Tajikistan Explores Carbon Market Potential

Why this is here: Tajikistan may need to invest approximately $34 billion between 2025 and 2030, and an additional $45 billion between 2031 and 2050, to achieve an ambitious green economy development scenario.

In Tajikistan, officials are considering a carbon market to attract international investment and address climate change impacts like glacier melt and water scarcity. The country hopes to participate in programs like the UN Green Energy Program and the Asian Development Bank project to fund sustainable projects—renewable energy and ecotourism among them.

To fully implement a carbon market, Tajikistan may require roughly $96 billion in investment through 2050, raising questions about its ability to fund these projects independently. Currently, the country lacks a carbon credit certification system, emissions monitoring, and a complete legal framework. Experts suggest establishing emission quotas for larger enterprises like TALCO and Dushanbe CHPP, but note there are too few of these to form a robust market.

Forestry projects and modernizing facilities like the Huaxin cement plant offer potential avenues for generating carbon credits, but concerns remain about the environmental impact of existing hydropower and continued reliance on coal. The work to establish a functional carbon market, with necessary infrastructure and expertise, continues.