Cascading climate risks and adaptation measures in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: Making a case for enhanced regional cooperation

Summary

The meeting is part of a series of expert consultations with a select group of experts in transboundary climate risks, adaptation professionals with regional knowledge and expertise, together with policy makers and government officials from the Hindu Kush Himalaya.

About the consultation:

Although an increasing number of countries, regional bodies, international organisations, and other constituency groups are starting to recognise cascading climate impacts, they are often unable to assess, track or appraise policy options to better manage and govern the resulting risks. ICIMOD with Adaptation Without Borders (AWB) is jointly organising this consultation to promote a common understanding of cascading climate risks in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, identify relevant research and existing national policies that account for such risks, and explore potential cooperation and collaboration on adaptation measures.

The consultation will explore the following questions:

• What knowledge has already been produced on regional cooperation in the HKH and/or on the cascading nature of climate risk in the region?
• What lessons have been learned from previous efforts and processes to bring the eight Regional Member Countries (RMCs) together to cooperate on transboundary issues?
• To what extent has climate change adaptation featured in previous regional cooperation processes?
• What are the key influencing moments leading towards the 2023 HKH Ministerial Mountain Summit?

Objectives:

• Engage and convene key stakeholders of ICIMOD’s RMCs to discuss cascading climate risks and cooperation on adaptation in recognition of the shared and common risks faced
• Discuss the barriers and opportunities of enhanced regional cooperation on climate change adaptation to manage such cascading climate impacts

Background:

The impacts and implications of climate change are not confined by national borders. They affect international trade and supply chains, capital flows, human mobility, as well as natural resources shared regionally and globally between countries. Likewise, actions to adapt to the impacts of climate change can have effects far beyond the jurisdiction of implementing governments. The consequences of climate change, and the measures governments take to respond to them, may be viewed as sub-national and national policy issues, but they also transcend national boundaries and require collaborative remedial action. Yet, current response measures, adaptation plans and strategies usually fail to account for such dynamics.

Agenda:

Visit the ICIMOD website for an updated agenda.

Registration details:

Attendance is by invitation only. Should you wish to participate, kindly submit your interest as soon as possible via this form.