Outlook on climate change adaptation in the Tropical Andes mountains

Land policy analyses In Bolivia , Law 300 states that the Plurinational Authority of Mother Earth is responsible for implementing a Joint Mitigation and Adaptation Mechanism for the integrated and sustainable management of the forest and Mother Earth. This mechanism aims to conserve, protect and restore biodiversity and ecological functions by facilitating optimal land use. These uses would be part of sustainable production systems, and include agricultural and forestry practices for reducing deforestation and forest degradation as part of mitigation and adaptation strategies (Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional de Bolivia, 2012). Land, however, is only referred to in the mechanism as it relates to production or other important resources (e.g. forests). This perspective overlooks the importance of soils for responding to climate change, and indicates a potential gap for action. However, this may be solved by the programme Sustainable Management and Use of the Land. This programme is part of the Patriotic Agenda’s strategy, Agrarian and productive development. Additionally, there is a specific objective to support communitarian economic entrepreneurs who favour food sovereignty and security (Ministerio de Autonomías, 2013). Colombia has a National Policy for the Integrated Environmental Management of Land (GIAS), which is governed by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS). This policy prioritizes sustainable agriculture and forest management, which may be considered an adaptation measure. It may also contribute to mitigation through carbon sequestration. The main goal of this policy is disaster risk reduction (Ministerio de Salud y Proteccion Social, 2012). The policy includes a sustainability principle, with one of its key elements being climate change resilience.

The Impact of Glacier Retreat in the Andes: International Multidisciplinary Network for Adaptation Strategies CASE STUDY

showing current gaps. The last paper documented ‘Climate Change Adaptation local practices in the Andean Region’. Complementary to this effort, a regional assessment of the vulnerability of Andean natural resources (water and environmental resources) to glacier melt was finalized. This has led to the identification of areas with higher vulnerability to glacier retreat, and areas for follow-up activities to develop adaptation strategies. A website was created to present these outcomes (http://unesco. envisim.com/) and a final document is being created for public diffusion, in collaboration with GRID-Arendal. A scientific paper has also been submitted for peer review titled “Tracing the white water: Tropical glacier melt contribution to human water use” (Buytaert et al., forthcoming). Based on the capacity building realized as part of the project, and in collaboration with the project partners and the Andean Climate Change Interamerican Observatory Network project (ACCION) in particular, a manual for analysing glacier mass balance is under development and will be released in 2015. it will coordinate with initiatives led by the General Directorate of Climate Change, Desertification and Water Resources on mountains and climate change. Another potential partner is the Working Group on Mountain Ecosystems, which was recently created within theNational Commission of Biological Diversity.

The Hydrology Programme (IHP) project “The Impact of Glacier Retreat in the Andes: International Multidisciplinary Network for Adaptation Strategies” aims to identify the vulnerability of glaciers to climate change, as well as to facilitate adaptation policies targeting glacial melting. To identify these policies, a set of regional activities were organized since 2012, strengthening the science-policy dialogue in the Andean Region. Four background papers were developed to identify the current gaps and opportunities related to climate change effects on water resources and adaptation potential. The papers were later transformed into policy briefs to inform decision makers. The first policy brief dealt with ‘Mapping of vulnerability of water resources to global changes in the Andean Region’ and focused on the physical environment. The second brief was entitled ‘Policy needs for adaptation strategies in water resources management’, and addressed current policies in different countries to identify gaps to meet future conditions . The third paper dealt with ‘Education and curriculum needs’ on water resources, and snow and glacier issues, Peru recently established the National Institute for Research on Glaciers and Mountain Ecosystems (INAIGEM). 37 This institute is responsible for generating and consolidating scientific knowledge on climate change to improve conservation and resource use in glaciers and mountain areas. It is expected that UNESCO International

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