New Mountain Adaptation Outlooks launched at COP 21

During the celebration of the International Mountain Day at Paris, 11 December, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) concludes a series of Mountain Adaptation Outlooks. By promoting policies in favour of ecosystem-based adaptation in mountain regions, countries could build resilience and reduce the vulnerability of communities living in these high-altitude areas as well as that of millions of others living downstream. A call to speed-up and strengthen these efforts came at a roundtable hosted by the Government of Peru and co-organised by UNEP and GRID-Arendal as well as other partners at COP 21 in Paris, where the new reports were launched. Leaders committed to try and ensure mountains and climate change adaptation become a priority issue at the inter-regional, regional and national level. They also committed to make better use of existing technical assistance mechanisms such as the Climate Technology Centre & Network and financial ones such as the Green Climate Fund and support greater knowledge-sharing. “Mountain ecosystems enrich the lives of over half of the world’s population as a source of water, energy, agriculture and other essential goods and services. Unfortunately, while the impact of climate change is accentuated at high altitude, such regions are often on the edge of decision-making, partly due to their isolation, inaccessibility and relative poverty” said UNEP’s Executive Director Achim Steiner. The studies provide concrete examples of the threats posed by climate change to mountains and recommend policy solutions. The analysis concludes that a stronger policy focus on adaptation in mountains is necessary to address key climate risks. Sustainable development in a changing climate requires policy makers to take a long-term perspective and protect the essential services provided by mountains and their inhabitants. Ministers and other high level leaders from various mountain countries around the globe including Austria, Bhutan, Czech Republic, East Africa, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Peru, Serbia, Switzerland and Uganda attended today’s event, titled ‘International Mountain Day – celebrating international cooperation on climate change adaptation in mountain environments’. These outlook series were produced by UNEP in collaboration with GRID-Arendal and mountain centres of excellence within the context of UNEP’s inter-regional project titled ‘Climate change action in developing countries with fragile mountainous ecosystems. The outlooks focus on climate change adaptation responses in mountain regions from a policy angle. The Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) - lead the Sustainable Mountain Development for Global Change, Africa Programme- welcomes the efforts and partnership of UNEP in promoting Sustainable Mountain Development in Africa.