Introduction to Georgia

Georgia is located in the South Caucasus Region at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, and has a population of 3.7 million people.1 40% of Georgia’s population is rural.2 The climate zone of Georgia is divided into humid continental climate in the central regions, and temperate oceanic climate in the Eastern and Western regions.3 Georgia's economy is characterized by a mix of sectors, including agriculture, mining, energy and tourism, with agriculture playing a significant role employing 40% of the working population4 and contributing 6.5% to the national GDP.5 The country heavily relies on the service sector, which accounts for 55% of its GDP. With Georgia’s strategic location along the shortest route connecting Europe and Asia, the state’s transport system is a critical link in the Silk Road trade network.6 Georgia is also endowed with vast mineral resources, being ranked 18th in the world for export of copper ore which contributes to over 23% of the nation’s export revenue.7 With Georgia dependent on climate-sensitive sectors such as hydro, which makes up 68% of its energy mix, the country’s economy is at great risk due to its increased vulnerability to severe weather events such as heavy rainfall, landslides, and drought. 

Mapping Major Climate Events and Climate-Induced Displacement

Georgia is vulnerable to climate disasters, ranking 108 out of 180 countries in the Global Climate Risk Index 2021.8 The major climate hazards experienced by Georgia are flood, drought and storm, which account for over 77% of the average annual hazard occurrence for 1980-2020.9 Between 1980 and 2000, the country experienced 2 years of intense flooding and 0 storms. But the numbers increased to a staggering 11 and 13, respectively, between 2001 and 2020, with floods affecting over 160,000 people.10 Between 2008 and 2022, 14 disaster events were reported in Georgia, amongst which floods displaced 2,500 people and storms displaced 1,300 people.11 The 2015 flood in the capital city of Tbilisi was one of the worst natural disasters experienced by the country in recent decades leading to the death of 19 people and damage estimated at $50 million.12 Recently in 2023, flood, following heavy rain and hail, hit Eastern Georgia, damaging orchards and potentially leaving farmers without any harvest for the year.13 The frequency, severity and duration of these climate disasters are only expected to increase with the changing climate.

Mapping the Costs of the Climate Crisis

The GDP of Georgia is US$18.63 billion,14 and more than 17.5% of its population live below the national poverty line.15 In addition to affecting Georgia’s output levels, public finances, and stability, natural disasters are expected to increasingly disrupt its economy and disproportionately affect the country’s low-income population. Georgia’s GDP per capita is at risk of declining by 13 percent by 2070.16 Furthermore, the public debt could increase by 18 percent of GDP within the same time period.17 Georgia also faces considerable risks associated with climate change mitigation efforts, particularly the adoption of clean energy technologies dependent on critical minerals. The demand for copper, Georgia's primary export, is expected to triple by 2040.18 Mineral resources, such as copper and gold, are extracted in an important agricultural area of South-Eastern Georgia, where the industry is responsible for significant ecological risks and contamination of rivers critical for the region’s livelihood.19 Climate disasters combined with extractive industries threaten agricultural productivity and food security of Georgia.

Mapping Resilience and Mitigation Pathways

Georgia, constituting 0.05 percent of the world's population, is responsible for 0.04 percent of the global cumulative carbon dioxide emission.20 Georgia pledged to take action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change by signing the Paris Agreement, with the aim of reducing 35% of its greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 level under the Business As Usual (BAU) scenario by 2030 and 50-57% with substantial international support. With carbon dioxide emission as a percentage of total fuel combustion being highest in the transport sector,21 Georgia has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector by 15% from the reference level by 2030.b As part of its mitigation efforts, Georgia aims to promote low-carbon practices in the building sector, specifically targeting public and touristic buildings, by encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and services aligned with its climate goals. In Georgia’s NDC, the focus areas prioritized for developing adaptive capacity and resilience include mountain ecosystem, tourism, agriculture, forestry and biodiversity. 

Necessary Changes

The increasing frequency and severity of climate change impacts on Georgia emphasizes the importance of a just transition that is inclusive of low-income, underserved populations. Given Georgia’s high vulnerability to flooding, it is critical to increase international support for building the country’s climate resiliency and adaptive capacity. It is imperative for Georgia to prioritize the development of robust urban planning strategies that effectively account for climate risks and foster resilient cities. While promoting divestment from extractive and ecologically destructive industries, such as its mining sector, Georgia should implement robust and effective pollution control measures and regulations. Such efforts will ensure that mining activities adhere to strict environmental standards, reducing the release of harmful pollutants into the air, waterways, and surrounding ecosystems. Furthermore, even though the share of renewables in Georgia’s electricity mix is 81%, the country is heavily dependent on imported oil and natural gas for its primary energy needs.22 Therefore, Georgia needs to scale down its reliance on fossil fuel by further advancing the development of its renewable energy sector, accelerating the electrification of the transportation sector, and promoting energy efficiency and conservation.