Future Sustainability Challenges in Hindu Kush-Himalaya - Impact of Global Changes on Mountains: Responses and Adaptation - page 257

can be reported as a promising foundation for a green economy and good
environmental governance, and recommended investments in green projects
and policy reforms to provide incentives to the sectors such as agriculture,
natural resources and industrial development (ICIMOD 2011).
One of the viable options is exploring low carbon growth strategies in
energy, transport and urban sectors to reduce carbon emissions, such as
introducing projects aiming to increase effi ciency of energy production,
promoting of alternative technologies like hydropower and small renewable
power installations. Promoting climate-friendly interventions such as,
promoting low-carbon growth, building climate-resilient rural economies,
there is also a need to build awareness, ownership and capacity (World
Bank 2009a).
Climate change into development agenda
Integrating climate change efforts into broader development and poverty
reduction agendas can foster climate-resilient livelihoods with particular
focus on highly vulnerable regions with the poorest and marginalized
communities in the HKH region (IPCC 2007a). Development without
consideration of climate risk and opportunities may not be a viable
option. Although a range of development activities contribute to reducing
vulnerability to many climate change impacts, in some cases, may increase
vulnerability to climate change. For example, planning coastal development
without taking into account projected sea level rise will put projects at risk
and prove unsustainable in the long term. Integrating the consideration
of long term climate risks into national planning processes, as well as in
budgets, and building capacity of local governments and project planners
to better assess and implement mitigation and adaptation measures (OECD
2009). Appropriate policy reform is urgently required to build up and
enhance natural capital, such as, forests, water and soil (UNEP 2011).
Water storage for adaptation to climate change
With water scarcity looming, water storage is and will be a key strategy for
climate change adaptation in the Himalayan region. The HKH is the major
source of stored water in the cryosphere and the biosphere. The HKH region
has a total area of more than 100,000 sq km—the largest bodies of ice outside
the polar caps, providing important intra- and inter-annual water storage
facilities. Developing a water storage system and management strategies
in the context of climate change and making it available when it is needed
the most is recognized as an appropriate strategy (ICIMOD 2009).
Glacier lakes may offer storage potential and can be accessed with
appropriate technology and infrastructure to mitigate risk of outburst in
the HKH region. The lakes that are not potentially dangerous in the region