Transboundary climate risks and adaptation in mountain areas: A brief for parties and observers to the UNFCCC

This brief articulates what transboundary climate risks are, why they matter, and their relevance for different negotiation tracks - including proposed calls for action.

There is a strong rationale for negotiators to raise transboundary climate risks and the adaptation needs of mountain communities at COP29 and beyond. The authors provide three compelling arguments.

• Transboundary climate risks and adaptation in mountain areas are increasingly highlighted in Party submissions to the UNFCCC. Many countries are already a part of this growing and diverse coalition. But strengthening the world's resilience to transboundary climate risks will require bold and coordinated efforts.
• Transboundary climate risks and adaptation in mountain areas are gaining increasing traction on the world stage. There is momentum to harness but also a risk of deepening long-held divides.
• Raising transboundary climate risks and adaptation in mountain areas in the negotiations could lead to breakthroughs on otherwise intractable negotiating issues.