Адаптация к климату: опыт ОФ «САМР Алатоо» для казахстанских экологов

Climate Adaptation: Experience of SAMR Alatoo for Kazakhstani Ecologists

Specialists from PF “CAMP Alatoo” shared their experience in implementing an ecosystem approach and specific measures for adapting local communities to climate change with representatives of the EcoCenter NGO from Karaganda, Kazakhstan. The director of the center, Meruert Kurmasheva, and her deputy, Raushan Dauletbaeva, participated in a mini-training session conducted for them by project staff Salamat Dzhumabaeva and Azamat Usupbekov. As the Kazakhstani colleagues explained, they need knowledge about climate change adaptation measures to develop an action plan based on the ecosystem approach for residents of 20 rural districts in the Karkaralinsky district.

PF “CAMP Alatoo” has been working for 5 years within the regional project "Ecosystem Approach for Climate Change Adaptation in High Mountain Regions of Central Asia" (EPAIK), which was also implemented in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The initiative aimed to create a common methodology and incorporate it into national-level programs. This political aspect was successfully implemented in Kazakhstan.

In Kyrgyzstan, according to Salamat Dzhumabaeva, vulnerability assessments of high-mountain ecosystems, glacier conditions, alternative livelihoods, conducted at the beginning of the project, determined the concept of climate change adaptation with an ecosystem approach. Its main elements included (1) assisting communities in adaptation by reducing the risk to current and projected climate fluctuations; (2) enhancing resilience to changes through biodiversity and ecosystem services, which in turn have also adapted to changes; (3) achieving the effectiveness of ecosystem adaptation in combination with other innovative and economically viable approaches.

The project was most active in cooperation with government bodies, public institutions, and communities in the Naryn and Chui regions. "It was difficult to convince people that preparing for climate change is necessary. But our research showed that the process of change is in full swing, which was also a good result," said Salamat Dzhumabaeva.

Informational seminars were held for the population, as a result of which residents proposed 80 adaptation measures. The project supported the implementation of 12 activities, including riverbank reinforcement, canal and bridge construction, installation of weather stations in schools, and the introduction of energy-efficient technologies. Detailed information about these facilities was provided to the guests, and they were recommended to use environmentally friendly materials in similar infrastructure, excluding metal, plastic, etc. Representatives of the EcoCenter received detailed information about the process of searching for alternative sources for local residents, most of whom are oriented towards animal husbandry. Value-added chains for potatoes, sea buckthorn were studied, and demonstration plots for growing raspberries and currants were created. Speaking about cooperation with public organizations, PF “CAMP Alatoo”staff cited an example of working with the association of water users in the Bash-Kayyndy ayyly aymak of the Naryn region. Association members underwent special training in water resources management and received the necessary equipment for water distribution.

In the format of "question-answer," topics such as financing adaptation measures, involvement and support of local authorities, and increasing public awareness of the importance of climate change preparedness were addressed.

As a result of the training, EcoCenter employees gained access to materials and documents developed during the project - a program for the socio-economic development of project territories, a local action plan for climate change adaptation.