Parallel Session 4.2: Adaptation in mountain systems (ICIMOD, UNU)

Introduction

Worldwide mountain regions cover approximately 24 percent of the earth’s surface carrying about 13 percent of the world’s population in 120 countries. In other words, more than 900 million people live in mountainous regions, which are considered the most sensitive regions regarding global warming and the worldwide observed intensifying climate variability. It is very likely that climate change has particularly fast and direct consequences on the frequency and intensity of natural hazards occurring in these regions. Article 4.8 of the UNFCCC recognizes that fragile mountain ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in developing countries, and that such vulnerability must be recognized for all mountainous areas worldwide, without prejudice to the common but differentiated responsibilities and the respective capabilities principle, as enshrined by article 3 of the UNFCCC (Mountain Partnership 2015).

Against this background this session will focus on specific issues regarding climate change adaptation planning and implementation within mountain countries based on solid experiences from the Hindu Kush Himalaya and other regions of global relevance (Africa, South America). This comparative approach will also provide an opportunity for the different regions to learn from each other. In addition, the session will address the entire adaptation cycle from assessment to plans, implementation and evaluation of progress with special reference to the global UN conventions and frameworks such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the SDGs, and the framework for Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).

Objectives

  • To foster an interactive forum on NAPs for mountain countries to share experience, best practices and lessons learned, including discussions on how to advance the acceleration of progress towards successful formulation of NAPs, and their effective implementation within mountain countries;
  • To capture and map specific challenges faced in formulating appropriate NAP in the global mountain context: shortage of adequate data/information, lack of accessibility and outreach, difficult economies etc.;
  • To explore the scope of adequate and sustainable solutions to successfully overcome these challenges.

Expected outcome

At the end of the session, participants will have gained an understanding of:

  • How a mechanism for sharing/learning among mountain countries could emerge to effectively represent and address mountain systems and issues in the formulation and implementation of NAPs and their effective implementation;
  • How to explore the establishment of a ‘Global Mountain Alliance’, based on existing international structures such the Mountain Partnership, the Mountain Research Initiative, ICIMOD, GLOMOS, and other regional programmes, to emphatically raise the ‘mountain voice’ at global for as for (a) pressing for global commitments to ensure the 1.5°C target, and (b) to advocate for increased climate financing for mountains.

Draft agenda

The entire session (90 min) will combine keynote presentation with a high-level panel discussion and an interactive workshop component as following:

  • Intro moderation by Joerg Szarzynski (3 min)
  • Introductory presentations
  • High Level Panel
  • Interactive workshop: focus on two main levels/questions (45 min)
    • At the national level: What are the challenges in formulating country-specific questions? What information/data is missing (gap identification)?
    • At the global level: What additional mechanisms can be established/suggested, incorporating different thematic sectors, to foster horizontal and vertical knowledge transfer and dissemination as well as peer learning processes between mountain countries at the global level?
  • Final wrap-up (5 min).

Speakers / panelists (speaker order):

 

 

Sectoral issues
Location: Room 205 Date: April 10, 2019 Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm