With the support of the UNDP program "Armenia’s Climate Outlook: From Promise to Action", EcoLur Informational NGO has developed "Implementation of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Policies at the Local Level" draft guide. The document was discussed on February 13 at the EcoLur Press Club with the participation of specialists from relevant ministries and independent experts.
EcoLur President Inga Zarafyan noted that EcoLur has been working for years in various communities, striving to serve as a bridge for them. "The guide aims to assist local self-government bodies in integrating state climate change adaptation and mitigation policies at the local level. It will also help in organizing the process of planning and implementing climate adaptation and mitigation measures within the community's five-year development plans, annual work plans, and municipal budgets," Inga Zarafyan noted.
UNDP consultant Diana Harutyunyan emphasized that climate change adaptation and mitigation policies in communities are crucial for Armenia as a party to the Paris Agreement. "The key point is that there is a budget from which communities can benefit in two ways. The first is the subsidy, which is a large budget, and the second is funds allocated to affected communities. It is essential to incorporate the climate aspect into these allocations," Diana Harutyunyan noted.
Ashot Giloyan, Head of the Local Self-Government Policy Department of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, highlighted the need to strengthen the capacities of communities and provide them with guiding tools.
The meeting participants discussed the draft guide and presented their suggestions. The guide is currently in the revision stage.
February 17, 2025 at 16:28