Climate Change

Climate Change is the greatest and most challenging, single threat for Kyrgyzstan in the 21 century. Given its mountainous terrain and a water and energy supply system that are heavily dependent on glaciers and seasonal precipitation patterns, Kyrgyzstan is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Climate change is predicted to lead to rising temperatures, changes in precipitation, water scarcity and the increase of extreme weather events, all of which will have detrimental affects on local communities, mountain ecosystems and mountainous livelihoods across Kyrgyzstan. Such climate change impacts are already evident in Kyrgyzstan and were responsible for prolonged power blackouts in the winters of 2010/11 and 2014/15. We believe that Kyrgyzstan has little choice but to urgently adapt to climate change in order to avoid the most severe consequences and to protect its most vulnerable population from the adverse effects of climate change. This however, requires a holistic approach, genuine commitment and concerted efforts from all relevant stakeholders, including government, donors, research institutions and the public.

Unison joined the climate change movement Kyrgyzstan in 2009 and is today one of the most active organization in the Kyrgyz climate change sector. Unison works to improve civil society participation in international climate negotiations, raise public awareness on climate change issues via public campaigns, round tables and public events, promotes greater collaboration among civil society through the Climate Action Network of Kyrgyzstan (CANK) and monitors state activities in regard to climate adaptation and green finance.

Learn more about Unison’s Climate Programs: