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

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.

International dialogue in Nepal calls for urgent climate action in mountains

International dialogue in Nepal calls for urgent climate action in mountains

peak to peak

The June 2024 issue of Peak to Peak covers the two-day international expert dialogue on "Mountain, People, and Climate Change" held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 22-23 May. Top news stories cover mountain events at the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the UN Forum on Forests. Peak to Peak...

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Nepal calls for a unified mountain voice for urgent climate action

Nepal calls for a unified mountain voice for urgent climate action

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“Without cohesive and effective adaptation and mitigation plans, climate change has the capacity to undo the progress of development and plunge millions more into poverty,” said the Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, emphasizing that climate change presents a universal threat affecting all people and ecosystems.

Speaking...

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UNFF19: Safeguarding mountain forests for sustainable mountain development

UNFF19: Safeguarding mountain forests for sustainable mountain development

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On 10 May, the Governments of Kyrgyzstan, Italy and Nepal, in collaboration with the UN Group of Friends for Mountains, hosted a side event at the 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) at UN headquarters in New York. The event emphasized the pivotal role of mountains...

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FAO welcomes the celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026

FAO welcomes the celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) welcomes the resolution adopted on 2 May 2024 by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 as International Year of Woman Farmer.

More than 50 percent of women in mountainous regions perform agricultural activities. Women play a key role...

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Spotlighting mountain youth at the 2024 ECOSOC Youth Forum

Spotlighting mountain youth at the 2024 ECOSOC Youth Forum

peak to peak

The May 2024 issue of Peak to Peak shares the outcome of the Mountain Partnership Mountain Youth Hub's first ever side event during the ECOSOC Youth Forum. The newsletter continues with the exciting announcement of a new Mountain Partnership Goodwill Ambassador: American climber Sasha DiGiulian. Top news stories feature opportunities and...

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New Adaptation at Altitude documentary highlights the crucial role of mountains in our world

New Adaptation at Altitude documentary highlights the crucial role of mountains in our world

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The Adaptation at Altitude team has released a short documentary that explains the global team's mission and motivation for addressing adaptation issues in the mountains. Through interviews with renowned experts, the documentary highlights the urgent need to recognize the crucial role of mountains in our world. Featuring diverse voices from...

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