Climate change impacts are already noticeable in Central Asia, which is expected to be one of the most vulnerable regions globally. Global warming leads to increased melting of snow and glaciers and thawing of permafrost and as such affect the overall water balance. The mountain cryosphere is already changing and will continue to change considerably towards the end of this century, depending on emission pathways.
These changes will dramatically alter the resource bases of the communities and societies of Central Asia depending on water availability from glaciers, snow and permafrost. This nexus brief explores the interactions between changes in the cryosphere due to climate change and the consequences for water resources and hazard management in Central Asia. It analyses the status of those changes and discusses policy responses and implications for development and cooperation.