Central Asia

Central Asia are characterized by vast dry steppe, much of which function as the Eurasian breadbasket. At the same time, these lands have seen high rates of abandonment after the collapse of the Soviet Union with severe impacts on land-use, agricultural production, water availability and carbon storage. Strengthening capacities and implementing risk transfer mechanisms can address these challenges and contribute to a more climate-resilient and sustainable development.

Our Work in the Region

Land-use change and climate change in the dry steppe of Russia and neighboring countries raise concerns about increasing erosion in a region critical for food production. At the same time, this fragile ecosystem has a significant potential for carbon storage in soil and vegetation, making steppe vital for climate change mitigation. Sustainable land management and erosion control can not only enhance the economic value of the steppe, but also support climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.


Selected Projects

  • CLIMPACT Climate Information for Management, Peace-building, Adaptation, and Coordination in Central Asia; funded by GIZ; 2025-2026; contact: I. Didovets
  • AQUASIA Advancing Hydrological Modeling for Improved Water Availability Forecasts in Central Asia; funded by GIZ; 2023-2025; contact: I. Didovets
  • GVCA Green Vision Central Asia: bridging science and capacity building for climate security; funded by Auswärtiges Amt; 01.07.2020-30.06.2024; contact: I. Didovets
  • CWEH Usbekistan Climate change, renewable energy potential and population health in Uzbekistan; funded by BMBF; 2022-2024; contact: I. Didovets
  • CLIMASTEPPE the potentials of the Russian steppes to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions; funded by BMBF; 2018-2021; contact: C. Müller, S. Rolinski

Involved working groups

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