@article{Menk2022,

title = {What's at stake? A human well-being based proposal for assessing risk of loss and damage from climate change},

author = {Linda Menk and Thomas Schinko and Veronica Karabaczek and Isabel Hagen and Stefan Kienberger},

doi = {10.3389/FCLIM.2022.1032886/BIBTEX},

issn = {26249553},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Climate},

volume = {4},

pages = {1032886},

publisher = {Frontiers Media S.A.},

abstract = {Current scientific discourse on the assessment of loss and damage from climate change focuses primarily on what is straightforwardly quantifiable, such as monetary value, numbers of casualties, or destroyed homes. However, the range of possible harms induced by climate change is much broader, particularly as regards residual risks that occur beyond limits to adaptation. In international climate policy, this has been institutionalized within the Loss and Damage discourse, which emphasizes the importance of non-economic loss and damage (NELD). Nevertheless, NELDs are often neglected in loss and damage assessments, being intangible and difficult to quantify. As a consequence, to date, no systematic concept or indicator framework exists that integrates market-based and non-market-based loss and damage. In this perspective, we suggest assessing risk of loss and damage using a climate change risk and vulnerability assessment (CRVA) framework: the Impact Chain method. This highly adaptable method has proven successful in unraveling complex risks in socio-ecological systems through a combination of engaging (political) stakeholders and performing quantitative data analysis. We suggest expanding the framework's logic to include not only the sources but also the consequences of risk by conceptualizing loss and damage as harm to nine domains of human well-being. Our approach is consistent with the risk conceptualization by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Conceptualization and systematic assessment of the full spectrum of imminent loss and damage allows a more comprehensive anticipation of potential impacts on human well-being, identifying vulnerable groups and providing essential evidence for transformative and comprehensive climate risk management.},

keywords = {climate change, human well-being, indicators, Loss and damage, NELD, risk assessment},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{AshrafVaghefi2021,

title = {Using Decision Making under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU) approaches to support climate change adaptation of Swiss Ski Resorts},

author = {Saeid Ashraf Vaghefi and Veruska Muccione and Kees C. H. Ginkel and Marjolijn Haasnoot},

url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1462901121002513},

doi = {10.1016/j.envsci.2021.09.005},

issn = {14629011},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-01},

journal = {Environmental Science & Policy},

volume = {126},

pages = {65--78},

publisher = {Elsevier},

abstract = {Climate change threatens winter tourism in the Alps severely, and ski resorts are struggling to cope under uncertain climate change. We aim to identify under what conditions physical and economic tipping points for ski resorts may occur under changing climate in six Swiss ski resorts representing low, medium, and high elevation in the Alps. We use exploratory modeling (EMA) to assess climate change impacts on ski resorts under a range of futures adaptation options: (1) snowmaking and (2) diversifying the ski resorts' activities throughout the year. High-resolution climate projections (CH2018) were used to represent climate uncertainty. To improve the coverage of the uncertainty space and account for the climate models' intra-annual variability, we produced new climate realizations using resampling techniques. We demonstrate the importance of five factors, namely climate scenarios (RCPs), intra-annual climate variability, snow processes model, and two adaptation options, in ski resorts survival under a wide range of future scenarios. In six ski resorts, strong but highly variable decreases in the future number of days with good snow conditions for skiing (GSD) are projected. However, despite the different characteristics of the resorts, responses are similar and a shrunk of up to 31, 50, and 62 days in skiing season (Dec-April) is projected for the near-future (2020–2050), mid-future (2050–2080), and far-future (2070–2100), respectively. Similarly, in all cases, the number of days with good conditions for snowmaking (GDSM) will reduce up to 30, 50, and 74 days in the skiing season in the near-, mid-, and far-future horizons, respectively. We indicate that all ski resorts will face a reduction of up to 13%, 33%, and 51% of their reference period (1981–2010) revenue from winter skiing activities in the near-, mid-, and far-future horizons. Based on the outcomes of the EMA, we identify Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways (DAPP) and determine the adaptation options that ski resorts could implement to avoid tipping points in the future. We highlight the advantages of adaptive planning in a first of its kind application of DMDU techniques to winter tourism. We specify the possible adaptation options ranging from “low revenue diversification and moderate snowmaking” to “high revenue diversification and large snowmaking” and demonstrate when an adaptation action fails and a change to a new plan is needed. By the end of the century, we show that only ski resorts with ski lines above 1800–2000 m elevation will survive regardless of the climate scenarios. Our approach to decision-making is highly flexible and can easily be extended to other ski resorts and account for additional adaptation options.},

keywords = {climate change, Decision making under deep uncertainty (DMDU), Dynamic adaptive policy pathways (DAPP), Scenario discovery, Tipping points, Winter tourism},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{McDowell2021,

title = {Closing the Adaptation Gap in Mountains},

author = {Graham McDowell and Madison Stevens and Alexandra Lesnikowski and Christian Huggel and Alexandra Harden and Jose DiBella and Michael Morecroft and Praveen Kumar and Elphin Tom Joe and Indra D. Bhatt and Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative},

url = {https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-41/issue-3/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1/Closing-the-Adaptation-Gap-in-Mountains/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1.full https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-41/issue-3/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1/Closing-the-Adaptation-Gap-in-Mountains/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1.short},

doi = {10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1},

issn = {0276-4741},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-10-01},

journal = {Mountain Research and Development},

volume = {41},

number = {3},

pages = {A1},

publisher = {International Mountain Society},

abstract = {Over 1 billion people are living at the frontlines of climate change in mountain areas, where warming rates outpace the global average and are driving significant changes in environments and ecosystem services. These changes are exacerbating socioeconomic difficulties faced by many mountain communities, and are already intensifying vulnerabilities across mountain areas globally. The situation is indicative of pervasive and consequential deficits in adaptation, and calls attention to the need for a better understanding of existing adaptation efforts, as well as the prospects for increasing the quantity and quality of adaptation action in mountain regions. In response, this MountainAgenda article introduces a conceptual framework for adaptation gaps. It then uses data from 2 major global-scale adaptation reviews to shed light on the nature and true magnitude of the adaptation gap in mountains. It reveals shortcomings in available adaptation options, deficits in the uptake of existing adaptation support, and a general lack of coherence between existing adaptations and keystone global agreements relevant to climate change adaptation. These shortcomings are largely related to soft limits to adaptation that constrain responses across mountain areas. In this article, we provide recommendations for closing the adaptation gap in mountains and suggest that this will require deeply collaborative efforts that are rooted in local needs, aspirations, and ways of knowing, but that are also supported by external capacity building and implementation resources. In many instances, this will resemble a transformative approach to adaptation. The conceptual framework presented here is broadly applicable and can also be utilized to identify and close adaptation gaps in social-ecological contexts beyond mountains.},

keywords = {adaptation, climate change, gaps, limits, Mountains},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Shahgedanova2021,

title = {Mountain Observatories: Status and Prospects for Enhancing and Connecting a Global Community},

author = {Maria Shahgedanova and Carolina Adler and Aster Gebrekirstos and H. Ricardo Grau and Christian Huggel and Robert Marchant and Nicholas Pepin and Veerle Vanacker and Daniel Viviroli and Mathias Vuille},

url = {https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-41/issue-2/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1/Mountain-Observatories--Status-and-Prospects-for-Enhancing-and-Connecting/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1.full https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-41/issue-2/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1/Mountain-Observatories--Status-and-Prospects-for-Enhancing-and-Connecting/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1.short},

doi = {10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1},

issn = {0276-4741},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-06-01},

journal = {Mountain Research and Development},

volume = {41},

number = {2},

pages = {A1},

publisher = {International Mountain Society},

abstract = {Mountainous regions are globally important, in part because they support large populations and are biodiverse. They are also characterized by enhanced vulnerability to anthropogenic pressures and sensitivity to climate change. This importance necessitates the development of a global reference network of long-term environmental and socioeconomic monitoring—mountain observatories. At present, monitoring is limited and unevenly distributed across mountain regions globally. Existing thematic networks do not fully support the generation of multidisciplinary knowledge required to inform decisions, enact drivers of sustainable development, and safeguard against losses. In this paper, the Mountain Observatories Working Group, established by the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) Science Leadership Council, identifies geographical and thematic gaps as well as recent advances in monitoring of relevant biophysical and socioeconomic variables in the mountains. We propose principles and ways of connecting existing initiatives, supporting emerging areas, and developing new mountain observatory networks regionally and, eventually, globally. Particularly in the data-poor regions, we aspire to build a community of researchers and practitioners in collaboration with the Global Network on Observations and Information in Mountain Environments, Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Mountains, a GEO Work Programme Initiative.},

