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forest degradation (MoENR 2014). The section on
biodiversity threats, impacts and trends (under the
section on climate change) indicates adaptation
as a main priority and states: “agriculture, optimal
management of water resources, restoration of
forests, afforestation, conservation and efficient
use of agricultural biodiversity in arid and semi-
arid zones, struggle against desertification are the
main adaptation areas”. Climate adaptation is also
addressed in the section on agriculture (Chapter:
Effectiveness of the mainstreaming of biodiversity
into relevant sectoral and cross-sectoral strategies,
plans and programmes).
Azerbaijan’s most recent national report to the CBD
takes into account recent CBD targets, including
those related to climate change. The report states that
development of the new Strategy on Conservation
and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity will present
climate change adaptation more conspicuously.
ecosystems. Climate adaptation is also addressed under
the chapter on biodiversity of Black Sea.
The strategy’s action plan covers a number of concrete
climate change adaptation related measures starting
from awareness-raising to development and adoption
of relevant forest regulations and standards, through a
participatory approach, that promote the sustainable
use of non-wood products, the restoration of natural
forest landscapes and adaptation to and mitigation of
climate change. High mountain regions are earmarked
as priorities for further study and action. Climate change
impacts are also highlighted under other chapters of the
strategy as a factor which should be taken into account
in biodiversity protection and conservation measures.
Under the most recent national report to CBD,
climate change impact was presented as a key threat
to biodiversity in mountain ecosystems; with a
particular emphasis on the mountain regions of
Adjara, Zemo-Svaneti and Borjomi.
Water management
A number of different national laws regulate water
management in the three countries of the South
Caucasus. Armenian legislation has recognised the
principle of river basin management since 2002.
Azerbaijan and Georgia still keep their former
legislative frameworks. So far, only Armenia has
developed Integrated River Management Plans
(IRMPs) under its national legal framework.
Armenia’s legal framework provides a list of issues to
be covered by IRMPs which, among others, covers
climate change adaptation. In the other two countries,
climate change adaptation in the water sector is not
covered by a legal framework, however, recent/
ongoing EU and USAID pilot projects implemented
in the South Caucasus countries address climate
change aspects through water management plans.
Georgia
The second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan of Georgia 2014 – 2020 is structured according to
sectoral chapters, which include strategic approaches
and actions related to species, habitats and protected
areas (MoENRP 2014). Climate change adaptation is
addressed in two of those chapters:
• forest ecosystems and
• agricultural biodiversity and natural grasslands.
The strategy stresses a need for development of a
separate legally binding document addressing the
impact of climate change on the national forests – as
climate change is likely to significantly affect Georgia’s
forests in future. According to the strategy, an overall
understanding of the impact of climate change on
Georgia’s biodiversity is extremely limited and no
credible assessments have been conducted todetermine
the influence of stress factors caused by climate change
on high mountain areas, wetlands and semi-arid