A Green Horizon for Arid Lands: Implementing Climate Adaptation Mechanisms in Practice
The climate agenda in Central Asia is increasingly shifting from a discussion of challenges toward the pursuit of practical solutions. For Turkmenistan—a nation characterized by unique arid-zone ecosystems—climate adaptation and the adoption of advanced green technologies have become a vital focus for long-term development.
A specialized training seminar, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with national partners, served as a key platform for discussing concrete steps in this direction. Held in Ashgabat from October 19 to 22, 2026, the event brought together experts, government representatives, and agricultural specialists to share expertise on the sustainable management of land and water resources and the mobilization of climate-related investments.
As emphasized by Jahan Orazdurdyyeva, National Coordinator for FAO programs in Turkmenistan, aligning national environmental and economic priorities with international expertise enables the development of truly effective, practice-oriented mechanisms for climate change adaptation.
Combining national climate priorities with FAO’s international experience in agroforestry and the conservation of soil organic carbon (SOC) lays the foundation for more sustainable agricultural development and the rational use of natural resources.
The National Investment Plan for Turkmenistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—presented during FAO expert consultations—establishes a comprehensive roadmap for modernizing key economic sectors, with each area playing a complementary role:
Mitigation: Priority is given to the energy sector and high-tech solutions for reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas industry. Upgrading infrastructure and implementing gas-capture technologies deliver a significant and quantifiable environmental impact.
Adaptation: Key efforts focus on the prudent management of water resources, the adoption of water-saving technologies in agriculture, the restoration of degraded land, and enhancing the resilience of infrastructure.
Transparency and Digitalization Systems (MRV – Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification): Establishing an institutional foundation—including the implementation of digital tracking platforms and a national "green" taxonomy—is essential for the accurate accounting of environmental outcomes.
In the implementation of these initiatives, a key role is played by public investment and the national budget, complemented by mechanisms for international technology transfer, private-sector initiatives, and the potential of carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change. This approach makes it possible to align national priorities with international climate mechanisms and attract investment for the adoption of environmentally efficient technologies.
During the seminar, particular attention was given to the best international practices of the FAO—specifically its Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM) programs—regarding the development of agroforestry in arid regions. These initiatives demonstrate that climate projects are most effective when they provide direct, practical benefits to local farmers and agricultural enterprises.
Transitioning from traditional monocultures to multi-layered agroecological systems—which combine fruit or industrial trees with staple agricultural crops—enables the following:
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Create a protective microclimate. Trees reduce wind speed, protect the soil from erosion, and decrease moisture evaporation from fields.
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Diversify production. Farms can obtain additional yields (such as fruit, nuts, or timber), which enhances their resilience to droughts and climatic fluctuations.
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Utilize carbon credit mechanisms. With the appropriate methodologies, monitoring, and verification systems in place, the sequestration of carbon in woody biomass and soil can serve as a basis for participating in carbon projects and securing additional climate-related financing.
Another key topic of discussion was the practical application of developments from the FAO’s Global Soil Partnership. Soil serves as the largest reservoir of organic carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. In arid climates, preserving and increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks becomes a critical aspect of sustainable land management, helping to maintain fertility, improve soil structure, and enhance resilience to climate-related stressors.
Implementing the principles of Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the agricultural sector through the following practices:
• Organic enrichment. The application of composts and organic amendments, along with mulching, stimulates microbiological activity and helps retain moisture within the root zone.
• Optimization of crop rotations. Incorporating deep-rooted perennial forage grasses and legumes (green manure crops) into crop rotations facilitates long-term carbon sequestration in deeper soil horizons.
• Management of inorganic soil carbon. In arid soils, soil carbonates play a critical role. Sound irrigation management and the prevention of secondary salinization are essential for preserving the structure, chemical composition, and fertility of arid soils. Furthermore, assessing changes in inorganic carbon stocks requires dedicated scientific monitoring.
The application of internationally recognized FAO assessment methodologies and protocols (such as GSOC-MRV) enables the country to scientifically verify environmental outcomes and substantiate Turkmenistan’s contribution to the global climate agenda.
The seminar underscored the importance of an ongoing expert dialogue between Turkmenistan’s government institutions and international organizations, such as the FAO. Collaborative efforts to foster green investments, develop agroforestry systems, and protect soil resources open new horizons for environmental security and the region’s sustainable economic prosperity.
