The first information campaign on the CS-FOR Carbon Sequestration Project was held
Zhalal-Abad region: Today in Kyrgyzstan, the most effective way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is to develop forests and pastures. Based on this message, the Working Group under the Project “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investments in Forests and Rangelands in the Kyrgyz Republic” financed by the Green Climate Fund, where ARIS is an operating partner, held a meeting with residents and activists of Ak-Tala, Suzak, Toguz-Toro and Uzgen Districts (Jalal-Abad, Naryn and Osh regions) during the first half of December 2023.
These areas are located in climate-sensitive zones and are exposed to climate risks, that’s why they were selected as targets for the Project. These areas have experienced increases in average annual temperatures by 1.5°C or more over the past 27 years.
During the meeting, participants were detailed informed about the Project, and also they participated in training on rational natural resources using and management, establishing a new forest ecosystem, achieving a neutral balance in pasture degradation, development of livestock breeding, as well as solving social, economic and environmental problems of the population through attracting green investments.
Kyrgyzstan joined to the Paris Agreement
“In accordance with its commitments, Kyrgyzstan should not allow the atmospheric temperature to rise by 1.5° C. But every year our country emits 15 million tons of carbon dioxide. Currently, forests can only absorb 11 million tons. Therefore, we need to establish conditions for sequestration of extra 4 million carbon dioxide in the coming years,” - emphasized Mr. Bakytbek Yrsaliev, Deputy Director of the Forest Service.
Human economic activity is the main cause of climate change.
“Greenhouse gases from using coal, oil and gas to heat households warm the earth, trap heat from the sun and raise air temperatures. Over the past 40 years, the average annual air temperature in Kyrgyzstan has increased by 0.8° C. The number of natural disasters caused by climate change is also increased. Over the past 10 years, 2 097 emergencies have occurred, which is by 1.5 times more than in the previous 15 years,” said Venera Surappaeva, the Project Climate Change and Ecosystems Expert.
8 years for project implementation and 12 for capitalization
The Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investments in Forests and Rangelands in the Kyrgyz Republic Project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to decrease climate risks.
“Under the Project, activities will continue until 2030 and will be carried out in 3 areas. These are: strengthening evidence-based natural resource management, attracting green investments for the rehabilitation of forests and pastures, as well as developing climate-sensitive value chains,” said Mrs. Gulmira Sovetbekovna Urmanbetova, FAO CS-FOR National Project Coordinator.
An effective way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is development of forests and pastures.
“As part of the Project implementation, forest lands will be created and restored on an area of 6 thousand hectares. For this purpose, seedlings of Tien Shan pine, walnut, poplar and other endemic trees will be planted and sown on an area of 3,500 hectares in forestry and within aiyl okmotu lands in four target districts. On an area of 2,500 hectares, activities will be carried out to support establishing the natural forests,” said Mr. Kanatbek Zhantaev, Project Expert on Forestry.
In addition, residents of the pilot areas will be provided with concessional loans; seminars and trainings on preparation of business plans to carry out green projects will be organized. This component will be implemented by project partners - ARIS and RKDF.
“ARIS is the Project operational partner under the sustainable pasture management component. We will attract investment in pastures by conducting special training for pasture management and pasture users. In addition, we will assist in establishing the value chains. For this purpose, we will train Project beneficiaries to develop the business plan, assist them go through all the stages, prepare and transfer it to the RKDF. There they will be able to get the loan,” added Mr. Mirbek Dosuev, VIP-3 Project Coordinator under the ARIS organization.
The Project is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Forest Service under the Water resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS) and the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund.
