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Afghanistan

SCP Context

Afghanistan National Context for SCP and Connection to the Global Agenda

Afghanistan has seen the hardships of conflict, Taliban rule and war and violence for the past four decades.  As a mountainous country, its population of 32 million is located mostly in the plains, living predominantly in rural areas. Less than 30 percent live in and around its main cities, one of the lowest urbanisation tallies globally, but rural-urban migration dynamics are strong. Despite its wealth of mineral deposits, Afghanistan is one of the least developed countries worldwide.  Its main economic sector is agriculture, employing more than 40% of working adults. Informal and irregular employment is frequent and manufacturing and service sector are in early stages of development.

Having launched its second National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDFII) in July 2020, the Afghan governments’ development focus for the next five years will be on peace-building, state-building, and market-building. It seeks to eradicate poverty and develop the country into a self-reliant and broad-based, job-creating economy. It further seeks to establish rule of law, build resilient institutions and establish stronger connections within the region and to the world. 

The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) is Afghanistan’s main environmental regulator and policymaker. Afghanistan has signed important international agreements in the environmental policy sphere, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It also is party to the South Asian Association for Regional   Cooperation (SAARC), and the South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP). Afghanistan has reported on its national contributions as part of the UNFCCC process twice. In terms of SCP policy, Afghanistan has submitted its voluntary national review in 2017 and 2021, also addressing SDG 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production. Due to its status as an economy shaped by continued violence and agriculture, typical SDG 12 indicators are not fully applicable. Waste and effluent management are in early stages. The total material footprint per capita lies at 1,4 tons, compared to 12 tons global average, and the lowest quota in South Asia. This can be interpreted as below the threshold of fulfilling human needs. In coming years, it will be important to strengthen provisioning for the population in a sustainable manner, which is part of Afghanistan’s development strategy.  

Cooperation with the European Union has promoted sustainable consumption and production through SWITCH-Asia utilising the Grants Programme. The Kabul Green Homes project aimed at strengthening energy saving solutions, and engaging networks of stakeholders in view of coordinated poverty reduction.

Challenges

Following nearly four decades of conflict, Afghanistan’s financial resources are scarce, and available capacities are absorbed in the shift from a war-torn country to stability and self-reliance. 

  • Given Afghanistan’s financial instability and dependence on the international community, innovative funding mechanisms will be required to implement and achieve the SDGs and to transform to SCP.
  • Much of Afghanistan’s infrastructure and energy facilities have been destroyed or severely damaged.
  • In the absence of monitoring technologies and sufficient budget for implementation and enforcement, measures to curb pollution are extremely difficult to implement and achieve. 
  • Air pollution endangers human health. Common causes include low-quality fuel and inefficient vehicles and combustion of solid fuels (burning of tires, rubber, plastic, coal, and wood) used for heating and cooking. 
  • Lack of a proper disposal and management of solid waste at the national level. Waste is dumped in valleys and open fields, which has affected air and caused underwater pollution. Many houses lack sanitation and access to clean water.
  • Large plots of productive agricultural land have turned into dangerous minefields due to the current situation in the country. Additionally, most farmers continue the traditional grazing and farming techniques which have only increased with population growth and have resulted in the depletion of forests and wetlands. 
  • Climate change is causing a change in weather and precipitation patterns, which have considerable impact on the agricultural seasons, thereby increasing the risk of flash floods and mudslides in early spring. The country lacks water storage facilities and flood control measures.

Priorities

When addressing Afghanistan’s challenges, the following priorities in the field of sustainable consumption and production can support the progress of the economy: 

  • Supporting agroforestry, reforestation, and water-efficient agri-food processing.
  • Private capital and remittances from the Afghan diaspora can be used to invest in sustainability solutions, such as sustainable energy, electrification and efficient transport and logistics solutions.
  • Due to the population’s movement to the cities, integrating sustainable urban development pathways is of high relevance.
  • Provide sustainability framework, circular economy approaches and development support for small and medium-sized enterprises. 
  • With a longer-term view, sustainable tourism services and the promotion of “green” trade can further support the economic stability of the country.
  • Making use of the potential of digitizing the economy. 

Opportunities

  • Afghanistan’s efforts towards the achievement of the Agenda 2030 will require dedicated partnerships between the Government, civil society organizations and private sector actors, in close cooperation with the United Nations and international partners. 
  • In the context of the inter-disciplinary nature of SCP, support multi-sectoral cooperation and development support for increased stability and pro-environment, pro-climate decision-making.
  • Expand cooperation with international organizations and institutions especially on impact measurement (data collection, analysis, monitoring frameworks/indicators, data accuracy, reporting). 
  • Further exploration of innovative finance will help building the enabling framework for SCP and attracting green investment for example in the agricultural sector, or SMEs addressing waste management.

SWITCH-Asia Activities

2018

SCP Facility 

  • Preliminary assessment of SCP related policies, activities, needs/gaps, and opportunities.

Regional Policy Advocacy Component (RPAC)

Facilitated the participation of Afghan key-stakeholders in the following regional/ sub-regional activities:

2019

Regional Policy Advocacy Component (RPAC)

Facilitated the participation of Afghan key-stakeholders in the following regional/ sub-regional activities:

2020

SCP Facility 

  • Afghanistan grant project Kabul Green Homes was part of the grants and finance review and featured in the country impact sheet of Afghanistan. 

Regional Policy Advocacy Component (RPAC)

Facilitated the participation of Afghan key-stakeholders in the following regional/ sub-regional activities:

2021

SCP Facility

  • SWITCH-Asia grant project Kabul Green Homes presented its approach and learning experiences at the SCP Facility Cluster Meeting on Housing and Buildings in March 2021.

Regional Policy Advocacy Component (RPAC)

Facilitated the participation of Afghan key-stakeholders in the following regional/ sub-regional activities:

Resources

Country Profile Afghanistan
Country Profile Afghanistan
Theme: SCP
Country: Afghanistan
2,449 Views
READ
SDG 12 Monitoring and Reporting in South Asia
SDG 12 Monitoring and Reporting in South Asia
Theme: SCP, SDGs
Country: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
2,797 Views
READ

Grants Projects

Grants Projects Database

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Kabul Green Homes
Kabul Green Homes
Theme: Housing and Buildings
Afghanistan
3,676 Views
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