Press Releases
Landmark study: Two-degree temperature rise could melt half of glaciers in Hindu Kush Himalaya region, destabilizing Asia’s rivers
04 Feb 2019
A comprehensive new study of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, known as the world’s “Third Pole” for its vast store of ice, and home to Mount Everest, K2 and other soaring peaks, finds that even the most ambitious Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century would lead to a 2.1 spike in temperatures and the melting of one-third of the region’s glaciers, a critical water source to some 250 million mountain dwellers and the 1.65 billion others living in the river valleys below.
READ MOREStrengthening Climate Services in South Asia
02 Feb 2019
South Asia is highly vulnerable to weather and climate impact such as flooding, droughts and cyclones. In the past two decades, over 50 % of South Asians, more than 750 million people have been affected by at least one natural disaster. Vulnerability to both extreme weather events, such as flooding and slow-onset hazards, such as drought, is expected to increase due to both growing populations in vulnerable areas and climate change.
READ MORERising from ruins: the making of a resilient mountain village
18 Dec 2018
When the 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on 25 April 2015, Dhungentar (formerly Charghare VDC) in Nuwakot District suffered a major blow. Out of the 96 homes, only one remained standing. It was a miracle that no lives were lost, but there were significant losses in terms of livestock, agriculture, and livelihoods.
READ MORETackling human-wildlife conflict and wildlife crime in a shared transboundary landscape
13 Dec 2018
Recognizing the transboundary nature of these challenges, government, research institutions, and civil society representatives of Bhutan, India, and Nepal, who share this landscape, have come together to outline a strategic regional roadmap for cooperation in consonance with each Nation’s priority for conservation and enhancing livelihoods of its citizens.
READ MOREKoshi DRR knowledge hub to strengthen transboundary collaboration
12 Dec 2018
The Koshi basin shared by China, India and Nepal, is characterized by numerous natural disasters putting at risk its 40 million inhabitants. An inception workshop on disaster risk reduction (DRR) at ICIMOD in Kathmandu looks to increase resilience of these communities through the formation of a DRR focused knowledge hub.
READ MOREResonating Call for a Mountain Alliance for the Hindu Kush Himalaya
16 Nov 2018
The warnings were dire but the response was heartening. Government representatives, policymakers and scientists from the eight Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) countries have responded to the findings of the first comprehensive Hindu-Kush Himalaya Assessment Report (to be released on 11 December) by committing to greater regional cooperation to tackle climate change and the risks it poses to mountain environments and people.
READ MORESynergizing efforts to move forward a sustainable energy agenda
13 Nov 2018
A centre of excellence on Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) was launched today at ICIMOD to improve access to modern, affordable and reliable energy services in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. The centre, called Regional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Capability for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (REEECH), aims to deliver innovative and sustainable energy solutions in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation to meet the social and economic development needs of mountain populations.
READ MORERegional Drought Forum Calls for Cooperation in Sharing Information on Natural Hazards
10 Oct 2018
Addressing food insecurity resulting from changes in agricultural productivity and an upsurge in demand is a major concern. As the climate continues to change, agricultural productivity across nations will likely suffer, with changes in rainfall patterns and intensity affecting agricultural production, especially in marginal rain-fed areas. This scenario demands a dramatic increase in timely and accurate information on climate and crop conditions. Earth observation technologies and climate services are effective means to generate and share such information.
READ MOREPolicies in place, but more needs to be done
05 Sep 2018
The summit on the theme ‘Equality begins with Economic Empowerment’ brought together international experts and delegates from over 27 countries, including delegates from the UK, USA, The People’s Republic of China, SAARC, ASEAN, EU, Africa, and Arab countries, with the aim of promoting business partnership among Nepalese and international women entrepreneurs.
READ MORENational-level Orientation on Climate Resilient Villages for Local Governments
31 Aug 2018
A three-day national-level orientation for local governments on “Climate Resilient Villages in Nepal” held in Kathmandu and Kavre 29-31 August ended today. Executive officers of local governments were oriented to the concept of the Climate Resilient Village (CRV), potential solutions and good practices for replication, and ways to operationalize the CRV approach in a gender and socially inclusive manner.
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