keywords = {climate change, data networks, elevation gradients, GEO Mountains, long-term monitoring, Mountains, Paleoenvironments, remote sensing},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{McDowell2020b,

title = {From needs to actions: prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities},

author = {Graham McDowell and Leila Harris and Michele Koppes and Martin F Price and Kai M A Chan and Dhawa G Lama},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-020-02920-1},

doi = {10.1007/s10584-020-02920-1},

issn = {15731480},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-11-01},

journal = {Climatic Change},

volume = {163},

number = {2},

pages = {953--972},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media B.V.},

abstract = {Adaptation needs in high mountain communities are increasingly well documented, yet most efforts to address these needs continue to befall mountain people who have contributed little to the problem of climate change. This situation represents a contravention of accepted norms of climate justice and calls attention to the need for better understanding of prospects for externally resourced adaptation initiatives in high mountain areas. In response, this paper examines the architecture of formal adaptation support mechanisms organized through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and how such mechanisms might help to meet adaptation needs in high mountain communities. It outlines key global adaptation initiatives organized through the UNFCCC, clarifies idealized linkages between these global adaptation initiatives and meeting local adaptation needs, and evaluates actual progress in connecting such support with discrete adaptation needs in the upper Manaslu region of Nepal. The paper then critically examines observed shortcomings in matching adaptation support organized through the UNFCCC with local adaptation needs, including complications stemming from the bureaucratic nature of formal adaptation support mechanisms, the intervening role of the state in delivering aid, and the ways in which these complexities intersect with the specific socio-cultural contexts of mountain communities. It concludes by highlighting several prospects for increasing the quantity and quality of adaptation support to mountain communities. These opportunities are considered alongside several salient concerns about formal adaptation support mechanisms in an effort to provide a well-rounded assessment of the prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities.},

keywords = {adaptation, climate change, Himalayas, Mountains, Nepal, UNFCCC},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Muccione2016,

title = {Scientific Knowledge and Knowledge Needs in Climate Adaptation Policy},

author = {V Muccione and N Salzmann and C Huggel},

doi = {10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-15-00016.1},

issn = {02764741},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-01-01},

journal = {Mountain Research and Development},

volume = {36},

number = {3},

abstract = {textcopyright 2016. Muccione et al. Mountain ecosystems around the world are recognized to be among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The need to develop sound adaptation strategies in these areas is growing. Knowledge from the natural sciences has an important role to play in the development of adaptation strategies. However, the extent of and gaps in such knowledge have not been systematically investigated for mountain areas. This paper analyzes the status of knowledge from natural science disciplines and research needs relevant to the national and subnational climate adaptation policies of 1 US state (Washington) and 7 countries (Austria, Bhutan, Colombia, Germany, Nepal, Peru, and Switzerland), in particular the elements of those policies focused on mountain areas. In addition, we asked key individuals involved in drafting those policies to answer a short questionnaire. We found that research needs mainly concern impact and vulnerability assessments at regional and local levels, integrated assessments, and improved climate and socioeconomic data. These needs are often related to the challenges to data coverage and model performance in mountainous areas. In these areas, the base data are often riddled with gaps and uncertainties, making it particularly difficult to formulate adaptation strategies. In countries where data coverage is less of an issue, there is a tendency to explore quantitative forms of impact and vulnerability assessments. We highlight how the knowledge embedded in natural science disciplines is not always useful to address complex vulnerabilities in coupled human and natural systems and briefly refer to alternative pathways to adaptation in the form of no-regret, flexible, and adaptive management solutions. Finally, in recognition of the trans- and interdisciplinary nature of climate change adaptation, we raise the question of which knowledge production paradigms are best able to deliver sustainable adaptations to growing environmental stressors in mountain regions.},

keywords = {adaptation policy, climate change, climate change impact, policy-relevant knowledge, vulnerability},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}