Mongolia
Mongolia is a predominantly agricultural country with half of the population living in rural areas maintaining their traditional extensive livestock lifestyle. The high dependency of rural communities on their natural environment makes them especially vulnerable to extreme weather events and changes in their natural environment caused by global warming.
The NCAP project in Mongolia therefore focused on various aspects of the natural environment of rural households and how they might be impacted by climate change. Based on these assessments the project also proposed some possible adaptation for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.
The specific objectives of the project were formulated as follows:
1. Assessment of climate change impacts on natural pastureland and evaluation of adaptation measures
2. Vulnerability and adaptation analyses of water resources in rural areas of Mongolia
3. Vulnerability of rural people to extreme climate events, with a focus on droughts and dzud
4. Comprehensive analysis of climate change impacts on food security and sustainable livelihood of rural people
In the course of the project, the project team started to take initiatives to influence policy-making processes in Mongolia in order to ensure that climate change was taken into consideration. Most notably, the project team has participated actively in the formulation of a “Millennium Development Goals-based Comprehensive National Development Strategy” and has been able to ensure that a separate chapter has been dedicated to climate change adaptation. In addition, the project team also drafted a parliamentarian resolution for the establishment of a permanent sub-committee on climate change adaptation.
The project team has also made extensive use of media to raise awareness about climate change and draw attention to the project results. In total, 14 articles were published in newspapers and magazines in Mongolia and two documentaries were produced which were broadcasted by two television channels.
Outputs:
During the course of the project the following outputs have been developed:
Report on the assessment of climate change on pastureland in Mongolia
Report on the vulnerability of water resources in rural areas in Mongolia
Report on the vulnerability of rural people to extreme climate events
Report on the impacts of climate change on food security and rural livelihoods in Mongolia
Contact Details:
Mr. Banzragch Bayasgalan
Director
Department for Sustainable Development and Environment
Ministry for Nature and Environment
Government Building 3, Baga - Toiruu 44
Ulaan Baatar 11
Phone: +967 312428
Email: bayasaa35@hotmail.com