The latest Mountain Outlook report issued by UNEP and partners calls for a regional approach in dealing with climate change in Andean mountains and underlines the need to involve traditional knowledge and women.

By the end of this century, the coldest years in the Tropical Andes Mountains will be warmer than the warmest years to which humans and other species have adapted so far, states the report, which was launched on 28 April at a meeting of mountain and adaptation experts from all Andean countries – Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

At the event, government experts developed an Andean strategic agenda for climate change adaptation in the mountains. Mountains are generally under-prioritised despite being disproportionally threatened by climate change while providing essential services, including the creation and regulation of rivers and harbouring vast biodiversity.

The Tropical Andes in particular is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots most threatened by climate change, while Andean countries share many of the same challenges in adaptation. The Outlook therefore examines the impact of climate change on natural and human systems such as food, water and health. It then assesses existing adaptation policies and the role of stakeholders before asking whether the measures are sufficiently forward-looking and making recommendations.

The Tropical Andes Outlook was produced by UNEP-Vienna, GRID-Arendal and the Consortium for Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion. Efforts to support Andean countries in enhancing regional cooperation are part of a global UNEP project co-financed by the Government of Austria to support developing mountain areas.

Other Outlooks for the South Caucasus and Western Balkans have already been launched, while more for regions such as the Hindu Kush Himalaya’s, East Africa and Central Asia are in development.

All the reports apply the same methodology, thereby facilitating an interregional exchange of experiences and global cooperation for sustainable mountain development.

To read the Tropical Andes Outlook please click here. For more information please write to matthias.jurek@unvienna.org