Future research directions for understanding the interconnections between climate change, water scarcity, and mobility in rural Central Asia
Hermans K. Djanibekov N. Abdullaev I. Abduvalieva N. Assubayeva A. Blondin S. Bobojonov I. Conrad C. Herzfeld T. Kansiime J. Kimsanova B. Laldjebaev M. Mirkasimov B. Mirzabaev A. Murzakulova A. Rajabova S. Samakov A. Schraven B. Sterly H. Umirbekov A.
2025Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Climate and Development
2025#17Issue 7638 - 647 pp.
Central Asia faces substantial water scarcity due to increasing water demand driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, economic development, and inefficiency of irrigated agriculture. These developments are compounded by the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, loss of glacier mass and increased frequency of extreme events, including droughts. The regions escalating water scarcity is causing disputes and straining rural livelihoods. Moreover, these challenges drive migration, creating considerable societal impacts. However, these issues remain underexplored in climate change research, making the region a global blind spot in climate adaptation and migration studies. We advocate for innovative research pathways that scrutinize smallholder adaptation strategies, examine the nexus between climate change, water scarcity, and mobility, and investigate tensions and cooperation over water resources. We conclude by emphasizing that substantial investments in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, improved data availability and quality, and strengthening of research and institutional capacities are essential to advance interdisciplinary climate impact research in Central Asia. Such efforts are vital for addressing existing knowledge gaps and enhancing evidence-based policymaking to improve the region’s position in current and future debates on climate change and sustainable development.
Adaptation , Central Asia , Climate change , Climate mobilities , Research priorities , Water scarcity
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Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), Halle (Saale), Germany
Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Institute of Geography, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Department of Geoecology, Institute of Geosciences and Geography, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Banos, Philippines
Graduate School of Development (GDS), University of Central Asia, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Bonn, Germany
Department of Geography and Regional Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO)
Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU)
Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT)
Institute of Geography
Department of Geoecology
Graduate School of Public Policy
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Graduate School of Development (GDS)
Institute of Social Anthropology
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Department of Geography and Regional Research
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