Afghanistan, among the nations most susceptible to climate change, faces escalating droughts and flash floods that devastate livelihoods and exacerbate hunger.
However, due to the Taliban’s control of the country since 2021, Afghanistan has been omitted from global climate discussions and will not have representation at the upcoming COP28 summit in Dubai.
Here is an overview of Afghanistan’s climate crisis and its broader implications:
How severe is Afghanistan’s climate challenge?
Despite contributing less than 1% of the world’s fossil fuel emissions, Afghanistan grapples with the severe impacts of climate change, experiencing an average annual temperature rise of 1.8 degrees Celsius between 1950 and 2010—twice the global average. Drought affects 25 out of 34 provinces, significantly impacting agriculture, which sustains 80% of the population and contributes over 30% to GDP.
Changing weather patterns and increasing temperatures not only disrupt rainfall but also cause the melting of snowpack and glaciers in Afghanistan’s mountains, crucial for river flows and agricultural irrigation.
The nation has witnessed a 14% loss in glacier area from 1990 to 2015, while widespread deforestation aggravates flooding, contributing to soil erosion.
How does this impact Afghans?
Humanitarian organizations report that climate change intensifies Afghanistan’s ongoing crisis, with 29 million people requiring aid and over 3 million displaced. Droughts and floods destroy crops, land, and infrastructure, fostering pests and diseases, leading to hunger, displacement, and migration.
Climate change also triggers conflicts over water and fertile land, especially in border regions.
What are the wider global risks?
Afghanistan’s climate crisis could potentially drive mass migration to neighboring countries and beyond, impacting water availability and escalating tensions downstream. Sharing river systems with Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan poses risks for regional stability.
How has the Taliban’s control affected climate efforts?
Afghanistan estimated a need for $20.6 billion to address climate issues from 2021 to 2030. However, development aid was frozen after the Taliban takeover in August 2021, suspending significant environmental programs and hindering climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives.
International sanctions, coupled with concerns about human rights violations by the Taliban, limit the country’s access to aid. Moreover, the exodus of climate and environmental experts raises concerns about renewable energy initiatives, potentially leading to increased reliance on polluting coal.
Are the Taliban addressing climate concerns?
Despite facing exclusion from global climate summits, the Taliban emphasize climate change as a non-political global challenge requiring international assistance. They claim implementation of climate initiatives but face challenges in accessing global funds due to financial sanctions.
What is the international community doing?
UN agencies and donors seek ways to aid Afghans in combating climate threats without empowering the Taliban. They consider channeling funds through international bodies to assist in climate resilience, such as providing drought-resistant seeds and aiding communities in building water storage infrastructure.
Efforts are underway to reinstate suspended projects and stalled climate fundings, although complexities arise in transitioning projects from previous administrations to the Taliban-led ministries.