Abstract ID: 3.14128 | Accepted as Talk | Poster | TBA | TBA

In order to design appropriate, locally-relevant climate change adaptation solutions across the world’s diverse mountain regions, a rich catalogue of accessible and high-quality data would ideally be available. These data should include both historical observations from both in situ stations and satellite remote sensing, as well as future climate and climate impact projections, and should correspond to all relevant biophysical and socio-economic system components (e.g. cryosphere, biosphere, etc) in a given region. However, data collection and compilation efforts in mountain globally often encounter challenges. In this context, GEO Mountains, a Flagship Activity of the MRI and co-led by CNR (Italy), seeks to enhance the discoverability, availability, and use of mountain data for multiple applications, including – given our involvement in the Adaptation at Altitude Programme – the design and adaptation measures. Here we present an overview of various GEO Mountains’ activities and products, including data inventories, outcomes of past regional workshops in multiple regions (the Andes, East Africa, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Hindu Kush Himalaya) regarding data and information, and the 20 data-related projects that have been supported through our “Small Grants” programme, several of which represent contributions to the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025. In addition, we present progress on a project to develop a supplement to the Technical Guidelines of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) on the topic of “Earth Observations for Mountains” (EO4Mountains). All activities of GEO Mountains are underpinned by a strong commitment to Open Data and Open Science, as well as collaboration with many partner organisations. In conclusion, we encourage users of mountain and data to support adaptation measures to consider joining the GEO Mountains network.