Key publications
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Policy Briefs and Reports
Towards systemic disaster risk reduction in mountains - policy brief
12.10.2023Mountains are multi-risk areas due to complex interactions between natural and socioeconomic factors. These multiple risks can manifest locally but can also have severe impacts in distant lowland areas, thus requiring coordinated approaches across sectors and regions. Moreover, mountain risks are embedded in the specific natural, cultural, social and economic... Download » |
Sustainable soil management in mountain regions - policy brief
20.02.2023Mountain soils represent a finite, virtually non-renewable resource that provide essential ecosystem services for life on Earth, not only in the mountains but also downstream. This policy brief, published as a contribution to the Interational Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022, discuss the drivers of soil degredation in mountain regions... Download » |
Harnessing the socio-ecological potential of mountain biosphere reserves for biodiversity conservation - policy brief
19.01.2023In this policy brief, the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme and the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves present their recommendations for harnessing the socio-ecological potential of mountain biosphere reserves for biodiversity conservation. From the paradigm-shifting landscape approach to the potential for scientific collaboration between more than half of biosphere... Download » |
Mountains and heritage-making - policy brief.png "Mountains and heritage-making - policy brief")
15.12.20222022 is the international year of sustainable mountain development. The recent policy brief on Mountain and heritage-making was prepared with the support of the Geneva School of Social Sciences and the Mountain Partnership. Download » |
Ecosystem restoration in the mountains - policy brief
15.12.2022Mountains play a crucial role for both the highlands and lowlands, but are particularly vulnerable to climate change and human interventions. This policy brief focuses on ecosystem restoration in the mountains. It highlights the role of healthy mountain ecosystems and their services and provides a set of recommendations to help... Download » |
Mountain Observations: Monitoring, Data, and Information for Science, Policy, and Society - policy brief
30.11.2022Observations play a key role in tracking mountain global change and its impacts, understanding the various processes and feedback mechanisms involved, and delivering more reliable projections of the future to society. This policy brief provides an overview of the current state of multi-disciplinary mountain observations. It represents a contribution of the... Download » |
Keeping our mountains plastic waste free - policy brief
29.09.2022Mountain areas host both sprawling cities and rural settlements, providing a home for about 15 per cent of the global population. Linked to global supply chains and as a consequence of population growth, overconsumption and tourism, the generation of waste – especially plastic waste – is surging across mountains. This... Download » |
Inclusive and resilient mountain food systems: Opportunities and best practices - policy brief
27.09.2022Mountain food systems are unique, complex, diverse, and linked with cultures of local communities and indigenous peoples. They shape landscapes, and support biodiversity and nutrition security worldwide. Currently, these systems are playing an important for providing ecosystem services, sustaining the livelihoods of 1.1 billion people living in the world’s mountains... Download » |
Briefing note – Mountains in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
24.01.2022This briefing note was produced by the United Nations Environment Programme in close collaboration with the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, the Mountain Research Initiative, the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment and GRID-Arendal. It highlights indicators (with a focus on... Download » |
Indicators for Elevating Mountains in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
07.05.2021In November 2020, the CBD Subsidiary Body On Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (CBD/SBSTTA/24/3Add.13) released a set of indicators to support the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. This brief highlights the indicators considered important for safeguarding mountain biodiversity and ecosystem integrity, in line with previous policy recommendations presented at the... Download » |
Including mountains in the CBD Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
07.05.2021Mountains are vital for the conservation of biodiversity, and mountain people are critical to managing and protecting biodiversity. In this policy note, the Mountain Partnership calls on the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to ensure that mountains are explicitly included in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and... Download » |
Highlighting sustainable food systems in mountains for the UN Food Systems Summit 2021
26.04.2021As a contribution to the discussion on sustainable food systems in mountains in the lead up to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, an info sheet has been developed by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and Theresa Tribaldos, Centre for Development and Environment. Mountain agriculture and food production sustain the livelihoods of... Download » |
