Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the South Caucasus Mountains

While some south Caucasus countries are starting to enact such commitments, other countries are taking a more cautious approach towards political engagement. Climate change is mentioned, even though not sufficiently, in a number of legally binding policies, especially high profile documents such as development strategies. Some countries are on the path to adopt an ecosystem based adaptation approach. It is hoped, for example, that Georgia’s biodiversity strategy and Armenia’s climate adaptation vision will lead to concrete adaptation measures. Regardless of some positive developments, there are few laws or subordinated regulations that include provisions on climate change or promote climate change adaptation. The existing legal framework remains fragmented and insufficient for full-scale deployment of climate adaptation action. With some exceptions, climate change remains profoundly linked to environmental policy. Safeguarding environmental integrity and building resilience to climate change is elaborated in detail in documents relating to environmental protection (e.g. national environmental action plans, documents on biodiversity protection and combatting desertification, national forest programs). Some countries, such as Azerbaijan, are responding to impacts of climate change, such as the projected water shortages, long drought periods, and outbreaks in pests and diseases, through a strategic food supply programme. However, adequate climate change considerations are lacking in the planning documents for other important economic sectors that will face

threats from climate change. The impacts of climate change on energy provision, health, and water supply, 1 for example, are not adequately covered by policy measures. Certain aspects of climate change impacts are not addressed at all by any government assessment or policy document. These include the impact on specific vulnerable groups such as women (who are disproportionately affected by climate change) and people living under the poverty line, particularly in mountains energy security and safety of industry sector. At the national level, countries would benefit from a coherent policy approach towards climate change adaptation, which could be a framework and strategic guide for mainstreaming climate change adaptation considerations into sectoral development plans and strategies. The increase in frequency and severity of natural disasters has led the countries of the SouthCaucasus to invest more in disaster risk reduction measures, such as prevention of floods or sea storms, afforestation measures,andsustainablewaterandlandmanagement. Municipalities and local stakeholders are essential stakeholders in the climate change discussions and design of appropriate responses to address impacts of climate change. Some municipalities already invest, in or co-finance infrastructure projects that are “climate proofed” (e.g. projects addressing flooding or sea level rise). However, these activities are not classified or reported as “adaptation projects”. This means there may be more adaptation activities than what is

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