Afghanistan faces a significant climate crisis exacerbated by inadequate international aid and unrealistic suggestions that it should finance climate action through its mineral wealth. The country suffers from severe economic losses due to climate disasters, and the political instability hinders potential revenue generation from its untapped resources. As global climate funding decreases, Afghan resilience against climate change remains precarious, necessitating urgent international support and a renewed focus on the needs of fragile states.

In a recent discussion about climate finance, a troubling perspective emerged: growing calls by developed nations are urging developing countries to utilize their internal resources, particularly mineral wealth, to fund climate action. This trend poses a significant challenge for fragile states such as Afghanistan, which are ill-equipped to implement such strategies due to ongoing governance, financial instability, and security issues.

Afghanistan is historically amongst the nations receiving insufficient climate financing, alongside other vulnerable countries. Despite facing severe climate risks, international funding mechanisms have largely failed to address their needs. The Climate Adaptation Finance Index (CAFI) 2024 reveals that 90% of developing nations, including Afghanistan, receive less adaptation funding than is warranted by their climate risks.

The destructive impacts of climate disasters in Afghanistan are stark. Recent flash floods resulted in over 315 fatalities and the destruction of homes, highlighting the nation’s extreme vulnerability. The agricultural sector, crucial for the economy, suffers repeatedly from climate-induced disasters, exacerbating food insecurity and poverty.

According to an Afghanistan Analysts Network report, climate-related economic losses for Afghanistan are estimated at $550 million in a typical year, soaring to over $3 billion during severe droughts. This amounts to a significant portion of the nation’s GDP, with the national budget of $2.7 billion in 2023 barely covering essential government functions.

An alternative frequently proposed to alleviate Afghanistan’s financial strain is its untapped mineral wealth, estimated at over $1 trillion. However, challenges arising from underdevelopment, lack of regulatory framework, and political instability render this option impractical. Issues like the stalled development of the Mes Aynak copper mine highlight the limitations of expecting revenue from mining to finance essential climate adaptation initiatives.

Large-scale mineral extraction requires considerable long-term investment, which is unlikely in the current Afghan political climate marked by sanctions and a lack of technical expertise. Even recent efforts to boost coal exports have proven insufficient to support essential national expenditures.

The landscape of global climate finance is grim, with reductions in aid to fragile states coinciding with an urgent need for increased funding at critical moments. The ambitious goals set at COP29 are at risk due to reduced international aid and commitments, as seen with the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. This disconnect undermines the legitimacy of global climate agreements and threatens the realization of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In conclusion, Afghanistan’s ability to independently finance climate action through its resources is unrealistic given its governance issues, fiscal constraints, and significant vulnerability to climate change. The shrinking international aid context necessitates a reevaluation of priorities, with urgent support for fragile states being imperative. The climate crisis affecting Afghanistan is not merely an environmental concern but one that poses grave humanitarian and economic threats. Hence, the global community must prioritize effective climate action to uphold climate justice and prevent exacerbating existing crises.

Original Source: toda.org

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