Elevating Mountains in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework 2.0
13.03.2020With the Aichi Biodiversity Targets coming to an end in 2020, the world is preparing for a new set of ambitious biodiversity targets and goals to follow. This brief, prepared for the second Open-Ended Working Group meeting on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework in February 2020, highlights how mountains are... Download » |
Shaping the water-energy-food nexus for resilient mountain livelihoods
07.02.2020This new Issue Brief from the Center for Development and Environment explores whether a water-energy-food nexus approach offers a way to identify forward-looking options and policies to strengthen the livelihoods and resilience of people living in our changing mountains. The Issue Brief was funded by the Austrian Development Agency and... Download » |
Elevating Mountains in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
27.09.2019With the Aichi Biodiversity Targets coming to an end in 2020, the world is preparing for a new set of ambitious biodiversity targets and goals to follow. This brief, prepared ahead of the first Open-Ended Working Group meeting on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework in August 2019, highlights how mountains... Download » |
Leaving No One in Mountains Behind
05.11.2018The MRI and the Center for Development and Environment (CDE) present initial steps towards localization of the 2030 Agenda to mountain areas. To support this localization process, expert assessments were were conducted in Nepal, Uganda, Kyrgyzstan, Ecuador, and Switzerland based on the following questions: What SDG targets have a high priority in... Download » |
Dushanbe Forum of Mountain Countries - 2015: Water and Mountains
11.09.2015More than 120 representatives of organizations from across Central Asia and from around the world whose work is dedicated to the concerns of mountain societies and environments, gathered in Dushanbe for the first ever Forum of Mountain Countries taking place in Central Asia, to share perspectives and best practices on... Download » |
Mountains as the water towers of the world: A call for action on the sustainable development goals (SDGs)
31.03.2014Mountains as the water towers of the world: A call for action on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) Download » |
Mountains and the Sustainable Development Goals – a call to action
24.03.2014Mountains and the Sustainable Development Goals – a call to action Download in English, French, Spanish, Russian Download » |
Why Mountains Matter for Energy – a call to action on the sustainable development goals
24.03.2014Why Mountains Matter for Energy – a call to action on the sustainable development goals Download in Arabic, English, French, Russian, Spanish Download » |
Why Mountains Matter for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction – a call to action on the sustainable development goals
24.03.2014Why Mountains Matter for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction – a call to action on the sustainable development goals Download in English, French, Spanish Download » |
Why Mountains Matter for Forests and Biodiversity – a call to action on the sustainable development goals
24.03.2014Why Mountains Matter for Forests and Biodiversity – a call to action on the sustainable development goals Download in English, French, Spanish Download » |
Sustainable Mountain Development, Green Economy and Institutions: From Rio 1992 to Rio 2012 and beyond Global Report (2012) - Final Draft for Rio+20
01.10.2012In 1992, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development – commonly referred to as ‘Rio 1992’ or ‘the Rio Earth Summit’ – mountains received unexpected high political attention. They were granted a chapter in the ‘Agenda 21’ as fragile ecosystems that matter for humankind. In view of the UN Conference Rio+20 –... Download » |
Why the Alps matter
14.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
The Alps are a coherent mountain region covering 190,568 km2 across eight countries, with a population of 14 million. Their central location in western Europe gives them many important roles for the continent. The Alpine economy is based on a symbiosis of... Download » |
Why mountains of the Middle East and North Africa matter
14.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
Mountains of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are important for sustainable development in national, regional and global contexts. The goods and key ecosystem services provided by these mountains are vital for the sustainable development.... Download » |
Why the Central Asian mountains matter
13.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
The Central Asian mountains provide an astonishing array of essential ecosystem goods and services not only to mountain inhabitants but also to people in the lowlands and around the globe. These goods and services include forest products and land for food production;... Download » |
Why the Hindu Kush Himalaya matters
13.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
As the ‘water tower of Asia’, the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) mountains are the source of 10 major river systems and provide vital ecosystem goods and services to more than 1.4 billion people. The region includes four global biodiversity hotspots, 488 protected... Download » |
Why mountains of the Southeast Asia and Pacific region matter
13.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
Mountains of the Southeast Asia and Pacific (SEAP) region spread across mainland Asia and the island/archipelagic states in the Pacific Ocean. These countries host one of the world’s highest and most severely threatened biodiversity and gene pools. Many of the region’s indigenous... Download » |
Why mountains matter in global sustainable development
13.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
Mountains provide vital goods and services for the benefit of all humankind, for supporting sustainable development at a global level, and for moving the world towards a greener economy. But provision of these goods and services is at risk. The global... Download » |
Why mountains matter for North America
13.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
North America’s mountains are a primary source of fresh water. Other natural resources, such as coal and natural gas, are pillars of North American energy economies. The recreation and tourism industry – the lifeblood of many mountain communities – contributes significant revenues... Download » |
Why the Andes matter
13.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
The Andes, covering 33% of the area of the Andean countries, are vital for the livelihoods of the majority of the region’s population and the countries’ economies. However, increasing pressure, fuelled by growing population numbers, changes in land use, unsustainable exploitation of... Download » |
Why mountains matter for Meso America
12.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
Mountains in Meso America cover 25.2% of the region and hold a remarkable 12% of the world’s biodiversity on only about 2% of the earth’s land surface. A total of 86 indigenous ethnic groups occupy 54.2% of the mountain territories. The greatest... Download » |
Why Mountains Matter for Africa
12.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
African mountains are highly vulnerable water towers and breadbaskets for the lowlands. Mountain ecosystem services (ES) ensure water-food-energy security and biodiversity conservation and enable sustainable development and poverty eradication at the continent level. In the uncertainty created by climate change, high population... Download » |
Why mountains matter for Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe
12.06.2012Policy brief presented at Rio+20
The mountains of Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe have played a key social, economic and environmental role in the development of the nations and peoples that have resided there since time immemorial. Being both natural barriers and safe havens not only... Download » |
Sustainable Mountain Development in North America: from Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond
01.01.2012Regional report on sustainable mountain development in North America ahead of the Rio+20 summit in 2012.
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Sustainable Mountain Development in Central Asia: from Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond
01.01.2012Regional report on sustainable mountain development in Central Asia ahead of the Rio+20 summit.
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Sustainable Mountain Development in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe: from Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond
01.01.2012Regional report on sustainable mountain development in central, eastern and south eastern Europe ahead of the Rio+20 summit.
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Sustainable Mountain Development in Meso America: from Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond
01.01.2012Regional report on sustainable mountain development in Meso America ahead of the Rio+20 summit. Download » |
Sustainable Mountain Development in the Alps: from Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond
01.01.2012Regional report on sustainable mountain development in the Alps ahead of the Rio+20 summit. Download » |
Sustainable Mountain Development in the Andes: from Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond
01.01.2012Regional report on sustainable mountain development in the Andes ahead of the Rio+20 summit. Download » |
Sustainable Mountain Development in the Hindu-Kush Himalaya: from Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond
01.01.2012Regional report on sustainable mountain development in the Hindu Kush Himalaya ahead of the Rio+20 summit. Download » |
Sustainable Mountain Development in the Middle East and North Africa: from Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond
01.01.2012Regional report on sustainable mountain development in the Middle East and North Africa ahead of the Rio+20 summit. Download » |
From From Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond: 20 Years of Sustainable Mountain Development in Africa
01.01.2012Regional report on sustainable mountain development in Africa ahead of the Rio+20 summit. Download » |
Sustainable Mountain Development in Southeast Asia and Pacific: from Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond
01.12.2011Regional report on sustainable mountain development in Southeast Asia and Pacific ahead of the Rio+20 summit. Download » |
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