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Cryosphere Analyst Managing cryosphere and water risks (SG1-AAA) Climate and environmental risks (SG1)
Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa is a cryosphere analyst at ICIMOD. His work focuses on understanding and quantifying the impacts of climate change on the cryosphere in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, as well as assessing the consequent socio-economic impacts.
Born in Namche Bazaar, a village at the foothills of Mt. Everest, Tenzing is an ethnic Sherpa and the grandson of the last surviving member of the 1953 British Mount Everest expedition team. He has extensive experience in conducting glacio-hydrological expeditions and geophysical surveys across Nepal. He was a key researcher in the National Geographic and Rolex Everest Expedition, contributing to the installation of one of the highest automatic weather stations in the world. He also played a crucial role in the EverDrill Project, where scientists drilled over 150 metres into the Khumbu Glacier.
A prominent advocate of climate action, Tenzing spearheaded ICIMOD’s global #SaveOurSnow campaign on the 70th anniversary of Everest’s first ascent. He is a sought-after spokesperson on climate and cryosphere issues in the Hindu Kush Himalaya and has been interviewed by major global media outlets such as the BBC World Service and The Times. In November 2023, at age 31, Tenzing represented ICIMOD at President Emmanuel Macron’s One Planet – Polar Summit, the world’s first summit dedicated to Earth’s polar and glaciated regions.
He holds an MS by Research in glaciology and a BSc in environmental science, both from Kathmandu University. Before joining ICIMOD, he worked as a research associate for the Cryosphere Monitoring Project (CMP) at Kathmandu University.
Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa
How do you protect the pulse of the planet?
I believe that a crucial step in protecting the pulse of the plant is to understand it. Only when we are able to understand what is really going on, can we comprehend the magnitude of the associated risks and mitigate them if possible. At ICIMOD, I work with a constellation of experts to generate knowledge products using state-of-the-art Earth observation tools. We generate data in a region where data is very sparse, and disseminate it through publications and other platforms, creating public awareness about critical issues in the region. As a member of a local mountain community myself, I intend to connect local realities to research and policy so that communities, researchers and policymakers have a common understanding of climate issues in the region and can work together to build resilience.
What is your favourite part of the work you do at ICIMOD?
I like the ambience of the office and working with professionals from diverse backgrounds.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about being outdoors, exploring different parts of the world and learning about different communities and societies.
My qualifications
I hold an MRes in glaciology and a BSc in environmental science from Kathmandu University. Prior to joining ICIMOD, I worked for the Cryosphere Monitoring Project (CMP) at Kathmandu University as a Research Associate. During my term there and here in ICIMOD as well, I have been part of numerous glacio-hydrological expeditions and geophysical surveys in several glaciers across Nepal. I have also worked extensively on remote sensing approaches for quantifying glacier dynamics, spatial data analyses and modelling of glaciers in the changing climate.
