Tajikistan receives funding to combat climate change in Central Asia

The Green Climate Fund approved a regional program to help Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan adapt to climate change.

The initiative, called Climate Resilient Landscapes in Central Asia, has a total budget of 264.4 million euros over seven years. Tajikistan will receive 72.25 million euros to support rural communities and restore degraded forests, pastures, and agricultural land.

The funding package includes 35.09 million euros in grants from the Green Climate Fund, 2.48 million euros from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and a proposed 30 million euro loan from the European Investment Bank. The Tajik government will provide 4.68 million euros in in-kind contributions. The European Investment Bank loan remains subject to further agreements and approvals. The project focuses on the Fergana Valley and the southern border region, including Khatlon Province.

Workers in Khatlon Province are particularly vulnerable because 64% of people there work in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The program will introduce water-saving irrigation, drought-resistant crops, and better climate monitoring systems. It also intends to help small businesses and farmers access financing for sustainable practices. The initiative aims to support more than one million people across the three countries.

It seeks to bring 939,000 hectares of land under sustainable management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6.95 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Uzbekistan will receive the largest share of the funding at 103.75 million euros, while Kyrgyzstan will receive 74.49 million euros.