Leave No Mountain Behind
Why, despite the essential role mountains play in enabling countries and regions adapt to climate change, reduce disaster risks and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, are mountain communities often left behind economically and politically? Learn more in this issue brief.
Promoting ambitious climate action for the Hindu Kush Himalaya
(Videos) This focus day on HKH, which was live streamed from the Cryosphere Pavilion at COP26, explored the scaling up of investment in mountain-specific climate priorities and low carbon development, the dissemination of high-impact solutions that can deliver climate action in the HKH region, and shared policy and youth perspectives on climate action. Watch the recordings of each session.
Aga Khan Foundation
Established in 1967, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) brings together human, financial and technical resources to address the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalised communities in the w

The Winter Preparedness and Avalanche Readiness Programme, a comprehensive avalanche preparedness plan in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan
The Winter Preparedness and Avalanche Readiness Programme is a comprehensive avalanche preparedness plan put in place by the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) which includes monitoring, early warning and capacity building. It seeks to reduce avalanche risk in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Aga Khan Agency for Habitat
The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat’s (AKAH) goal is that people live in safe, sustainable, and resilient habitats with the opportunity to thrive, whether in a remote mountain village, a town, or a den
Climate action in the Hindu Kush Himalaya
This event provided a platform for stakeholders from the Hindu Kush Himalaya to discuss how regional collaboration can deliver ambitious climate action in the region.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment
This open access volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.
Engaging the private sector in financing adaptation to climate change
The ACT learning brief presents a framework of five approaches that policymakers, practitioners and donors can use to motivate the private sector to invest in climate change adaptation.
Climate-Resilient Agriculture in South Asia: An analytical framework and insights from practice
The paper explores entry-points for and examples of climate resilient agriculture (CRA) in South Asia, and the current challenges and knowledge gaps affecting it's implementation.
Climate-Resilient Water Management: An operational framework from South Asia
The paper presents a conceptual framework for Climate-Resilient Water Management (CRWM) and provides examples of CRWM interventions developed and deployed by the ACT programme across SE Asia.
Mainstreaming adaptation to climate change within governance systems in South Asia
The paper introduces a general analytical framework for mainstreaming adaptation to climate change within governance systems.
Evaluating Climate Change Action for Sustainable Development
This book documents emerging and innovative evaluation knowledge and practice for climate change and its links to sustainable development.
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, ICIMOD, is a regional intergovernmental knowledge development and learning centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hi

Mapping vulnerability
Translating indicators of vulnerability for specific exposure units/stresses (e.g populations at risk of drought) into vulnerability maps, and then defining hotspots and indicators of...
Mitigation: Afghanistan's greenhouse gas emissions are generally low, with international technical and financial support Afghanistan has conditionally committed to 13.6% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 when compared to the business as usual scenario. Mitigation activities will focus on the energy, natural resources, agriculture, waste, and mining sectors. Specific activities look at renewable energy production, energy efficiency, afforestation and reforestation, irrigation infrastructure, climate smart agriculture, efficient transportation, waste management, mitigation related to coal mining. ' Adaptation: Afghanistan's general adaptation priorities include: enhancing adaptive capacity, resilience, and disaster risk reduction preparedness across its population; integrating climate change into national planning processes; promoting sustainable rural livelihoods; improving the technical capacity of government institutions; adaptive and integrated land and water management; improving resource access for rural communities and farmers; and raising public awareness of climate change and adaptation. Specific policies and strategies to date focus on renewable energy, water management, disaster risk reduction, agriculture and rural development, biodiversity, and forestry. Afghanistan will require external support to meet its adaptation needs. International Climate and Environmental Commitments: The Paris Agreement (Party), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Party), Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Party), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (Party), Convention on Biological Diversity (Party), Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Party), Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Not Party)
Summary
Afghanistan is a land locked country in South and Central Asia, with a diverse semi-arid and arid geography including mountains and flat lands. Afghanistan faces significant socioeconomic development challenges, and is particularly vulnerable to climate change. In Afghanistan, climate change is expected to increase the likelihood of flooding, drought, heat waves, and disasters like glacial lake outflows. These climate change impacts threaten the natural resources much of the population depend on for their livelihoods, as well as social equity, food security, political stability, and public health.
