includes the modernization of repair facilities and the digitalization of processes, which, according to expert assessments, should lead to a 38% reduction in CO₂ emissions.
As part of the GCAP, new projects are currently being developed, including the modernization of Bishkek's central heating system. This project aims to address one of the city's main environmental problems — air pollution — as well as to improve energy efficiency and reduce harmful emissions from heating.
Osh became part of the EBRD Green Cities program in May 2025, signing two initial projects — for the development of water supply and wastewater systems, as well as electric public transport. The water supply and sewage project includes the modernization and expansion of existing treatment facilities with an increase in capacity of 40,000 cubic meters per day. The transport project involves the construction of a new trolleybus line, modernization of existing infrastructure and depots, as well as the procurement of up to 40 modern trolleybuses.
“We plan to continue our cooperation with Bishkek and Osh and will be happy to see new cities joining our program. I want to emphasize that the implementation of infrastructure projects takes time due to their complexity and lengthy procurement procedures; however, for us, quality remains a priority, not speed,” noted Matteo Patrone.
