Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the South Caucasus Mountains

Executive summary

the necessity of prioritizing climate change adaptation. However, this outlook reveals that even though the importance of climate change gains recognition among some decision-makers, adaptation activities, particularly in the mountain regions, are still at an early stage of development. For instance, specific climate change adaptation activities are few, and consistent coordination and a long-term strategic approaches are missing. This report also highlights which ecosystems (e.g. forests) and economic sectors (e.g. energy, agriculture, mining, tourism) are most vulnerable to climate change, as well as the impacts of climate change on human health and well-being. Recently submitted Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from the South Caucasus countries highlight the countries’ commitment towards an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention. INDCs further outline concrete emission reduction plans and highlight some adaptation approaches. The respective National Communications to the UNFCCC are the main reference documents where climate change adaptation plans and interventions are laid out. These documents are widely used as source of key references especially by international development agencies and non-governmental organizations and serve as tools for progress measuring. Political commitments and legal mechanisms are the basis for implementing concrete actions on climate mitigation and adaptation processes.

Changes in climate patterns are already evident in the South Caucasus countries – Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. Annual temperatures are increasing accompanied by severe heat waves and droughts. More extreme weather events, such as heavy rains and unusual hail storms, and changes in precipitation patterns are also linked to climate change. Human casualties, damage to infrastructure and economic losses are increasing due to intensifying natural disasters such as floods, landslides and mudslides. The latest large-scale natural disaster occurred in Tbilisi, Georgia in June 2015, when heavy rainfall triggered landsides and disgorged debris in the capital of Georgia. This disaster resulted in 19 human casualties and economic losses of about US$ 100 million. In the region, the majority of natural disasters occur in the mountains, which cover the largest territory of the South Caucasus. These disasters threaten not only mountain inhabitants and critical infrastructure but also people living in the lowlands. Moreover, poverty rates are higher and gender inequality more profound in mountain regions than in lowland and urban centres, where access to basic resources such as energy and water is secured. The national trends towards a warmer and drier climate (with some exceptions) will continue leading to serious consequences such as water shortages and desertification in all three countries. At the policy level, the South Caucasus countries recognize the adverse effects posing severe threats to both ecosystems and national economic sectors and

Walking near the mountains of Armenia

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