A@A Knowledge Network: How can innovative solutions help close the adaptation gap in mountain regions?

Summary

This International Mountain Day, the Adaptation at Altitude Knowledge Network is delighted to host a series of speed talks and an interactive exchange on how innovative solutions are attempting to close the adaptation gap in mountain regions. From novel technologies to community-led approaches, learn about the ways in which innovation can manifest in adaptation efforts and why embracing innovation is often crucial in keeping up with the pace of climate change.

Are you a researcher, practitioner, or policy maker interested in climate adaptation in mountain regions? Join us this International Mountain Day 2024 to connect, exchange, and learn from diverse experiences and innovative solutions across mountain regions worldwide!

Background

Mountains cover one quarter of the Earth’s land surface and host more than 1 billion people, along with 25% of terrestrial biodiversity and 60% of the world’s biosphere reserves. Mountains also provide freshwater to more than half of the global population, as well as essential ecosystem services.

Mountains display some of the most visible signs of climate change, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to build resilient mountain communities. New technologies and creative approaches can enhance stakeholder engagement, support policy and decision-making, and enable effective early warning systems for natural hazards, as well as sustainable water management practices.

The theme of this year’s International Mountain Day is “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth.” Raising awareness about innovative solutions in mountain areas is key to ensuring mountainous countries around the world properly respond to the risks associated with climate change. This event will showcase some of these solutions and open the floor for discussion on how these practices can be applied to different areas.

Agenda + Speakers

A short welcome and introduction will be followed by presentations and discussions from the following participants:

• ‘Managing forests for climate resilience in Nepal’ – Dr. Upama Ashish Koju. Upama is a Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Analyst at ICIMOD, specializing in applying geospatial technologies for climate resilience and ecosystem management in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.
• ‘Analysis of the Machangara river sub-basin under the landscape approach as an adaptive management strategy for water resources and climate change’ – Verónica Quitigüiña. Verónica is a biologist form Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, a nature lover, passionate about the conservation of biodiversity, the management of natural resources, sustainable development and climate change. With more than 20 years in management and leadership in public and private projects, seeking that integrated landscape management allows improving the quality of life of rural and urban communities in the long term. She currently coordinates the SEAP Parques para la Vida project executed by CONDESAN.
• ‘Rehabilitating irrigation systems in Gajimarda, Azerbaijan’ – Fuad Bagirov. Fuad is the Chairman Green Building Council Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Country Representative of the Scientific Network for the Caucasus Mountain Region. Fuad has been an expert in international project programming, management and evaluation as well as in specialized areas such as green economy, sustainable development, etc. involved in various projects funded by the European Union, ADB, EBRD, UNDP, and the World Bank.

About the A@A Knowledge Network

The Adaptation at Altitude programme, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), seeks to support mountain communities and those working with them by improving the knowledge of appropriate climate change adaptation strategies in the mountains, and transferring that knowledge through science–policy platforms to inform decision-making in national, regional and global policy processes.

The Adaptation at Altitude (A@A) Knowledge Network is a global community through which we can share experiences and knowledge on adaptation in the mountains and collaborate to accelerate the uptake of innovative solutions. Want to keep informed about our upcoming meetings and events? Find more information and details on how to get involved on our A@A Knowledge Network homepage.