Paper short abstract:

Central Asia is highly vulnerable to climate change and its temperature is rising faster than the global average. This article assesses the extent to which the academic community engaged with climate change in Central Asia between 1991 and 2021.

Paper long abstract:

Central Asia is highly vulnerable to climate change and its temperature is rising faster than the global average, thus posing various risks to the region. This article assesses the extent to which the academic community engaged with climate change in Central Asia between 1991 and 2021. The systematic review method with respect to academic and grey literature is used. The article finds that climate change has been neglected in the field of Central Asia area studies. The very same scholars who have been most active in the securitisation of Central Asia have ignored the severe security threats that climate change poses to the region. The article contributes to the field of Central Asian studies by drawing attention to severe knowledge gaps that hinder the countries from adapting to climate change. It concludes with six policy and research-related recommendations.