Leave No Mountain Behind: Disaster Risk Reduction for All

Abstract

Leave no one behind. That is the promise made by the United Nations in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in its commitment to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination and exclusion, and reduce the inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind and undermine the potential of individuals and of humanity as a whole. Mountain regions cover one quarter of the world’s land surface and are home to more than 1.2 billion people in more than 100 countries, with about one-third of the people living in cities (Ehrlich et al. 2021). Distinguished by rich biological and cultural diversity, mountains provide vital goods and ser- vices to those living in the mountains and to those downstream (Adler et al. 2022). The ecosystem services they provide – particularly freshwater – are crucial in the lowlands and beyond. The IPCC (2022) reports observable climate change impacts with serious consequences for people and ecosystems in many mountain regions – reductions in snow cover extent and duration, loss of glacier mass, thawing of perma- frost, increases in the number and size of glacial lakes and changes in seasonal weather patterns, are all related to higher temperatures. The accelerated warming in the mountains in combination with the large population dependent on mountain services, place mountain regions in a unique and sensitive position in the context of sustainable development under climate change (Adler et al. 2022). Sustainable development in the mountains helps countries and regions adapt to climate change, reduce disaster risks and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. But mountain communities are often left behind economically and politically. As we celebrate 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, let’s work to honour our commitment to leave no one behind.