Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Tajikistan

Tajikistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly in its water, agriculture, and energy sectors, due to high sensitivity to climate risks and low adaptive capacity. While the government has initiated policy frameworks and is developing a national adaptation strategy, progress is hindered by institutional capacity limitations. Adaptation efforts are currently driven largely by the Pilot Program on Climate Resilience (PPCR), with a strong focus on infrastructure and technical capacity, though rural communities and the health sector remain underserved.

• Tajikistan is among the most vulnerable countries in Central Asia to climate change, characterized by high sensitivity to risks and low adaptive capacity linked to income inequality and biophysical challenges.
• Observed climate trends between 1940 and 2012 show mean annual temperatures increasing across the country, with the most prominent changes occurring in winter, spring, and fall. This warming trend is linked to a reduction in glacier area by approximately one-third since the 1930s.
• Climate projections suggest temperatures may rise by up to 5˚C in some areas by 2100. Glaciers, which cover about 6% of the country, are expected to decrease in area by 15% to 20% if current degradation rates continue, leading to an initial increase and subsequent decrease in river flows.
• The water, agriculture, energy, and health sectors are identified as most critical. Specific risks include reduced water availability, intensified desertification, fluctuations in hydropower generation, and increased incidence of water-borne diseases and malaria.
• Rural areas are more vulnerable than urban areas, with the most affected regions being the eastern part of the Region of Republican Subordination, the southern Sughd hills, and the Khatlon hills and lowlands. Women and children are particularly vulnerable due to their roles in securing household resources and limited decision-making power.
• Tajikistan's climate governance is fragmented; while a Climate Change Centre exists, there is no comprehensive climate change law or strategy. A National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan was under development as of 2015.
• Institutional capacity for climate action is low, hampered by weak hydrometeorological data systems, a lack of expertise in climate science, and a tendency for government actors to view climate change as an environmental issue rather than a development issue.
• Adaptation projects are expanding, largely driven by the Pilot Program on Climate Resilience (PPCR). Identified projects focus heavily on climate information (24%), agriculture (18%), and water/energy/disaster risk management (12% each).
• Tajikistan has received approximately US$78 million in approved climate finance since 2003, with US$75 million specifically for adaptation. However, actual disbursements are significantly lower than approved amounts.
• The Tajik NGO Climate Change Network (TajCN) serves as the primary community of practice, facilitating civil society engagement in national policy development and international UNFCCC negotiations.

APA

Dazé, A. (2016). Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Tajikistan. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55959-tajikistan.pdf

Chicago

Dazé, Angie. Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Tajikistan. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2016. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55959-tajikistan.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Dazé |first1=Angie |title=Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Tajikistan |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2016 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55959-tajikistan.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{daz2016review, author = {Dazé, Angie}, title = {{Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Tajikistan}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2016}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55959-tajikistan.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }