Climate Change Science and Policy in Central Asia: Current Situation and Future Perspectives

Abstract

AbstractCentral Asia is already experiencing negative climate change impacts. Projections show that future climatic change will negatively affect many climate-sensitive economic activities in the region, particularly agricultural production and associated livelihoods. Mitigating and adapting to climate change in Central Asia requires a significant increase in investment in climate change research, as well as the mainstreaming of adaptation actions into public policies. This paper assesses the current state of climate change science in the region and the key trends, based on a bibliometric and content analysis review. It provides a perspective on investment priorities for climate change-related research, as well as measures that will build synergies between climate actions and other priorities for sustainable development in the region. The paper calls for an expansion in open access to data; increased investment in climate change research, especially in the social sciences; development of local climate change modelling capacities; and support for regional knowledge and scientific exchange on the topic of climate change.