Mountains of the world – Ecosystem services in a time of global and climate change

This report provides background information and a framework for discussing mountain issues in the context of the current climate change dialogue. It synthesizes the state of current knowledge and provides an overview of the evolution and status of the global Mountain Agenda from the time it was agreed upon during the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes. It also critically assesses the past and current global commitments on sustainable mountain development and helps provide a new direction and framework to push the Mountain Agenda forward in the context of global climate and other changes.

The paper will be discussed at the International Expert Consultation organised jointly by the Ministry of Environment and ICIMOD to facilitate and provide support to the International Ministerial Conference of Mountain Countries on Climate Change. The paper is intended to serve as a framework and basis for the concerned stakeholders, civil society organisations, researchers, development partners, policy and decision-makers and international agencies working on issues related to climate change in mountain regions. The paper will be useful in other international debates including the upcoming Rio +20 dialogue.