The Mega Challenge of Climate Change: Preparing for New Realities

Central Asian countries are affected both by the climate change and climate change mitigation and adaptation policies adopted inside and outside the region. In preparation for new realities, they are fostering regional water management cooperation and developing ambitious decarbonization plans. But are they doing enough? The roundtable will discuss the impact of climate change on Central Asian hydro-politics, the implications of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for the economies of the region, and local carbon pricing efforts.

Asel Murzakulova, The Impact of Climate Change on Central Asian Hydro-Politics

The political recognition of climate change and its impact on water resources is transforming the security landscape in Central Asia. It strengthens the negotiating position of upstream states. It is likely that future water agreements will focus on securing guaranteed water volumes in upstream reservoirs of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Yueshu Zhao, Rewiring Trade: CBAM’s Ripple Effect on Central Asia's Economic Future
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) brings new challenges for Central Asia, but not all countries will feel the effects equally. Kazakhstan, with its reliance on carbon-heavy exports, is set to bear the heaviest financial burden under the new policy. In contrast, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, exporting lower-carbon goods, will experience more moderate impacts.

Rahat Sabyrbekov, Carbon pricing in Central Asia: Opportunities and Barriers

As the global consequences of climate change intensify, there is an urgent global effort to implement strategies for mitigation. Carbon pricing stands out as a crucial tool in this endeavor, with carbon tax and emissions trading systems (ETS) emerging as primary instruments. The study focuses on the economic costs and barriers associated with the implementation of carbon pricing and identifies the sectors that will predominantly bear these costs.

Host or Publisher Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies