Georgia is located in the South Caucasus Region, with an area of 69,800 km2. Georgia is characterized by sharp vertical zoning, primarily within the Great Caucasus mountains in the north, and Small (or Lesser) Caucasus, in the south. Two-thirds of the country is mountainous and 20% of the country is located at 2,000 m or more above sea level. Georgia is a lower-middle-income country with rich natural resources and is also highly dependent upon tourism, both of which are highly vulnerable to climate variability and change (USAID). Georgia has a population of just over 3.7 million people (2017), with an annual population growth rate of -0.1% (2017) and has experienced negative population growth since 2000. Georgia has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $15.1 billion (2017), and experienced 5% annual growth rate in 2017. 46% of the population lives in rural areas.
Georgia submitted its Nationally-Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2015 and has pledged to reduce its Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by 15% below the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario by 2030. Georgia also completed and submitted its Third National Communication (NC3) in 2015. Adaptation priorities have been identified for the country’s agriculture, forestry, water resources, natural hazards and energy sectors. Adaptation and mitigation efforts are also paired with economic planning to support the development of resilience capabilities.