UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres calls on mountain countries to take bold action on climate change mitigation and adaption

External links

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report and its Cross-Chapter Paper 5 on Mountains

Climate change impacts on mountain regions of the world

Climate-Smart Agriculture

Mountain Research Initiative (MRI)

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Mountains and climate change

Human activities are profoundly affecting the world’s climate, and mountains are a sensitive indicator of that effect. Because of their altitude, slope and orientation to the sun, mountain ecosystems are easily disrupted by variations in climate. Many scientists believe that the changes occurring in mountain ecosystems may provide an early glimpse of what could come to pass in lowland environments.

As the world heats up, mountain glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, while rare plants and animals struggle to survive over ever diminishing areas, and mountain peoples, already among the world’s poorest citizens, face even greater hardships.

Changes in the volume of mountain glaciers and in their seasonal melting patterns have an impact on water resources in many parts of the world. Changes in water availability due to climate change are taking place at a time when pressure on water resources for irrigation and food production, industrialization and urbanization is increasing.

Understanding how climate change affects mountains is vital as governments and international organizations develop strategies to reverse current global warming trends, elaborating treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. In addition, local community empowerment can be an essential step towards building climate change resilience in mountains.

Launching event of the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development

peak to peak

The May 2022 issue of Peak to Peak highlights the opening ceremony of the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022. Top news stories cover the release of the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment's new global mountain inventory, a workshop hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Network...

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Protective functions of forests in a changing climate: 70 years of European experience – World Forestry Congress side event

event

The European Forestry Commission (EFC) Working Party on the Management of Mountain Watersheds (WPMMW) was established in 1950 to promote sustainable development in mountain areas. Currently, Austria chairs the group and has put an emphasis on the protective functions of mountain forests in a changing climate.

Forests fulfil many crucial protective...

Students advocate for mountain women and sustainable mountain development

news

The Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at Utah Valley University, continues to actively promote sustainable mountain development.

On 3 March 2022, the UIMF hosted a discussion on mountains with Ambassador Harold Forsyth, Chair of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS)...

Call for inputs, UNSG report on sustainable mountain development

peak to peak

The April 2022 issue of Peak to Peak calls for inputs to the 2022 United Nations Secretary-General report on sustainable mountain development. Top news stories cover mountain-related events in Andorra, Nepal and South Africa, as well as a side event on fragile ecosystems held on the sidelines of the 66th...

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International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, 2022

publication

On 16 December 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution proclaiming 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development at the proposal of the Kyrgyz Government. The resolution was sponsored by 94 governments and invites the Mountain Partnership to facilitate the observance of this Year.

Read...

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Sustainable mountain tourism: FAO's high-level virtual event to mark International Mountain Day

peak to peak

The December 2021 issue of Peak to Peak announces the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' official celebration of International Mountain Day 2021, to be held on 10 December. Top news stories cover mountain-related events at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the unveiling of a rooftop farm...