Melting of mountain glaciers has major downstream impacts.  Climate change induced melting has resulted in  disruptive consequences to downstream ecosystems, infrastructure and livelihoods, affecting seasonality of water availability or triggering floods.  As a result, these regions, islands and coastal areas are today among the most vulnerable communities across the globe. Despite their geographic differences, they face existential threats from rising global temperatures–glacier melt as a cause, floods, disruptions and sea level rise as a result. This connection underscores the urgency of collaborative global and regional action.

Climate Change transcends geopolitical boundaries. Changes in one region’s ecosystems can trigger cascading effects elsewhere. For instance, tropical cyclones can trigger a chain of interconnected events, including severe storms in mountain regions. As global temperatures continue to rise, such climate extremes are expected to become more frequent and intense.

Despite efforts at the global level to limit the average temperature rise as prescribed by the Paris Agreement, it falls far short of ambition in the context of mountains. Scientists warn that even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C, the Hindu Kush Himalaya region is projected to lose one-third of its glaciers by 2100. This accelerated loss will continue to contribute to rising sea levels, further endangering low-lying island countries already facing submerging stormsurges, and freshwater contamination. This is shown by recent studies which estimate that between 2000 and 2023, global glacier mass loss accounted for 21% of observed sea level rise, with approximately 6,542 ± 387 Gt of ice lost.

Addressing these interconnected challenges requires a united call for global climate action among highland, coastal and island nations to limit warming, enhance adaptation, address loss and damage, and secure funding for resilience-building. Strengthening these collaborations can amplify their voices in climate change negotiations, ensuring that their shared vulnerabilities are reflected in global policies and financial mechanisms. To foster stronger linkages and solutions, it is essential to promote joint research on the connections between glacier melt, sea level rise, and their socio-economic impacts. Enhanced cooperation for increased climate finance, loss and damage mechanisms, and investments in adaptation measures are critical for supporting highland and island communities.

It is important to highlight that the mountain communities and island communities are highly vulnerable to both climate change and other external shocks. Building resilience of the most vulnerable people in these countries through special measures and mechanisms has to be an important part of the global efforts.

Additionally, fostering exchange programmes and sharing best practices on disaster response, resilience, and sustainability can enhance their collective ability to tackle climate challenges.

Objectives:

1. Emphasize the urgency of limiting global temperature rise, particularly by reducing emissions to prevent catastrophic impacts on both highland and island communities.
2. Develop common understanding between upstream and downstream communities, develop a regional approach to take joint climate actions, both at mountain and coastal ecosystems vis-à-vis communities, and strengthen collaboration and advocacy at the global level for urgent climate action
3. Explore joint adaptation and resilience strategies, along with financial and policy pathways, to support both mountain and island communities.