International Commitments and Reporting
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Nationally Determined Contribution Under the Paris Agreement - https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/NDCStaging/pages/Party.aspx?party=AFG
NDC Monitoring and Reporting
World Bank Country Factsheet on Intended NDCs - http://spappssecext.worldbank.org/sites/indc/PDF_Library/AF.pdf
World Bank’s Climate Knowledge Portal - https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/afghanistan
ClimateWatch Profile - https://www.climatewatchdata.org/countries/AFG
NDC Partnership Page - http://ndcpartnership.org/countries-map/country?iso=AFG
SDG Voluntary National Review
2017 Voluntary National Review - https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/afghanistan
National SDG Monitoring and Reporting
Afghanistan Sustainable Development Goals - http://sdgs.gov.af/
World Bank Overview - http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/afghanistan
UNDP's Open SDG Data Hub - http://unstats-undesa.opendata.arcgis.com/
NDCs and SDGs
Mapping of NDC-SDG Connections - https://klimalog.die-gdi.de/ndc-sdg/country/AFG
NDCs, SDGs, and Climate Change
NDC Partnership Dashboard on NDCs and relation to the SDGs and Climate Change Vulnerability - http://ndcpartnership.org/climate-watch/ndcs-sdg
Emissions Data
Afghanistan does not currently have a dynamic online emissions tracking platform, but national emissions reporting can be found within this report - https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/SNC%20Report_Final_20180801%20.pdf
Sendai and Hyogo Frameworks
Sendai Framework Data Readiness Review Report - https://www.preventionweb.net/english/policies/v.php?id=53148&cid=1
National Progress Report on the Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action - https://www.preventionweb.net/english/policies/v.php?id=42575&cid=1
Disaster Management Strategy - https://www.preventionweb.net/english/policies/v.php?id=59668&cid=1
Law on Combating Disasters in the Republic of Afghanistan - https://www.preventionweb.net/english/policies/v.php?id=28051&cid=1
Law on Disaster Response, Management, and Preparedness - http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/law/law-on-disaster-response-management-and-preparedness/
Strategic National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction: Towards Peace and Stable Development - https://www.preventionweb.net/english/policies/v.php?id=60012&cid=1
National Coordination and Reporting
National Appropriate Mitigation Actions
No Action to date - https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/PublicNAMA/SitePages/Country.aspx?CountryId=196
National Action Plans
National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management (NCSA) and National Adaptation Programme of Action for Climate Change (NAPA) - https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/napa/afg01.pdf
National Strategies Related to International Mechanisms
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan - https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/af/af-nbsap-01-en.pdf
National Regulations/Policies
The National Environmental Action Plan - http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/law/the-national-environmental-action-plan-neap/
Environment Law - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC185430
Framework for Adaptation and Consistency of the Afghanistan Sustainable Development Goals - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC184676
Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC184239
National Comprehensive Agriculture Development Priority Program 2016-2021 - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC167994
National Forestry Management Policy - http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/law/national-forestry-management-policy-nfmp/
National Comprehensive Agriculture Development Priority Program 2016-2020 - http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/law/national-comprehensive-agriculture-development-priority-program-2016-2020/
National Renewable Energy Policy - http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/law/national-renewable-energy-policy/
Rangeland Law - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC183712
Food Security Act - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC182400
Land Affairs Management Law - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC184127
Energy Sector Strategy - http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/law/energy-sector-strategy-1387-1391-2007-8-2012-3/
Rural Renewable Energy Policy - http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/law/rural-renewable-energy-policy-rrep/
Renewable Energy Strategy for Afghan Villages 2017-2027 - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC184368
Regulation of Cleaning and Green Spaces in Cities - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC183852
Water Law - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC172372
