United Nations Development Programme
PROJECT LESSONS-LEARNED REPORT
Project Title:
Climate Risk Management in Turkmenistan
Country:
Turkmenistan
Related CPAP
Outcome
By 2015, the system of environmentally sustainable economic management expands
people’s opportunities to participate in social and economic development, especially in
rural areas
Project Description and Key Lessons-Learned
Brief description of
context
Turkmenistan is exposed to both short- and long-term climatic risks. These include
sandstorms, mudflows, landslides, floods, drought, desertification and sea level rise.
Many of these risks result from natural climatic variability, but modelling indicates that
such events are likely to become more severe and frequent due to man-made climate
change. These risks have negative impacts across a range of economic sectors,
particularly on the agriculture sector, and can impact the livelihoods of vulnerable
populations in affected regions, and degrade natural resources and biodiversity.
Current climate risks and potential future changes in their severity and frequency are not
clearly reflected in Turkmenistan’s institutional and legislative frameworks. From a
legislative perspective, climate change is not mentioned in any of the main legal
frameworks for key sectors (agriculture, water, energy, nature protection, disaster risk).
Little institutional focus is currently given to identifying and reducing vulnerability to these
impacts. In the Turkmenistan UNFCCC Second National Communication, there is only
limited information relating to the geographical distribution and severity of such risks.
Institutional responsibilities for short term weather forecasting and long term climate
modelling/impacts are split between two bodies – Turkmenhydromet and Ministry of
Nature Protection, with limited levels of cooperation.
Brief description of
project
The project aims to enhance the capacity of Turkmenistan to mitigate climate risks by
strengthening the institutional, legal and technical capacities of key institutions, with a
primary focus on Turkmenhydromet. It will work through Implementing Partner to achieve
a better understanding and awareness of climatic risks among key government
institutions (MoA, MoWE and CoES). A focus will be given to improving the provision of
CRM information to vulnerable livestock and agricultural communities, with pilot
assessments undertaken in 3 typical climatic zones (mountain, desert and irrigated
oasis). Potential financing structures for the provision of climate risk information will be
reviewed. Long range climate modelling capacity will be developed, and linkages
between Turkmenhydromet and Ministry of Nature Protection/ UNFCCC Focal Point
strengthened. Support will be provided to improving national level communication of
climate risks through the media. A national CRM network will be established, a climate
risk profile developed, and best practice materials disseminated at local and national
levels.
Key project
successes
The main achievements of CRM project in Turkmenistan can be summarised as follows:
AR 1: Improved enabling environment for climate risk management at
systemic, institutional and individual levels
 Stakeholders analysis and capacity assessment at the national level;
- development of a Capacity Assessment Scorecard (CAS)
Lessons Learned Report
- review of the national legal framework: recommendations for optimization of
mandates of key agencies, guidelines for integrating climate change into
- development plans, development of a road map with CRM measures for priority
sectors review of water sector in Turkmenistan
- design and implementation of a training programme to enhance national capacity
and inter-agency coordination: national stakeholder consultations, expert meetings,
national and regional events to bring together representatives from various
government agencies with expertise, knowledge and experience in order to address
CRM issues
- website/Internet portal development for Turkmenhydromet: www.meteo.gov.tm
AR 2: Effective use of climate risk information demonstrated in rural communities with
typical climatic zones
 Climate risk and vulnerability assessment at local community level and participatory
mapping exercise in 3 project regions: Nohur, Karakum and Sakarchage
- application of a climate risk assessment methodology
- analysis and assessment of natural disasters and the vulnerability of local
communities, climatic factors impact
- practical recommendations for improving the capacity of local communities on
adaptation and climate risk reduction
- capacity building activities with a focus on water resources management, soil fertility
evaluation and fertilizer management, introduction of resource-saving technologies;
horticulture development and greenhouse management
- adaptation measures aimed at reducing the vulnerability of rural communities: laser
levelling of irrigated land with a total area of 37 hectares (demonstration plot - 15
ha), soil testing and nutrient management with application of soil lab, construction of
5 water regulating facilities to regulate the water consumption and water level;
construction of water reservoir with the capacity of 20 m 3, establishment of a nursery
and fencing the area of 2 rural schools; installation of 2 Israeli prefabricated metal
frame greenhouses (100 m3) with mesh cover and gravity drip irrigation system
AR3: Climate risk management knowledge, lessons-learned and best practices
disseminated
 Establishment of a National Climate Network
- technical experts/specialists: climatologists, agronomists, hydrologists, agrometeorologists, economists, ecologists, adaptation and climate-related disaster
reduction experts
 Development of a National Climate Risk Profile
- technical inputs and support of International consultant, Scientific Research
Hydrometeorological Institute of Uzhydromet and UNFCCC Focal Point
 Sharing knowledge and expertise through workshops, conferences, south-south
exchanges and field visits
- involvement of key stakeholders, project beneficiaries, local experts and Adaptation
Fund Project team in CRM activities
- strengthening South-South cooperation within the framework of
the Central Asian Multi-Country Programme on Climate Risk Management (CACRM): introduction of a new technology of laser land levelling
 Information products
- press releases, booklets, manuals, best practices and infographics
Key factors to implement the aforesaid activities were close coordination with project
stakeholders and beneficiaries, and strong support from UNDP CO and Regional Office.
