Socio-Economic Impacts of

Climate Change in

Afghanistan

Background

Support NAPA Process (UNEP/NEPA)

Review climate projections

Temperature, Precipitation to 2100

Assessment of ANDS and Sector Strategies

Agriculture, Social Protection, Energy & Water

Consultation with key stakeholders

Donors, Ministries, NGOs,

Field Visits

Kabul, Bamyan, Balkh, Jowzjan

Challenges

Climate projection models require refinement due to the lack

of reliable historic meteorological records.

Complex topography means variations in climate response,

particularly precipitation, are likely to be large.

Sporadic & poor quality socio-economic data make modelling

of costs and benefits of adaptation difficult

Poor national security also restricts the ability to monitor

impacts and mainstream effective responses.

Historic Climate Trends

Arid and semi-arid continental climate with cold winters

and hot summers, with drought ongoing since 1990s

Mean annual temperature has increased by 0.6°C since

1960, at an average rate of around 0.13°C Warming trends

are most pronounced in Autumn (SON).

Mean rainfall over Afghanistan has decreased slightly (at

an average rate of 0.5mm per month (or 2 percent per

decade) since 1960, due to lower spring rainfall.

Projected Significant warming across all regions of Afghanistan

Average increases in temperature of between 2C and 6.2C by 2100

Warming is most rapid in spring/summer with this trend being

marked in the north and the central plains of Afghanistan.

Substantial increases in the frequency of days and nights that are

considered ‘hot’ in current climate, especially during summer months.

Up to 2030s, the amount of warming is not sensitive to global

emission scenarios. By 2060, impacts are sensitive to global emissions

projections.

Projections - Temperature

Projections - Temperature

Projections - Rainfall

In the short term, average rainfall is projected to show to be

fairly flat with potential for small increase, 10-20mm.

Long term changes 2090s show conditions are generally

drier (-40 mm high, -20 mm medium, -10 mm low)

Much of the drying is due to decreases in spring rainfall

(MAM).

Winters are expected to be significantly drier in the South.

Projections - Rainfall

Climatic Hazards

Exacerbation of existing hazards

Increased heat stress

Drought/changes in precipitation

Floods due to rapid snow melt

Lower river flow rates

Climatic Hazards

Sectoral Impacts - Agriculture

Increased soil evaporation, reduced river flow from earlier snow melt, and

less frequent rain during peak cultivation seasons

Increased crop failure levels due to water shortages, with increase in

amount of potentially productive land left uncultivated.

Narrower choice of crop options with water-intensive varieties less

attractive compared to drought hardy varieties, including poppy.

Large parts of the agricultural economy will become marginal without

significant expansion of irrigation and water management.

The existing irrigation system is operating at a low efficiency rate of about

25 percent, with significant potential for improvement.

Sectoral Impacts – Water

Cumulative effects of more frequent and intense droughts on reservoirs

and groundwater could threaten the water supply of entire communities

in the most arid regions of Afghanistan,

Rises in winter and spring temperatures will lead to more rapid and

earlier snow melt, creating risk of flash flooding exacerbated by hardened

drought effected soils.

The lack of water availability will increase pressure on Afghanistan and

surrounding states to claim the greatest possible share of regional water

sources in the longer term with potential likelihood for political dispute.

Sectoral Impacts – Livelihoods

The poor are most vulnerable to climate change impacts, with food security

deteriorating and impacts felt most by those in the agricultural economy.

Distributional effects are more likely to fall upon women and children, and upon

those involved in subsistence agriculture or pastoralism.

A large proportion of the Afghan population live just above the poverty line -

climatic shocks have the potential to tip a large %of population into poverty.

Impacts on human health, such as increased prevalence of disease affect the

amount of labour available for agriculture and non-farm rural activities.

The effects of environmental degradation reduce the availability of animal feed,

and the funds available for livestock husbandry.

Sectoral Impacts - Energy

Mitigation

GHG emissions in absolute and per capita terms are extremely low (0.5 tons

Co2e pc). Electricity sourced from indigenous/imported hydro.

Low carbon growth is sensible under development/population growth

scenarios but should not preclude indigenous fossil fuel resources.

Developmental impact should take precedence over emissions considerations

in order to build resilience and adaptive capacity.

The limited reach of regional grids mean that off grid renewable technologies,

(small hydro, solar PV, solar thermal and wind) are important.

Adaptation

Impacts are most likely to be felt in hydro-electricity production, with higher

winter (rapid snow melt)and lower summer flow rates (drought, irrigation)

Large thermal power plant and transmission infrastructure are also

susceptible to heat stress and flooding

Going Forward Improve modelling work and climatic data collection in country, using

existing available data and expanded climate station network

Improve 'climate awareness and resilience' of development strategies and

programmes at Ministry and Donor level, through risk screening and

mainstreaming

Ensure better integration of Agriculture and Water management strategies

and pooling of resources

Work towards costed adaptation investment plans to access climate

adaptation funding mechanisms currently under development (eg UNDP)

Government experts should continue to engage with wider regional

planning and development bodies to share best practice from central and

south Asia