Regional research consortium on black carbon impact assessment in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region

About the meeting

We are organising a launch meeting to mark the formal establishment of the regional research consortium on black carbon (BC) impact assessment in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. The meeting aims to officially constitute the consortium and initiate its collaborative work. It will serve as an introductory platform for consortium partners to engage with one another, discuss the structure and operational framework of the consortium, and outline its strategic direction.

This event is part of Action Area: Air, under the Strategic Group: Climate and Environmental Risks. It is delivered through the Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP), supported by the United Kingdom International Development.

Objectives of the meeting

The specific objectives of the meeting are to:

• Facilitate an in-person introduction and engagement among consortium partners.
• Discuss black carbon–related environmental and climatic challenges in the HKH region and elevate awareness of the urgency for regional-scale assessment and coordinated action.
• Review the current status of BC science, monitoring, and impact assessment, and identify major challenges and knowledge gaps hindering comprehensive regional evaluation.
• Finalise the consortium’s structure, approve the platform document, and define the initial work plan.
• Agree on the way forward for the consortium, including its structure, operational mechanisms, and functional modalities for regional impact assessment.

Background

The key objectives of the meeting include developing a roadmap and methodological framework for BC impact assessment and formalising the consortium’s platform document. The consortium will address major challenges and gaps in BC impact assessment, including critical knowledge and data deficiencies. By harmonising expertise, data, and methodologies across the region, the consortium seeks to enable a comprehensive assessment of BC impacts on glacier melt and human health in the HKH region. The ultimate goal is to support evidence-based policymaking for broader regional benefits. This one-day launch meeting is designed to collaboratively develop the consortium’s roadmap with participation from knowledge and policy stakeholders across the region. ICIMOD will serve as the coordinating partner.