Interdepartmental consultations on climate subsidies were held on the 17th of April in the capital with the participation of representatives of government agencies, public associations and the private sector.
The mechanisms for implementing investment strategies for the implementation of agricultural innovations and modern environmentally friendly technologies in the process of adapting the functioning of the agro-industry to the consequences of climate change while ensuring compliance with national legislation and priorities were discussed.
The purpose of such actions is to support domestic agricultural production in a state of sustainable growth. The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) within the framework of the project to promote readiness and prepare a cooperation platform with the Green Climate Fund, its name is «Enhancing the Potential of Turkmenistan to Access Climate Financing through Capacity Building and Strategic Frameworks».
The project was launched this year and is aimed at strengthening the country's ability to request, receive, distribute and, if necessary, increase climate financing to improve the sustainability of the country's agricultural sector, forestry, and land use, which is related to the fulfillment of the state's international obligations.
The project supports Turkmenistan's adaptation efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as land degradation and salinisation, and is designed to promote water-saving practices.
The speakers gave overview presentations on Turkmenistan's activities with the participation of international organisations in the field of adapting the economy to the transformation of the climate situation.
During the work in the groups, a priority list of climate-resistant technologies, the need for their financial support, the principles of operation of sources, including the Green Climate Fund, with which Turkmenistan has been increasing cooperation in recent years, ways to integrate innovations into state agricultural policy and a mechanism for identifying them as climate measures were identified. At the same time, the accounting of the money allocated for them is also classified as climate financing. The measures, the funds spent and the results obtained - reducing greenhouse gas emissions or creating climate-resistant industries, in turn, will «settle» in climate reporting, the country's achievements on the climate track - National Reports and messages sent to the secretariats of global agreements.
The principle of such an orientation of the economy to climate realities is appropriately reflected in state policy, development strategies, as environmental plans of enterprises - in national accounts of accounting. Allocating money for the climate is becoming profitable, because the costs are recouped due to the increased demand for environmentally friendly products.
Also during the meeting, issues of strengthening partnerships between government agencies, development organisations, private investors, and the need for a comprehensive approach were touched upon. It was noted that adaptation is an ambiguous, lengthy process, woven from many components, factors, and interests of the parties, where financing is part of the overall process of adapting the economy to changing natural and weather conditions.
