Mountains in Motion: Global Linkages from Ridge to River

Mountain ecosystems are critical intersections in global systems, linked to planetary health and human well-being far beyond their ridges. They function as water towers, supplying freshwater for downstream agriculture, energy, and urban centres, thereby inextricably linking ecosystem health to food, energy, and economic security. This publication sheds a light on the interconnection of challenges to better understand the cascading effects of a changing climate and environmental conditions. Human driven global warming causes rapid cryosphere decline and accelerates biodiversity loss by forcing some species to move to higher altitudes. Simultaneously, pollution, from long-range atmospheric deposition to local tourism waste, exacerbates ecosystem stress and may accelerate snow and ice melt. Links between the triple planetary crisis in mountain regions and the rest of the planet are identified, moving beyond a siloed analysis. The publication leverages recent data from top-tier peer-reviewed journals, public databases and Rio convention reports, to quantify the “ridge-to-river” cascade of impacts, building a compelling case for action. It provides a decision-making tool for translating science into policy-ready options, responding to future scenario modelling and mountain-specific indicators. Identified solutions recognize the key role of women, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and youth in shaping sustainable mountain futures. This report is structured to guide the reader from understanding the challenges to identifying solutions. It begins by describing climate change impacts and trends in mountain regions, then analyses present and future challenges for biodiversity, describes the human-made pressures of pollution and land degradation, and examines international environmental governance in specific mountain regions. Throughout the report, mapbased case studies illustrate the linkages between mountain regions and lowlands, supported by data that help to better grasp the challenges and solutions identified.