Kyrgyzstan emits just 0.03% of greenhouse gases, yet remains one of the main victims of climate change

Kyrgyzstan, which accounts for just 0.03% of global greenhouse gas emissions, continues to suffer disproportionately high losses due to climate change. This was stated in a message from the Prime Minister, Adylbek Kasymaliev, to mark World Environment Day and the professional holiday for environmental sector workers.

The Prime Minister recalled the words of President Sadyr Zhaparov, spoken at the regional environmental summit in Astana, that Kyrgyzstan’s contribution to global emissions remains minimal, yet the republic is feeling the consequences of the climate crisis particularly acutely.

According to him, global environmental changes are already having a serious impact on the country. Over the past decades, the area of glaciers in Kyrgyzstan has shrunk by 16%, and the water level of Lake Issyk-Kul has dropped by almost 14 metres.

Against this backdrop, the authorities are strengthening climate policy and environmental regulation. New climate governance mechanisms are being introduced in the country, and projects are being implemented in collaboration with international partners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, develop green technologies and enhance resilience to climate risks.

Particular attention is being paid to the international agenda. At Kyrgyzstan’s initiative, the United Nations has declared 2023–2027 the Decade of Action for Mountain Regions. This programme aims to draw the international community’s attention to the challenges faced by mountain states, which are among the first to face the consequences of global warming.

Kasymaliev also highlighted a number of environmental projects being implemented within the country. These include the national ‘Zhasyl Muras’ campaign, under which millions of trees are planted annually, the conversion of Bishkek’s public transport to gas and electricity, measures to reduce the use of low-quality coal, the cleaning of Lake Issyk-Kul of rubbish and fishing nets, as well as the launch of a modern waste-to-energy plant.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the preservation of glaciers, forests, pastures, water resources and biodiversity remains a shared task for the state, business and society.

“Nature conservation and ensuring climate resilience are a shared responsibility not only of state bodies, but of society as a whole,” the message reads.