Afghanistan Climate Change Documents

Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency was established in 2005. In the same year, President Hamid Karzai drafted and signed Afghanistan’s first Environmental Law. It then went through amendments by the National Assembly, and the final version was finally promulgated in early 2007.

The law defines the agency’s function as well as its powers. NEPA serves as Afghanistan’s environmental policy-making and regulatory institution. It’s role is to regulate, coordinate, monitor and enforce environmental laws.

The agency is expected to play a major role in environmental protection, as well as to be the central point in dealing with the management of Afghanistan’s environment so that it benefits all the citizens of Afghanistan.

Presently, global climate change and the associated phenomenon of global warming represent significant environmental challenges on a global scale, with discernible ramifications for Afghanistan.

The rising temperatures, thawing of natural glaciers, global sea levels rise, recurrent droughts, occurrences of natural calamities, and heightened prevalence of human and animal disease are indicative of these consequences.

Despite Afghanistan’s minimal contribution of 0.08% to the global greenhouse gas emissions, in comparison to other nations, it remains one of the most susceptible countries to the deleterious impacts of climate change, being ranked sixth in terms of vulnerability.

The susceptibility of Afghanistan to the effects of climate change is poised to worsen the economic and social circumstances of its populace. The occurrence of severe floods and unseasonal rains in Afghanistan has led to significant financial and human tolls. This state of affairs serves as a testament to the potential negative repercussions of the climate crisis, potentially giving rise to a humanitarian emergency.

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