8:30 Cryosphere Coordination Meeting
Daily coordination meetings and negotiations updates will be held every morning the Cryosphere Pavilion.
Contact: Stefan Ruchti (stefan@iccinet.org) or Pam Pearson (pam@iccinet.org)

10:00 Melting ICE, Rising Risks: The Changing Cryosphere in the Hindu Kush Himalaya
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) is one of the largest ice reserves outside the polar regions, and it is melting at an alarming rate. From 2010 to 2019, glacier melting accelerated by 65% compared to the previous decade. Under high-emission scenarios, up to 80% of glaciers could disappear by the end of 21st century. This enhances the risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), debris flows, and river flooding, that will continue to threaten lives, infrastructure, and agriculture. The session brings together experts from the regional member countries of ICIMOD to discuss the urgent need for a joined and integrated approach to address these rising challenges.
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

11:30 Living with a Changing Cryosphere: Urgent Need for Anticipatory Adaptation
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region is experiencing rapid changes in cryosphere impacting local livelihoods, ecosystems, and water resources. Many adaptation strategies focus on addressing immediate impacts, but climate projections emphasize the need for proactive anticipatory measures and actions. These anticipatory actions involve planning for future changes and uncertainties and call for adaptive governance that can accommodate emerging climate realities. While global climate science and our capability for long-term projections have advanced, effective adaptation demands a better understanding of impacts on livelihoods and economies across various scales.
ICIMOD, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

13:00 Financing For Mountain Communities: Leave No One Behind
Nepal faces huge impacts from climate change. The impact is disproportional because mountains warm faster than other areas due to their high elevation, with the most marginalized mountain communities hit the hardest by extreme events. The Government of Nepal is gearing up to prepare it’s third NDC. With an Implementation Plan of around 33 billion USD, financing for mountain communities is of utmost priority both for mitigation and adaptation perspectives. Nepal’s Adaptation Plan also involves a total of around $47 billion USD to address the impacts of extreme events. Loss and damage in mountain areas is irreversible with a vast intangible cultural heritage with other physical infrastructure and requires huge investment due to its terrain and geographic remoteness. This side event will explore the possible funding windows, challenges and opportunities through a session with all relevant stakeholders from development partners, donors, government agencies and LCCIPs.
Government of Nepal, ICIMOD, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

14:30 Bridging Communication Gaps in Arctic Collaboration & Research
Speakers will explore the communication barriers and challenges across different disciplines, sectors, and cultural contexts in Arctic research and governance. This segment will encourage a deeper understanding of the communication barriers identified by the panelists and spark ideas for potential solutions. APECS aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the key communication barriers in Arctic collaboration.
Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS)

16:00 The Values Behind the Climate Crisis – An Interfaith Approach
The climate crisis, and features such as glaciers are deeply rooted in our value systems and how we interact with Mother Earth. Faith traditions have played their part in the ongoing destruction of our eco systems. However, they also hold the potential to inspire transformative solutions and foster a new mindset that addresses the climate crisis. This event aims to spark a dialogue about how faith traditions can contribute to a sustainable and just future and feasible Pathways to 1.5°C Emissions Reductions.
Brahma Kumaris

18:00 From Global Glacier Monitoring to the Global Glacier Casualty List
Hybrid event with virtual input presentations from the World Glacier Monitoring Service and from the Global Glacier Casualty List project, with a glaciologist on site to follow up the discussion with participants. The event will also feature a pre-recorded video presentation highlighting the past, present, and future of Iceland’s glaciers.
World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), Carnegie Mellon University, Rice University, Icelandic Meteorological Office

19:30 Meditation for Snow – A Moment of Stillness in a World of Climate Change
The event will take place multiple evenings this week. A full description can be found on the schedule under Monday Nov. 18.
Guided by meditation teachers from the Brahma Kumaris