Environment Protection Agency Head: Climate Change Situation in Afghanistan Concerning

KABUL (Afghan Verified) -- Mawlawi Muti al-Haq Khalis, head of Afghanistan's National Environment Protection Agency, described the country's climate change situation as concerning during a two-day consultative meeting to develop the third National Determined Contribution document.

The meeting, presided over by Khalis, included representatives and officials from Emirate departments and relevant institutions. Khalis emphasized the need for coordination among Emirate departments to address climate change challenges and protect the environment.

He distinguished between natural climate change, which occurs over time, and human-induced changes from unbalanced industrial development and irrational use of natural resources. Factors such as overuse of surface and groundwater, deforestation, and irrational hunting have disrupted ecosystems, Khalis said.

Global greenhouse gas emissions have also destroyed natural glaciers in Afghanistan and worldwide, he added. In some areas, even drinking water is purchased or transported for livestock, underscoring the severity of climate impacts.

Khalis identified the lack of advanced water management systems as a major challenge. Traditional irrigation methods prevalent in many areas lead to significant water wastage, while systems like drip irrigation could conserve resources.

Despite Afghanistan's small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, its vulnerability to climate change is several times greater, he noted. The country has acceded to international conventions on climate change and must regularly share related documents and reports.

The meeting aimed to gather technical views and opinions from Emirate departments to strengthen national programs on combating climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable natural resource management.