GLACIARES+: Risk management and Productive use of water from melting glaciers

The Andes cover 99% of the world’s tropical glaciers – about 71% of these glaciers are located within Peru. Their area has almost been halved over the past four decades. This evolution sparks serious natural hazards, but it also offers a number of unprecedented economic opportunities. Ongoing glacial retreat is expected to continue impacting key economic sectors such as hydropower production. Peru is a particularly suitable lab to learn more about the challenges but also potential of a mountainous country affected by glacial retreat.

The overall goal of the second phase is to further develop and strengthen skills and expertise for adaptation and reduction of glacier-related natural hazards. In addition to preventing the negative impact of harmful disasters, selected economic key branches will be supported seizing emerging economic opportunities that are related to melting glaciers.

• Up to 1’686’507 inhabitants from local communities and grass-roots organisations that live in the selected river basins.
• Professionals from public and private institutions working on glaciological topics and issues related to productive use of water from melting glaciers
• Lecturers, scientists and students from state universities in Ancash, Cusco and Lima
• Policy-makers in Peru and beyond.

• Strengthening public institutions for climate change adaptation and reduction of glacier-related risk
• Generating and strengthening adaptive capacities and the management of  opportunities from glacial retreat
• Capacity building and knowledge management

Principaux résultats attendus:  

• Consolidation and scaling up of successful disaster risk management and climate change adaptation measures in selected river basins. Identification of suitable adaptation measures for the energy and agricultural sector.
• Promotion of capacity building efforts, e.g. by means of fostering cooperation between peers on the topics of glacier shrinkage, related disaster risk management and sustainability of energy and agricultural production.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

• Implementation of risk management and climate change adaptation measures related to glacial retreat, such as setting up an early warning system that has 6’078 direct and 15’246 indirect beneficiaries (Carhuaz)
• Creation and strengthening of professional expertise in glacier monitoring and related risk assessment
• Training of 40 young professionals
• Contribution to raising the awareness about glacial retreat and associated challenges.

National Water Board, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment, National Civil Defence Institute.

PACC, CLIMANDES, CATCOS, IHCAP, GLOF Yarkant River China project, SMD4GC, UNDP.

Phase 2 01.09.2015 - 31.12.2019   (Completed)