<sub><strong>A New Dan for Afghanistan: Transitioning to a Green Economy Amidst War's Economic and Environmental Challenges</strong></sub>
Creators: name: Popal, Baheshta
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 440704
subject: Environment policy

description: The impact of war on Afghanistan's agricultural sector has been profound, with nearly half of the country's agrarian land and its irrigation systems, including the traditional Qanat/Karez system, destroyed. The Qanat/Karez system, an ancient groundwater system crucial for Afghan survival, has been heavily impacted by frequent bombardments and movements of heavy military vehicles, leading to its gradual disappearance. This destruction has left water supplies contaminated, significantly affecting both the environment and human health.The frequent use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other explosives has further decreased the agricultural and economic value of the soil, resulting in waste or damaged crop qualities. Regions such as the Shomali plains near Kabul, the fruit orchards of the Central Highlands, and parts of Kandahar and other southern/eastern areas, renowned for their world-class pomegranate and grape production, suffered from deteriorating crop qualities even after the fighting ended. Restoring the nutrient value of the land requires a significant amount of time, effort, and financial resources, proving to be costly for a least developed country like Afghanistan.Transitioning Afghanistan to a greener economy requires significant investment, planning, and global cooperation. This includes harnessing renewable energy sources, reforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, improving public transport, implementing energy efficiency, seeking international aid, creating green jobs, enforcing environmental regulations, raising public awareness, and integrating climate adaptation measures. These efforts can lead Afghanistan towards a sustainable and resilient future.The UNEP report highlights the potential of a green economy to drive growth and reduce poverty, especially in developing countries like Afghanistan. It emphasizes that up to 90% of the GDP of impoverished communities relies on nature or natural capital. This underscores the importance of sustainable management of resources for economic development. Transitioning to a green economy, focusing on sustainability and resource efficiency, can open new avenues for inclusive growth. This involves investing in renewable energy, promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and encouraging green innovation.In conclusion, Afghanistan stands at a critical juncture, facing formidable challenges from both the impacts of war and the effects of climate change. The country's fragile ecosystem and reliance on agriculture make it particularly vulnerable to environmental degradation, threatening food security and economic stability. The devastation wrought by decades of conflict has left a profound imprint on Afghanistan's land, water, and biodiversity. From soil contamination to the destruction of vital infrastructure, the environmental toll of war has been immense. The loss of traditional water management systems like the Qanat/Karez system has further exacerbated water scarcity issues, impacting both the environment and human health. Despite these challenges, Afghanistan has made strides in establishing institutions and laws to address environmental concerns, particularly in the realm of climate change.