Wildlife Conservation and Hunting Act - http://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC183604
Reviews of National Legislation and Policy
London School of Economics: National Climate Legislation - http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/country-profiles/afghanistan
Financing
Key Areas of Climate Investment
Financing biodiversity conservation - https://www.thegef.org/project/combating-land-degradation-and-biodiversity-loss-promoting-sustainable-rangeland-management
Financing energy efficiency - https://www.thegef.org/project/investing-energy-efficiency-strengthen-cold-value-chain-small-and-medium-enterprises
Financing community forests and biomass energy - https://www.thegef.org/project/reducing-ghg-emissions-through-community-forests-and-sustainable-biomass-energy-afghanistan
Financing climate resilient energy - https://www.gfdrr.org/en/climate-resilient-energy-system-afghanistan
Financing climate risk and natural hazard information to support community driven development - https://www.gfdrr.org/en/mainstreaming-natural-hazard-and-climate-risk-information-and-community-driven-development
Financing avalanches and floods - https://www.isdb.org/projects/data/uid-pj0032107
Financing land administration systems - https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P164762
Selected Relevant Sources of Climate Related Funding
Climate Funds Update - https://climatefundsupdate.org/data-dashboard/#1541245745457-d3cda887-f010
OECD Climate Change - https://www.oecd.org/env/cc/
OECD Investment for Green Growth - https://www.oecd.org/environment/green.htm
Asian Development Bank Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management - https://www.adb.org/themes/climate-change-disaster-risk-management/main
Multilateral Funders
Afghanistan receives climate funding from the World Bank, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, the Least Developed Countries Fund, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Global Environment Facility, among others.
Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Planning
Vulnerability/Adaptation Capacity Data
Notre Dame's Global Adaptation Initiative Vulnerability/Readiness Climate Change Index - https://gain.nd.edu/our-work/country-index/
Environmental Performance Index - https://epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/
Natural Disaster/Hazards
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery - https://www.gfdrr.org/en/afghanistan
PreventionWeb - https://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/asia/afg
Energy Supply and Demand
Afghanistan Renewable Energy Development Issues and Options - https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/30270
Overview and Prospects for Energy Resources in Afghanistan: Measures for Improvement and Sustainable Development - https://www.jstor.org/stable/24812717?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Land Use
LandLinks Country Profile - https://www.land-links.org/afghanistan
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan: Land Cover Atlas - http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5457e.pdf.
Scenario analysis of land use change in Kabul River Basin: A river basin with rapid socio-economic changes in Afghanistan - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318331657_Scenario_analysis_of_land_use_change_in_Kabul_River_Basin_-_A_river_basin_with_rapid_socio-economic_changes_in_Afghanistan
Economic Development/Quality of Life and Livelihoods
Climate Change in Afghanistan: What does it mean for rural livelihoods and food security? - https://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/Afghanistan/Afg_CC_RuralLivelihoodsFoodSecurity_Nov2016.pdf
Climate change as driver of conflict in Afghanistan and other fragile and conflict affected states - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ca20ba940f0b625df8d85f1/527_Climate_change_as_a_driver_of_conflict_in_Afghanistan_and_other_FCAS.pdf
Summaries of Programming and Priorities
Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment in Afghanistan's Second National Communication - https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/SNC%20Report_Final_20180801%20.pdf
Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action - https://www.preventionweb.net/english/policies/v.php?id=25653&cid=1
Case Studies
weADAPT Case Studies
weADAPT Entries - https://www.weadapt.org/case-studies?keyword=afghanistan
Islamic Development Bank Reports
IsDB Country Page - https://www.isdb.org/afghanistan
Climate, Climate Change, and Environmental Data
Natural Disaster/Hazards Data
ThinkHazard - http://thinkhazard.org/en/report/1-afghanistan
Energy Supply and Demand Data
Renewable Energy Mapping - http://resourceirena.irena.org/gateway/countrySearch/?countryCode=AFG
Land Use Data
FAOStat - http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/
Weather/Meteorological Data
World Meteorological Organization Profile - https://www.wmo.int/cpdb/afghanistan
