Objectives

• Bring together solution innovators and solution users to showcase the science and innovation of resilient solutions they have adopted for addressing socio-economic and environmental challenges
• Learn from experts, investors, and decision-makers on how the solutions can be scaled in the HKH
• Deliberate on issues and solutions for promoting green mountain economy in the HKH

Expected outcome

• Shared understanding of solutions with policy, capacity, finance, partnership and GESI recommendations, and scaling potential
• Adaptation solutions portal promoted and updated with scalable solutions and innovations
• Short explainer videos of selected innovative solutions contributing to green mountain economy

Background

Climate change presents serious challenges for the HKH region. The HKH is the pulse of the planet – what happens here affects the livelihoods of nearly two billion people, or one-fourth of humanity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to support transformative action – at scale and speed – to build the resilience of mountain communities in the HKH.

Mountain regions in the HKH have a huge potential for innovation in technology, processes, and functions to promote green economy. Although the HKH region hosts a variety of solutions, they are mostly scattered, poorly promoted and/or confined to particular geographies, and mostly implemented as standalone solutions. The challenge is not only to design and test customised solutions but also to out/upscale solutions, which are successfully piloted in small clusters. Therefore, for the wider uptake and adoption of resilient solutions, more investment is required in research, technology development, and innovation for transitioning to green economy. Given the current pace of climate change, there is a need to focus on promoting proven and actionable solutions that are economically viable and socially inclusive, for enhancing the resilience of mountain communities.

ICIMOD

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre working on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). We are based in Kathmandu, Nepal, and work in and for our eight regional member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. We work to improve the lives and livelihoods of men, women, and children of the HKH and protect mountain environments and cultures. The knowledge we create, and share helps the people of the HKH become more resilient, make the most of new opportunities, and prepare for change. Our work strengthens regional cooperation for conservation and sustainable mountain development.

Ministry of Forest and Environment, Government of Nepal

The Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE) is a governmental entity of Nepal responsible for the conservation and management of forests and the environment in the country. Its main purposes are to enhance sustainable growth of forest and water sector and to manage biodiversity. MoFE also looks after the promotion and development of forest-related industries to alleviate poverty in the rural areas of Nepal.

GRAPE

GRAPE is jointly planned and financed by the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).