2024 World Earth Day Ice Peak Forum & COP29 Youth Glacier & Climate Change Scientific Exploration Campaign

Agenda in English Agenda in Chinese read in chinese

About the event

The Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMHE-CAS/ CNICIMOD), Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences (AMS) under the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP, CAS), Polar Hub (Tianjin Ultimate Climate Change Promotion Center), and in collaboration with the National Centre for Environmental Education and Communications of the Ministry of Environment and Ecology of the PRC (NEEC, MEE), is organising the 2024 World Earth Day Ice Peak Forum on 16 April and COP29 Youth Glacier & Climate Change Scientific Exploration Campaign from 17–20 April 2024. ICIMOD was invited by NEEC of MEE, as a supporting organisation, to participate in both events in Sichuan, China.

The ICIMOD delegation was invited to participate in main forum and two sessions:

• Parallel Session 1: Climate Change and Response on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (hosted by the AMS) and
• Parallel session 4: Mountain glacier changes and their impacts: from scientific monitoring to public participation (hosted by the IMHE)

The forum will gather over 100 Chinese participants, comprising climate and cryosphere policymakers, scientists and researchers, students, media, and stakeholders.

COP29 Youth Glacier & Climate Change Scientific Exploration Campaign

Youths play a critical force in shaping the global future. Facing the crisis of climate change, they serve as the backbone and source of transformation. To support the Climate Change Conference COP29 and further showcase the efforts and practices of young people in glacier research protection and addressing climate change, and to promote ecological civilisation and uphold the spirit of young people fearless in the face of challenges, the Environmental Protection Publicity and Education Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in conjunction with Polar Hub, is leading a group of 10-15 young individuals working at the forefront of climate change on a scientific exploration trip to Chengdu and Hailuogou Glaciers , Sichuan Province.

Background

The HKH and Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, also known as the Third Pole, is the source of freshwater to Asia’s twelve major rivers. These rivers produce food and services for nearly a quarter of humanity living in the mountains and river basins downstream. However, rapidly rising temperatures have significant impacts on the cryosphere across the region, as well as the entire mountain ecology- ice, glaciers, permafrost, and snow in the highlands of China and its adjoining countries.

Utilising the Chinese community platform, ICIMOD endeavours to rejuvenate current partnerships and explore opportunities for forging new collaborations with pertinent stakeholders in alignment with ICIMOD’s Strategic Group on Reducing Climate and Environmental Risks for 2024 and beyond. This opportunity will facilitate outreach and collaboration efforts for both COP29 and the 2025 International Conference on Glacial Protection (ICGP) which initiated by the United Nations.

Organisers

1. Center of Education and Communications, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the PRC
2. Polar Hub
3. Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences （CAMS）
4. Chengdu Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IHME, CAS)/ Chinese Committee of the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (CNICIMOD)
5. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences （ITP，CAS）

Supporting organisations:

• Department of Ecology and Environment of Sichuan Province
• Department of Ecology and Environment of Tibet Autonomous Region
• Department of Ecology and Environment of Qinghai Province
• People’s Government of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
• Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
• Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University
• China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
• China Association for Scientific Expedition
• Alpine Ecosystem Observation and Experiment Station of Mt. Gongga, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Hailuogou Management Committee, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province

Event photo album