CAREC Institute Expert Shares Insights on Household Heat Adaptation at OSCE Academy Public Lecture

On 25 April 2025, Dr. Hans Holzhacker, consultant and former Chief Economist at the CAREC Institute, participated in a public lecture hosted by the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, focused on the forthcoming research paper “Heat Adaptation in Central Asia Through Household Cooling Choices.” The event brought together climate and energy experts from the CAREC Institute, OSCE Academy, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Norwegian Institute of International Affairs to examine how households in Central Asia are responding to rising temperatures.

Dr. Holzhacker shared findings from the Fergana Valley Project, a joint study with the ADB Institute and the Public Opinion Research Institute in Astana, which also provided data for the upcoming paper. He emphasized that while many households are willing to adopt more efficient cooling methods, they need clear and timely information and well-designed technical and financial support to do so. Effective policy, he noted, must be grounded in a deep understanding of household behavior.

Lead author Burulcha Sulaimanova, Head of Research and Training at the OSCE Academy, highlighted the urgency of adapting to increasing heat in Central Asia, where demand for cooling technologies is growing rapidly. She pointed out that much research has focused on agriculture and public health, household-level adaptation remains understudied despite its critical importance.

Coauthor Dr. Dina Azhgaliyeva, Senior Climate Economist at ADB, shared key findings from the Fergana Valley—spanning parts of the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. She noted that households in hotter areas are more likely to adopt cooling technologies, yet significant gaps remain: 14% of households in Uzbekistan, 35% in Tajikistan, and 40% in the Kyrgyz Republic lack any cooling system, increasing their vulnerability to extreme heat. Among those without air conditioning, 48% of households rely on fans or window films, which are more resilient during power outages compared to energy-intensive air conditioning units. Dr. Azhgaliyeva also emphasized the potential of solar panels to help meet rising summer energy demand, which closely aligns with cooling needs.

The lecture concluded with an engaging discussion on the health impacts of extreme heat, the role of traditional cooling practices, and the broader implications of the research.