On July 29, 2025, a regional consultation was held at Talin consolidated municipality community, Aragatsotn Region, to identify community needs in implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.
Participants included Members of Parliament (MPs), representatives from Talin local government, UNDP, the Ministry of Environment, NGOs, experts, and youth.
The objective of the consultation was to raise awareness about Armenia’s national climate commitments, especially the 2021–2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and to collect input from local authorities, civil society, and youth regarding climate challenges, needs, and opportunities. The consultation also provided a platform for dialogue with MPs.
The event was organized within the UNDP FORSETI Project ("Fostering Responsive, Effective, Transparent, and Inclusive National Assembly of Armenia"), implemented with funding from the Governments of Sweden and Canada, in cooperation with the National Assembly of Armenia.
Victoria Burnazyan, Deputy President of EcoLur Informational NGO, presented the challenges and opportunities related to the localization of climate adaptation and mitigation policies in Aragatsotn Region and in Talin, in the context of Armenia’s national climate agenda.
She presented the key climate policy documents of Armenia, including:
- The Governmental Resolution on the Approval of Armenia’s 2021–2030 NDCs under the Paris Agreement, outlining both mitigation and adaptation commitments
- The National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
- The Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (to be implemented by 2050)
The NAP foresees separate adaptation programs for six sectors: agriculture, water resources, energy, health, forestry, and tourism. Burnazyan noted that only the adaptation plan for water resources has been approved by the government so far. While some adaptation measures for agriculture and health have been included in sectoral strategies, this limits the scope of climate action. Adaptation plans have been developed for four regions, but not yet for Aragatsotn.
Burnazyan emphasized the need to develop and implement community-level adaptation plans and raise awareness on climate change at the local level.
With support from the UNDP Climate Promise program, EcoLur developed a community guide for designing and integrating climate adaptation and mitigation plans into community development and subvention programs. The guide is available on the official website of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.
Based on surveys, observations, and analysis of official documents, EcoLur identified existing climate-related issues and risks in Talin community. Burnazyan noted the following climate phenomena observed in Talin: rising average air temperatures, increased drought, reduced precipitation, intensifying desertification, hail, early frosts, mudflows, and floods.
These changes have resulted in: declining crop yields, reduced livestock numbers, decreased natural water flows, drying springs, soil degradation, loss of pasture vegetation, which all negatively affect community incomes.
Burnazyan also noted that climate risks are not evaluated in subvention programs. On the other hand, the community lacks sufficient financial resources for climate-related initiatives and is heavily dependent on government support.
In addition, there is a shortage of experts in climate change mitigation and adaptation planning. The community’s five-year development programs do not include climate or sustainable energy action plans. Public awareness is low regarding energy efficiency, mitigation, and adaptation measures.
Burnazyan addressed the climate mitigation policies implemented by the state and community in Talin:
“We consider Talin a solar community, where solar energy is actively developing. Currently, 13 industrial solar plants with a total capacity of 47.80 MW, producing 92.52 million kWh annually, are operating in the area. These stations occupy about 100 hectares. Talin will also be home to Armenia’s largest industrial solar plant, the 200 MW “Ayg-1”, expected to be completed in 2027, according to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure,” she stated.
Serge Mkrtchyan, Deputy Head of Talin community, raised the issue of unpaid compensation from Masdar for subvention programs:
“These land plots were donated. Had we sold them at cadastral value, the revenue would have been much higher. Of course, the government provided nearly 1 billion AMD, but Masdar has yet to pay us. The agreement required us to implement the program first, submit documentation, and then receive compensation. We fulfilled the conditions in 2023 and submitted all documents, but still have not received the payment,” he said, asking for support in ensuring the community is compensated.
Burnazyan presented the climate mitigation measures already implemented by the community:
“On April 28, 2023, the Talin Community Council adopted Decision N52-A to join the EU’s Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy initiative. According to 2023 data, solar autonomous systems were installed on several public buildings, including: a 30 kW system on the municipality building, 20 kW on the House of Culture, 15 kW on the Art School, 10 kW on the sports school, 10 kW on a residential building.
Street lighting networks were also constructed and renovated.”
Burnazyan also highlighted adaptation programs carried out under subvention programs: drinking water network renovation in Agarakavan, Kakavadzor, Mastara, Ashnak, Katnaghbyur, and Arteni. Irrigation network restoration in Dastakert.
“A total of 547.3095 hectares were allocated from Talin and Dastakert for “Ayg-1” solar plant. Back in December 2019, the Armenian government’s Resolution N1922-L granted these lands to address community needs through subvention programs. The restoration of Dastakert’s irrigation network was part of “Ayg-1” project, as some of the land was taken from there. 320 million AMD was allocated to be provided by Masdar Armenia for community initiatives,” she said.
It was noted that Talin community needs: expert support for climate risk assessment and adaptation planning, an early warning system for climate hazards, comprehensive prevention measures, potential afforestation of about 1,000 hectares of community land, with appropriate support.
Also needed: geomembrane water reservoirs for irrigation, hail protection systems, agricultural insurance, energy-efficient renovation of residential buildings, a community-owned solar plant to reduce energy poverty and save financial resources.
Alongside the development of solar energy, the issue of electronic waste disposal has emerged. It is necessary to clarify mechanisms for neutralizing decommissioned solar panels and equipment.
Other needs include: staff retraining, energy management, participation in international programs, sanitation site management, municipal waste sorting and recycling, soil degradation mitigation, improved drinking and irrigation water supply services, increased pasture productivity, and construction of fodder sheds and drinking troughs.
To address the identified issues, the following proposals were made:
· Establish incentive mechanisms for implementing climate subvention programs;
· Encourage water-saving technologies and the creation of agricultural and livestock cooperatives through legislative support;
· Implement awareness campaigns on localizing climate sector policies, initiated by state agencies;
· Construct a community solar power plant in Talin with government support;
· Create dedicated positions for a climate specialist and energy manager within the municipality.
To be continued
August 07, 2025 at 10:46