• At the event, the OPCC and its partners in the Life Pyrenees4Climate programme will explain how cross-border cooperation has made it possible to create a coordinated strategy that has been successfully implemented.
• The event will also see the first presentation of the results of several decades of observation and monitoring of the cryosphere in the Pyrenees.
• It will be possible to attend the meeting virtually by registering

On 20 and 21 March, UNESCO will hold a high-level event attended by Eva García Balaguer, coordinator of the Pyrenean Climate Change Observatory. She will present the work of the Pyrenean Climate Change Observatory based on the Pyrenean Climate Change Strategy and its implementation to promote more resilient ecosystems.

At this important meeting of scientists and specialists, the coordinator of the OPCC-CTP will also talk about multilevel climate governance, financing strategies for cross-border climate action and innovative actions in networks monitoring the impacts of climate change on the hydrosphere, cryosphere and atmosphere.

The meeting will also highlight the cryosphere and the hydrosphere as common denominators in all the socio-economic and biophysical areas of the Pyrenees, as well as the need to relate scientific advances and knowledge to decision-makers.

At this UNESCO meeting, the results of several decades of observation and monitoring of the cryosphere in the Pyrenees will also be presented for the first time, through a new web tool in the form of a photo library. This will be followed by a brief discussion on the importance of public information platforms as tools for disseminating data and analysis on the impacts of climate change.

Some of the partners of the Life Pyrenees4Climate Programme will also participate in this event to discuss topics such as the role of reliable climate information in a heterogeneous and complex mountainous territory; resilient and integrated socio-economic models with operational solutions and the prevention of natural risks.

This UNESCO event will last two days as it will jointly celebrate the 1st World Glacier Day (21st March) and World Water Day (22nd March).

You will be able to virtually attend the intervention of the OPCC-CTP and its partners of the Life Pyrenees4Climate Programme at this great event organised by UNESCO.

Registration to attend the event virtually: https://shorturl.at/BndHw

All the information about the 1st UNESCO World Glacier Day in Paris can be found at: https://www.un-glaciers.org/en/world-day-glaciers-paris

Full programme of the OPCC-CTP participation

20th March - from 16:30 to 18:00

The OPCC and EPiCC - Pyrenean Climate Change Strategy to promote climate action in the Pyrenees - ‘Pyrenees4clima’ (Eva García Balaguer, OPCC coordinator).

From EPiCC to action for a resilient Pyrenees (3-minute video).

16:45-17:00

Resilient mountain ecosystems: innovation in observation networks

Impacts of a changing cryosphere in the Pyrenees, (Nacho López Moreno IPE-CSIC).

CRIOSPHEREPYRENEES, Awareness-raising tools: a photographic journey through the evolution of the emblematic landscapes of the Pyrenees (Juan Térradez).

17:00-17:10

Climate knowledge for adaptation services

New possibilities for providing more reliable climate information in a heterogeneous and complex mountainous territory (Jordi Cunillera SMC-Jean Michel Soubeyroux METEOFRANCE.

17:10-17:20

Adapted mountain economy and rural policies

Towards a resilient and integrated socio-economic model with operational solutions in the tourism sector (adaptive roadmap for alpine and mid-mountain ski resorts, circular and mobility tourism), agro-pastoralism (agrosilvopastoral practices, promotion of pastoral products) and the forestry-wood sector - promotion of local wood in local construction (Joël Maitia, Agence des Pyrénés).

17:20-17:30

Prevention of natural hazards, mountain populations and territories

Nature-based solutions as a viable alternative to address the challenges of natural and climate hazards in mountain areas (Santiago Fábregas EGTC Pyrenees-Pyrenees).

17:30-18:00

Questions and debate (chair: Eva García Balaguer-OPCC-CTP)

What is the present and future of adaptation to climate change in mountain areas?

(Interventions by speakers and the audience).