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While some south Caucasus countries are starting
to enact such commitments, other countries are
taking a more cautious approach towards political
engagement. Climate change is mentioned, even
though not sufficiently, in a number of legally
binding policies, especially high profile documents
such as development strategies. Some countries
are on the path to adopt an ecosystem based
adaptation approach. It is hoped, for example, that
Georgia’s biodiversity strategy and Armenia’s climate
adaptation vision will lead to concrete adaptation
measures. Regardless of some positive developments,
there are few laws or subordinated regulations that
include provisions on climate change or promote
climate change adaptation. The existing legal
framework remains fragmented and insufficient for
full-scale deployment of climate adaptation action.
With some exceptions, climate change remains
profoundly linked to environmental policy.
Safeguarding environmental integrity and building
resilience to climate change is elaborated in detail in
documents relating to environmental protection (e.g.
national environmental action plans, documents
on biodiversity protection and combatting
desertification, national forest programs). Some
countries, such as Azerbaijan, are responding to
impacts of climate change, such as the projected
water shortages, long drought periods, and outbreaks
in pests and diseases, through a strategic food supply
programme. However, adequate climate change
considerations are lacking in the planning documents
for other important economic sectors that will face
threats from climate change. The impacts of climate
change on energy provision, health, and water
supply,
1
for example, are not adequately covered by
policy measures.
Certain aspects of climate change impacts are not
addressed at all by any government assessment
or policy document. These include the impact on
specific vulnerable groups such as women (who are
disproportionately affected by climate change) and
people living under the poverty line, particularly in
mountains energy security and safety of industry
sector. At the national level, countries would benefit
from a coherent policy approach towards climate
change adaptation, which could be a framework and
strategic guide for mainstreaming climate change
adaptation considerations into sectoral development
plans and strategies.
The increase in frequency and severity of natural
disasters has led the countries of the SouthCaucasus to
invest more in disaster risk reduction measures, such
as prevention of floods or sea storms, afforestation
measures,andsustainablewaterandlandmanagement.
Municipalities and local stakeholders are essential
stakeholders in the climate change discussions and
design of appropriate responses to address impacts of
climate change. Some municipalities already invest, in
or co-finance infrastructure projects that are “climate
proofed” (e.g. projects addressing flooding or sea
level rise). However, these activities are not classified
or reported as “adaptation projects”. This means
there may be more adaptation activities than what is