ALM UNDP

Summary:

Uzbekistan is situated in the heart of Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The main part of Uzbekistan's territory falls on the desert plains. Uzbekistan's terrain is mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes. Desert forests account for 78 percent of its territory. The eastern part and the north-east consist of mountains and foothills. Potential adaptation measures include: the implementation of an integrated water resources management system, water saving, the improvement of irrigation-drainage systems, the introduction of drought-resistant plant species, and monitoring for potential natural hazards. Uzbekistan's climate is arid continental. The northern region of Uzbekistan is temperate, whilst the southern region is subtropical. The country’s climate is characterized by seasonal and day-to-night fluctuations in air temperatures. Summer in Uzbekistan is long, dry and hot; Spring is humid; and Winter in Uzbekistan is irregular. Air temperatures in the desert can reach 45-49 degrees Celsius. In the southern region, temperatures can drop down to -25 degrees Celsius. In the plains of Uzbekistan, precipitation is minimal (between 80-200 millimeters). In the foothills, precipitation can be as much as 300-400 millimeters per year, and about 600-800 millimeters per year on the west and south-west slopes of mountain ridges. Biodiversity in Uzbekistan is currently threatened due to high anthropogenic load. Climate change intensifies the desertification process and decreases water resources, leading to reduced biodiversity in riparian forests and water ecosystems. The biodiversity of the Aral Sea, for example, has been greatly reduced. An increase in the frequency of natural disasters is a potential issue for Uzbekistan. Estimates show increases in the number of mudflows and avalanches are expected up until 2050.

Uzbekistan is the world’s fifth largest cotton producer and second-largest cotton exporter. Major raw materials exported include gold, natural gas, copper and other non-ferrous metals and construction materials. The country possesses a young and educated labor force, rich agricultural resources and has significant economic potential (World Bank, 2010; UNDP, 2009). The service sector of Uzbekistan constitutes 39.5 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The agriculture sector is also vital to Uzbekistan's economy, constituting 24.1 percent of the country’s GDP. Irrigated farming forms the base of agricultural production. Consequently Uzbekistan uses approximately 90 percent of surface water for irrigation. Lack of water resources and land degradation are currently threatening the productivity of this sector. Increasing air temperatures associated with global warming pose a significant threat to this sector, reducing the available water for irrigation. As up to 80 percent of the foodstuffs required for the country's population are produced by the agrarian sector, reductions in productivity could threaten the food security of the country. High soil salinity is also an issue in Uzbekistan. Arable lands located at the lower reaches of rivers are especially saline, affecting agricultural productivity.

ADAPTATION NEEDS AND PRIORITIES:

The country’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC provides a detailed assessment of observed climate impacts, potential future impacts of climate change, anticipated vulnerabilities and needed adaptation measures. Compared to other countries in the region, Uzbekistan has provided detailed assessments of impacts on a number of key sectors such as agriculture, water and forestry, as well as impacts on human health and key industries. These impacts are a result of anticipated climatic changes in the country, which include increased temperatures and greater evapotranspiration, as well as increased precipitation—particularly in winter (ROU, 2008).
The National Communication also identifies major barriers to implementation of the listed adaptation measures. These barriers include: lack of financial resources across all the sectors; lack of technical expertise and skills at the scale needed to address these actions; and lack of applied research and developments that could connect climate change impact assessments with other environmental and societal challenges. Based on conducted impact assessments and experiences with adaptation options, Uzbekistan also stresses the necessity to review national frameworks and legislation—such as those related to natural resource management, agricultural development and health issues. Finally, the need to extend the dialogue among the countries of Central Asia is emphasized in order to explore opportunities for transboundary watershed management, biodiversity conservation, share experiences with impacts and adaptations, and develop shared monitoring and early warning systems (ROU, 2008).

NATIONAL LEVEL POLICIES:

In Uzbekistan, a number of government initiatives are being developed that have relevance for climate change adaptation; however, adaptation has not been integrated into their design. For example, the Rational Use and Preservation of Land and Water Resource Program focuses on issues relevant for adaptation like the creation of efficient and environmentally sound technologies in irrigated land improvement, environment protection, nature use, environmental safety and protection from stress factors program. Another example is the Development of New Methods for Prevention, Diagnostics, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Human Diseases that also addresses impacts from heat-waves.
Other strategies such as the National Strategy of Sustainable Development aims to promote sustainable development resource management, agriculture and increase overall human well-being, and also includes adaptation and mitigation to climate change. Finally, Uzbekistan is developing its strategy focused on Integration of Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change into Sustainable Development Policy Planning and Implementation with specific attention being given to the country’s most vulnerable social and economic sectors.

CURRENT ADAPTATION ACTION:

Uzbekistan is involved in a few regional initiatives that dominate the country’s adaptation efforts. Within the regional adaptation initiatives involving Uzbekistan, the focus is on health, transboundary watershed management and sustainable land management. Funders of these projects include the Asian Development Bank, Germany, the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) and World Bank; implementation agencies including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Although no nationally focused adaptation initiatives were identified through the review, a few local, small-scale projects have recently begun to be implemented in the areas of agriculture, land and water management. The current focus of these projects remain more on development assistance with limited integration of climate change adaptation. Adaptation projects in Uzbekistan thus are often separate initiatives without explicit links to ongoing development projects.

ASSESSMENT:

Uzbekistan’s Second National Communication provides a detailed review of potential impacts of climate change, their consequences and needed adaptation actions. In most of the priority sectors it identifies, detailed lists of adaptation measures are provided. Through its participation in several ongoing regional projects, some of these adaptation needs are being met, particularly in the areas of agriculture, water, land management and health.
Major gaps in the country’s adaptation activities could be listed as follows:
1. While widely recognizing the overall need to increase the education of people and professionals about adaptation actions, currently no such projects are being conducted in the country.
2. There is limited availability of experts with the knowledge and skills required to assess the impacts of climate change, determine appropriate adaptation measures and mainstreaming them into frameworks, programs and policies aiming to improve Uzbekistan’s economic situation and sustainable development. Country report identifies a need to improve collaboration, data collection, assessments, management and knowledge sharing on issues related to climate change impacts and adaptation, and in this way to also increase the effectiveness of adaptation actions.
3. There is a particular need to mainstream adaptation into the country’s ongoing institutional reforms, especially in industry and natural resource management.
4. The adaptation projects currently implemented in the country are largely focused on research and climate modeling with less attention on social issues and practical actions.
5. None of the adaptation initiatives being implemented within Uzbekistan specifically seeks to understand and ameliorate the gender-based differences of climate change.

Primary Source: Bizikova, Livia; Hove, Hilary; Parry, Jo-Ellen. (2011) “Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central Asia.” Adaptation Partnership / International Institute for Sustainable Development.

Additional References:

• Republic of Uzbekistan [ROU] (2008). Second National Communication of the Republic of Uzbekistan under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Tashkent: Centre of Hydrometeorological Service under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Retrieved from http://maindb.unfccc.int/library/view_pdf.pl?url=http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/uzbnc2e.pdf
  
• United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] (2009). Central Asia Regional Risk Assessment: Responding to water, energy, and food insecurity. New York: United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS.
  
• World Bank (2010). Country Profile – Uzbekistan. Retrieved from www.worldbank.org/uz