Strengthening mountain resilience: advancing Global Goal on Adaptation indicators

Background

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal, is organising a session titled ‘Strengthening mountain resilience: advancing Global Goal on Adaptation indicators’ on the sidelines of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Bodies 62 (SB62) in Bonn, Germany. The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), established under the Paris Agreement, aims to enhance global adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change. While it seeks to unify global adaptation efforts, challenges remain in defining measurable indicators due to the localised nature of adaptation and complex political dynamics. Progress through the Glasgow-Sharm-el Sheikh and UAE-Belém work programs has led to key milestones, including the COP28 adoption of a policy cycle and the Baku Adaptation Road Map (COP29), which aims to finalise 100 globally and nationally applicable indicators by COP30 in 2025.

Objectives

• Contextualise mountain resilience within the GGA by highlighting the specific vulnerabilities and adaptation needs of mountain ecosystems and communities under climate change.
• Demonstrate the relevance of mountain-specific adaptation actions within the framework of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and how they contribute to achieving the GGA.
• Critically examine existing and emerging adaptation indicators under the GGA framework and assess their applicability and sensitivity to mountain contexts.
• Showcase country and regional experiences in integrating mountain-specific indicators into NAP processes and tracking adaptation progress.
• Foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to align mountain resilience efforts with global adaptation tracking mechanisms, and to support the development of context-relevant indicators for NAPs and the GGA.

Integrating mountains into the GGA

The GGA presents a critical opportunity to embed mountain-specific needs into global adaptation strategies. For the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), this means developing context-sensitive and measurable indicators that recognise the region’s unique vulnerabilities and cross-border challenges. Effective adaptation of GGA in the HKH requires integrated policies, sustainable resource management, and international cooperation, underpinned by climate finance and inclusive planning that prioritises mountain communities.

By operationalising the GGA with tailored indicators, the resilience of the HKH and other mountain regions can be strengthened, ensuring no one is left behind in the global adaptation effort.

As an Observer to the UNFCCC, ICIMOD collaborates with its Regional Member Countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, to keep mountain climate challenges high on the agenda. Our participation strengthens global recognition of mountains and their vulnerability to climate change while advocating for increased investment and actions at all governance levels.