Climate change and sustainable water management in central Asia

This working paper explores adaptation options in Central Asia. It describes the results of research conducted by a technical assistance in Central Asia. The research combined field observations with satellite-based data and created models to demonstrate the impacts of climate change on the hydrology of the Aral Sea Basin. The adaptation options explored can be summarised in three broad categories: 1) Expanding the supply of water available in the future, 2) Increasing the productivity of water and 3) Reducing future demand for water.

The paper argues that climate change will put additional challenges on decision makers to manage water resources in a beneficial way both to the environment and human life and that solutions are possible when decision makers act adequately, resources are available and actions are taken in common understanding of all countries.