On June 27, 2025, a regional consultation on community needs for the implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies was held at the COAF SMART Center in Debet, Lori Region. The event was attended by members of the National Assembly, representatives of Pambak’s local government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), non-governmental organizations, experts, and youth representatives.
The consultation was conducted within the framework of the UNDP “Fostering Responsive, Effective, Transparent, and Inclusive National Assembly of Armenia” (FORSETI) project. The project is implemented with the financial support of the Governments of Sweden and Canada, in cooperation with the National Assembly of Armenia.
Victoria Burnazyan, Deputy President of EcoLur Information NGO, presented the challenges and opportunities related to the localization of climate adaptation and mitigation policies in Lori Region, particularly in Pambak community, within the context of Armenia’s national climate commitments and agenda. She also addressed Armenia’s climate legislation, the national targets under the Paris Agreement, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) adopted by the Government of Armenia. She emphasized the essential role of communities in localizing climate policies.
Victoria Burnazyan’s presentation was based on thestudy conducted by EcoLur, which analyzed national and international climate legislation and programs, reviewed Pambak’s subvention and development programs, and assessed the resources and capacities of the community. Community-level interviews and consultations were also taken into account.
Victoria Burnazyan emphasized that while the National Adaptation Plan prioritizes the development and implementation of local adaptation plans, Lori Region currently lacks such a plan.
The Pambak community is highly vulnerable to various climate-related risks, including:
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Floods
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Droughts
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Hailstorms
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Torrential rainfall and strong winds
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Mudflows
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Soil erosion and degradation
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Forest fires
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Drying of natural springs
The impacts of climate change are affecting agriculture:
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Crop yields are decreasing
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Forage areas are shrinking
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Livestock farming and beekeeping are under pressure
Last year, many residents of Lori were affected by flooding caused by the overflow of the Debed River. This year, strong winds have caused damage. Hydro-meteorological conditions are becoming increasingly unpredictable and subject to abrupt changes.
According to EcoLur’s study, Pambak community lacks sufficient financial resources to implement climate projects. There is also a lack of specialists capable of developing and implementing adaptation and mitigation measures. Climate and sustainable energy measures are not included in existing subvention and development plans. Moreover, community awareness remains low. The community urgently needs:
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A modern early warning system for climate risks
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A hail protection system
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An upgraded irrigation system
Such improvements would help revitalize agriculture, a sector many residents are abandoning due to climate-related risks.
To address climate challenges and energy poverty, the following measures are proposed:
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Construction of solar or wind power plants of community importance
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Afforestation and reforestation
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Construction of geomembrane reservoirs
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Sorting and recycling of municipal solid waste
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Neutralization of the Arjut landfill and informal dumping sites, and construction of a new sanitary landfill
The implementation of these climate projects requires financial support from international donors and green climate funds.
Victoria Burnazyan also presented EcoLur’s newly developed “Guideline for Implementing Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Policies at Local Level”, which aims to strengthen the resilience of communities and their constituent settlements to climate risks. The guideline was developed with the support of UNDP “Armenia’s Climate Promise” program.
To be continued.
July 11, 2025 at 17:50