Polar and Climate
The polar and high mountains are the planet’s barometers, telling us a great deal about the present and future effects of climate change.
GRID-Arendal experts participated in the first meeting of the Open-ended Scientific Committee for the 2022 International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development. Different activities across GRID-Arendal’s Polar and Climate programme directly support sustainable development in mountain regions, and reaching the goals of the IYM 2022.
The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development. (IYM 2022). The Resolution, which was adopted in late 2021 and sponsored by the mountain country of Kyrgyzstan, highlights why mountains deserve international attention:
Acknowledging that, despite the progress that has been made in promoting the sustainable development of mountain regions and the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, the prevalence of poverty, food insecurity, social exclusion, environmental degradation and exposure to the risk of disasters is still increasing, particularly in developing countries, and access to safe and affordable drinking water and basic sanitation as well as to sustainable modern energy services continues to be limited,
The resolution invites all governments, the UN, international and regional organizations, civil society, the private sector and academia to increase awareness of the importance of sustainable mountain development and the conservation and sustainable use of mountain ecosystems.
Tina Schoolmeester, Head of Polar and Climate programme at GRID-Arendal: 'We are excited to continue our work identifying, communicating and promoting uptake of sustainable and resilient adaptation solutions for communities in vulnerable mountain regions. The International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development is a great opportunity for us to strengthen existing initiatives and build new partnerships.'
GRID-Arendal looks forward to taking part in this important development, through our work on waste management in mountain regions and on resilient livelihoods in the Himalayas, and through new initiatives and collaborations.
Photo: Landscape in Nepal. Rob Barnes/GRID-Arendal.
Release date: 14 Feb 2022