TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 24. The World Bank (WB) believes that integrated landscape management approaches and climate-smart technologies in areas with the highest adaptation potential are expected to boost Uzbekistan’s crop values by about $4.6 billion and production on natural pastures by $100 million over 10 years, Trend reports.
As per the WB’s Country Climate and Development Report, Uzbekistan can save some 1.8 billion cubic meters of water via integrated landscape management and adaptation actions, which will reverse trends in land degradation, preserve carbon stock above and below the ground, control erosion better, enhance water regulation, and reduce landslide risk.
“Projections show greatly declining water availability by 2050, with water availability in the main rivers down by up to 15 percent by 2050. Meanwhile, water demand from competing uses, both within and outside of Uzbekistan, will increase with economic development, adding further stress to water resources,” the WB analysts state.
According to the Bank’s analysis, without proper action, these trends would lead to water shortages of 15 billion cubic meters by 2050.
“Modernizing infrastructure and adopting a service-oriented approach to water management will be key. Investment costs for modernizing Uzbekistan’s irrigation and drainage system are estimated at $6 billion from 2023 through 2030. Investments are also needed to increase on-farm water-use efficiency, crucial for climate adaptation,” the report notes.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and the World Bank have signed an agreement on the provision of financing in the amount of $46.2 million to reform the country’s energy sector.
The funds are said to be used to implement the project Innovative Carbon Financing for the Transformation of the Energy Sector of Uzbekistan (iCraft), aimed at producing clean energy, improving energy efficiency, and reforming energy subsidies.
Being the first project to support reforms in the country’s energy sector, it will help Uzbekistan fulfill its international obligations in the field of climate change and effectively use energy resources.