The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), FutureWater and Statkraft convene a session on Mountains, glaciers, and hydropower in a changing climate at the World Water Week, organized in Stockholm 28 August – 2 September. This session will highlight the role of mountains in providing water, food, and energy for sustainable growth using examples from the Himalayas, the Alps, and the Andes.

Mountains are the water towers that provide food, energy, and ecosystem services to over 1.3 billion people living downstream. However, climate change coupled with socioeconomic changes have put unprecedented pressure on these water resources.

First, recent scientific evidence on climate change and its impacts on glaciers and rivers is highlighted. Historical records show that a majority of glaciers worldwide are retreating, except for the Karakoram region where some glaciers are reported to be advancing. Recent studies have shown high variability in glacier mass loss depending on location. Findings will be presented from the Himalayas, the Alps and the Andes.

The second objective of the seminar is to look at climate change impacts on the hydropower sector. The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region has a hydropower potential of around 500 GW. Focus will be on prospects and challenges of sustainable hydropower development from the perspective of mountain communities using concrete examples of successful benefit sharing mechanisms.

The session also includes a panel discussion with panellists representing the Nepal Water Conservation Foundation, Statkraft, and the World Bank.

The session takes place on Thursday, 1 September 2016, 11:00 – 12:30, Room FH Congress Hall A. For a detailed programme of the session please download the flyer.