Preparing the Climate Adaptive Water Resources Management in The Aral Sea Basin Project - Additional Climate Assessments
The problem:
The Aral Sea Basin, particularly the Amu Darya River Basin, faces significant challenges due to climate change, which threatens water resources, agricultural productivity, and rural livelihoods. The region has already been severely impacted by the shrinking of the Aral Sea, leading to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and economic hardship for local communities. Climate change exacerbates these issues by altering precipitation patterns, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, and reducing water availability. These changes pose serious risks to critical water and irrigation infrastructure, which are essential for the region's agriculture-dependent economy.
Moreover, the existing policies, sociocultural norms, and economic incentives are often insufficient to promote climate-resilient practices. There is a lack of comprehensive climate risk assessments and adaptation strategies tailored to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of the Amu Darya Basin. Without a clear understanding of the climate impacts on water resources and farming practices, it is challenging to prioritize investments and develop effective adaptation measures. This situation is further complicated by the need to balance immediate water demands with long-term sustainability goals, all while ensuring gender inclusion and the protection of vulnerable communities.
The solution:
InfoCapital Group LLC, under the project, conducted a series of comprehensive climate risk and adaptation assessments focused on the Amu Darya River Basin. The project aimed to shift the approach from merely climate-proofing specific investments to using climate vulnerability as a starting point for identifying and prioritizing investment areas that would build long-term resilience. The assessments involved a basin-wide analysis of climate change impacts on water availability, demand, rural livelihoods, and critical water-related infrastructure. This included using climate models and GIS mapping to identify the most vulnerable areas and infrastructure.
A key aspect of the solution was the consultative adaptation planning process, which engaged various stakeholders, including government counterparts, farming communities, and civil society. Through this process, the project identified barriers to implementing climate-adaptive solutions, such as policy gaps, economic constraints, and sociocultural norms. The project then developed a strategic adaptation plan that included a portfolio of prioritized measures, considering economic viability, gender inclusion, and the needs of the most vulnerable communities.
The final outcome was the identification of priority investments and measures that could be integrated into future subprojects and adaptation initiatives. These measures were designed to enhance the climate resilience of the Amu Darya Basin, protect rural livelihoods, and ensure sustainable water resource management in the face of ongoing climate change.
