Proceedings of The Science-Policy Roundtable on Climate Change Adaptation, 29–30 June 2017, Kathmandu, Nepal

The Science-Policy Roundtable on Climate Change Adaptation brought together experts, policymakers, researchers and practitioners dealing with climate change policies for a two-day discussion to mark the beginning of a process of policy engagement at the sub-national level in India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the roundtable focused on the Indian Himalayan region. It aimed to identify solutions towards ‘adaptation at scale’ that are likely to emerge from a greater inter-state, upstream-downstream and cross-country cooperation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). The ultimate goal was to foster joint dialogue on mountain ecosystems in the context of climate change and adaptation, and to get HKH countries working together at the regional and global levels on these issues.

Participants engaged in dialogues that brought to light key issues prevalent in the participating countries in sessions devoted to: (a) policy interventions on climate change adaptation, (b) linking science to adaptation solutions, (c) incorporating gender and ecosystem services in adaptation action, (d) use of geospatial applications for adaptation programme design and implementation, (e) learning from the region for adaptation at scale, and (f) panel discussion on the way forward.

The participants acknowledged that the roundtable was a most needed event, which brought policymakers, scientists, and practitioners together to discuss the issue of climate change in Nepal, Pakistan, and the Indian Himalayan states. Based on presentations made by state representatives and well-known experts, and the discussions that subsequently followed, the participants reiterated the need for a common platform to network and mainstream climate change discussion in the HKH. The delegates also recommended regular engagements as a possible activity to provide continuity to the undertaking.

The roundtable was organized under the Himalayan Climate Change Adaptation Programme (HICAP), which is implemented jointly by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Center for International Climate and Environmental Research-Oslo (CICERO), and Grid-Arendal in collaboration with local partners, and is funded by the governments of Norway and Sweden.