The Kyrgyz Republic contributes less than 0.034% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet few countries are as exposed to the consequences of a warming climate. With 94% of its territory above 1,000 metres, the country depends on glacier-fed rivers for water, agriculture and hydropower—and those glaciers are receding faster than projected. In October 2025, the government submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), committing to an 18% reduction in emissions by 2030 (30% with international support) and 16% by 2035 (39% with support). The plan was developed through consultation with over 1,000 stakeholders and includes, for the first time, a just-transition principle covering workers and communities affected by the shift to a green economy.

This White Paper, prepared under the EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component, examines how sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and circular economy (CE) approaches can help the Kyrgyz Republic meet its NDC targets more cost-effectively and whether they can help close a substantial climate finance gap. The paper’s central argument is that circular economy measures are not merely an environmental add-on but a strategic mechanism to reduce the cost of climate action and mobilise additional resources.