According to international estimates, Kazakhstan belongs to the group of countries most vulnerable to climate change. Measurements show that the average annual temperature in Kazakhstan is growing faster than the global average. At the same time, water resourcescarcity and the frequency of droughts, the number of extreme weather events and heat waves are increasing. All of this has a major impact on all sectors of the economy and on human health, food security and natural ecosystems, and requires urgent adaptation measures.
In accordance with the obligations and on UNFCCC Kazakhstan has started development of a roadmap on adaptation to climate change. Recently accepted the Environmental Code provides, that the roadmap will serve as a basis for planning and integrating climate change adaptation activities in the economic sectors, that are legally defined as priorities[1], as well as in regional programs, implemented by local governments.
At the same time, we have proposed to consider water management as a key and cross-cutting issue for climate change adaptation in all sectors of the economy, especially in the sectors of agriculture and environmental protection. In this regard, sectoral and administrative-territorial planning in the field of environmental protection and climate change, provided for by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Kazakhstan, is proposed to supplement by the water basin approach, based on the natural integrity of natural ecosystems. This approach is particularly important in Kazakhstan, as limited water resources are of strategic importance and require cross- sectoral and inter -regional cooperation, as well as broad public participation. The basin approach will help to clarify the objectives and strengthen links between sectoral and territorial programs, and increase their effectiveness for climate change adaptation.
Taking into account natural, climatic, and economic factors, as well as forecasts for climate change and river flow, it is proposed to divide Kazakhstan into four regions with similar natural conditions for climate change adaptation[2]:
- Western region: Zhaiyk-Caspian basin (Aktobe region, Atyrau, West Kazakhstan and Mangystau region);
- Central region: Yesilsky, Tobol-Torgaysky and Nura-Sarysu basin (Akmola, North Kazakhstan Region, Kostanay, Karaganda regions and the city ofNur-Sultan).
- Eastern region: Yertis and Balkhash-Alakolsky basins (Pavlodar, East Kazakhstan, Almaty region and Almatycity, Zhambyl and Karaganda regions);
- Southern region: Aralo-Syrdarya and Shu-Talas Basin (Kyzylorda, Zhambyl, Turkestan regions and the city of Shymkent).
At the same time, there are also links between these regions, based on the natural integrity of natural ecosystems and long-term development plans. For example, economic activity in Karaganda and Zhambyl regions have an impact on the state of Ile-Balkhash basin, and water supply issues in the Central region (Karaganda region and the Nur-Sultan city) are connected to the neighboring- the Yertis river basin. Thus, the basin approach, makes it possible to establish links between regional and sectoral programs for further coordinated actions to adapt climate change, especially in areas, that go beyond administrative boundaries (water resources, forest ecosystems, natural emergencies, etc.), as well as for solutions, based on natural processes[3].
The basin approach will create a framework for involving the population and businesses, women, youth and local communities in the planning and implementation of activities, using the capacities of public basin councils, established in Kazakhstan according to Water Code. This approach also supports the harmonization and improvement of efforts on adaptation to climate change and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) at the interstate level, including on transboundary water resources and natural ecosystems, natural extreme events, and other areas of international cooperation.
To develop practical measures, it is proposed to hold series of consultations with ministries and regional governments, as well as with the participation of public, scientific and international organizations, in September-October of this year.
The consultations will discuss the draft Roadmap for Climate Change Adaptation and plan of activities broken down by sector and administrative territory. Ministries and departments, local governments, enterprises, private, scientific and public organizations are invited to review these documents and supplement them for future discussions at regional consultations. The draft Roadmap and plan of actions, as well as other related documents, are available to all interested parties and organizations in Russian (and Kazakh) at this link.
The roadmap and plan of actions on adaptation to climate change will be part of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of Kazakhstan and will be presented at the international level in accordance with the obligations of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the UNFCCC.
Dr. Bulat K.Yessekin,
Expert,
[1] Agriculture, water resources, forest sector, disaster risk reduction
[2] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x51wFeZyZEa5VSLwXW-ZTQNta1DLWbiW/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17-VgmCMoFfm6tdvxvdbOl3pDqltmB8Ne/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jv1eaPmOA4P05biC2USCSJTYfV6DJHRC/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1is3IRwE-4Mk-WI61uFSJCZRz-G03G2sB/view?usp=sharing
[3] Solutions based on natural processes are recognized today as more sustainable than conventional and widespread technical measures in the past, for example, such as the construction of dams and reservoirs, often leading to long-term negative environmental and social consequences and fragmentation of the habitat. Any measures that are too narrowly aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change should be evaluated in terms of their overall benefits, environmental and social sustainability