After four years of tireless efforts and transboundary collaboration, the first phase of the Adaptation at Altitude program concludes with notable progress in fighting climate change across the Andes, East Africa, Hindu Kush Himalayas, Caucasus, and Central Asia.  In the Andes, the project is implemented by the Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion (CONDESAN) and supported by International Cooperation – SDC.

Thanks to its comprehensive, transdisciplinary, and multi-level approach during its first phase (2020-2023), the Adaptation at Altitude program has established itself as a reference point in the Andes. This program has effectively addressed climate change challenges and promoted sustainable development in four critical mountain regions: the Southern Caucasus, the Himalayas, East Africa, and the Andes. It has made important progress in generating and disseminating knowledge, strengthening socio-ecological monitoring platforms, and developing spaces for dialogue between science and politics.

“The transition to the second phase, which began in January 2024, focuses on consolidating these achievements, promoting sustainability, and expanding our reach and impact,” says Luis Daniel Llambí, program coordinator in the Andes. This new chapter will focus on deepening the work done, ensuring lasting impact on mountain communities and ecosystems in the face of future climate challenges.

For a detailed overview of achievements, two infographics are available. One highlights key advances such as the systematization of adaptation solutions in Andean productive systems, the creation of the Socio-Environmental Indicators Platform, and the strengthening of the Andean Mountain Initiative. These efforts have led to over 30 regional publications, training for more than 3000 individuals through regional dialogues, courses, and workshops, and increased participation in global events, demonstrating a commitment to climate adaptation and sustainable development in mountain regions.

The second infographic (in English) presents achievements reached during the first 4 years, highlighting significant impact figures, such as: the generation of 100 fact sheets on mountains, over 51,000 stations and locations cataloged in the GEO Mountains Inventory, and the publication of 5 articles. Additionally, a list of 642 datasets has been compiled in the GEO Mountains General Inventory, demonstrating commitment to improving monitoring and knowledge dissemination on climate change adaptation in mountain regions.

Source: CONDESAN

Useful links:
Web Adaptation at Altitude
FS Adaptation at Altitude (sp)
Web Andean Mountain Initiative
Article “Adaptation at Altitude: 4 years of collaborative action in the mountains – synthesis scroll”