Project
shortcomings and
solutions
In 2013 the project carried out the assignment on climate risk and vulnerability
assessment at local community level and participatory mapping exercise in selected
areas. A group of national experts conducted the survey in Nohur, Bokurdak and
Sakarchage regions. Difficulties were encountered during the relevant and accurate data
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Lessons Learned Report
collection period. Key challenges included:
o
o
the limited access to information/basic statistical data* on 3 project regions;
the lack of cooperation and technical assistance from Turkmenhydromet/
key supplier of climatic data in terms of hydrometeorological data provision;
According to the committee regulation, Turkmenhydromet provides information/data on a
contract basis. It offers list prices on hydrometeorological service based on the scope of
work.
In this case, the engagement of the UNDP Regional Office in critical phase of activity
implementation has helped the project in collecting and systematizing relevant
information/data from external sources (Roshydromet, WMO).
Also, the initial stakeholder consultations and expert meetings which focused on longand short-term impacts of climate change have led to the development of climate risk
assessment methodology in Turkmenistan and National climate risk profile. The
participation of government institutions in development of adequate climate risk
management measures for Turkmenistan has facilitated the use of project outcomes at
policy level and helped institutions to strengthen targeted capacity building actions.
*Frequency and severity of hazards in the last 20 years, types of the hydrometerological
hazards, disaster impacts in the last 20-30 years, a brief description of studied area, etc.
Lessons learned
 Respond to demand and need at local and national levels, ensure national
ownership.
 Facilitate communication and cooperation among key stakeholders, and enhance
adaptive capacity through technical and institutional capacity building. The existence
of strong institutional capacity presents a good opportunity to maintain the continuity
of project initiatives.
 Identify key gaps and needs in key institutional and technical capacities to integrate
climate change into medium- to long-term planning processes.
 Increase local community knowledge and awareness of the importance of riskreduction measures; enhance participation of targeted communities and local
authorities in planning and practical adaptation actions and measures.
 Promote the scaling-up of proven technologies. Exchange of technical expertise,
technology transfer, training and demonstration work through a strengthened SouthSouth cooperation and partnership.
Develop and disseminate guidelines, methodologies and practical tools for collection,
processing and analysis of climate change-related data and information.
Follow-up Actions
Community commitment and close cooperation with the Adaptation Fund Project will
enable to sustain joint and supplementary CRM measures by implementing best
experiences on a large-scale and facilitating adaptation practices across the pilot
regions.
Technical knowledge and practical experience on horticulture development, laser
levelling of irrigated land, drip irrigation, greenhouse management and soil testing will be
shared, replicated and scaled up.
Project Information
Award ID:
00059476
CO Focal Points:
Rovshen Nurmuhamedov, Programme Specialist on Environment, Energy & Disaster
Risk Reduction
email: rovshen.nurmuhamedov@undp.org
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Lessons Learned Report
Partners:
National Committee for Hydrometeorology under the Cabinet of Ministers
of Turkmenistan; Ministry of Nature Protection; Ministry of Agriculture;
Ministry of Water Resources; Chief Department for Civil Defence and Rescue Works;
Adaptation Fund Project.
Project resources:
http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/operations/projects/environment_
and_energy/climate-risk-management-in-turkmenistan.html
Report prepared by:
Mahrijemal Hudayberdiyeva, Project Manager
Date:
May 30, 2015
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