KATHMANDU, JUNE 3 The Himalayan Climate Charter Summit for the Earth Summit has adopted a Namche Action Plan 2026–2030 to save the mountain environment by addressing the adverse impact of the climate crisis. Making a global call from the Everest region, stakeholders who attended the second edition of the Himalayan Climate Charter 2026 in Namche Bazaar endorsed a historic charter which highlights multiple issues ranging from climate justice to Himalayan ecosystem protection. The action plan, jointly endorsed by the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee and Black Yak Korea, focuses on strengthening community-based disaster preparedness and response systems in climate-vulnerable mountain communities. Recognizing that the Himalayan region is among the most climate-vulnerable ecosystems in the world, the action plan also aims to support the expansion and strengthening of Early Warning Systems (EWS) and climate monitoring in the Everest region. Acknowledging the increasing impacts of climate change in the Everest region – including glacier retreat, expanding glacial lakes, GLOFs, permafrost weakening, biodiversity loss, water insecurity and growing risks to mountain livelihoods and cultures – the action plan also highlights the need to promote collaboration for glacier monitoring, cryosphere research, GLOF risk reduction, and the South Asian Brown Cloud. Recalling the Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025 and the Himalayan Climate Charter 2025, and recognizing the need to integrate traditional ecological knowledge with modern climate science through inclusive, community-centered action, the document signed by SPCC Chairperson Lama Kazi Sherpa, KPLRM Chair Mingma Chhiri Sherpa and Black Yak's founding chair Kang Tae Sun also aims to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, local institutions, the private sector, scientists and development partners. 'We are committed to supporting research, policy dialogue and coordinated actions for resilient Himalayan communities, as well as supporting market creation for agricultural products, strengthening local value chains and conducting climate-resilient livelihood training focused on adaptation,' the action plan reads. Recognizing increasing threats to agriculture, yak herding and local food systems due to climate change, the stakeholders also commit to supporting local agricultural grants and subsidies targeting women, youth, Indigenous farmers and marginalized groups. Protection and restoration of Himalayan water sources, springs and watersheds, as well as promotion of reforestation using native and water-retaining species, are also core points of the action plan. 'We commit to encouraging sustainable management of forests, wetlands and biodiversity,' it added. By promoting responsible and sustainable mountain tourism practices, the action plan also aims to strengthen waste management systems, reduce pollution in trekking regions, and encourage circular economy approaches and reduction of single-use plastics in the Himalayan region. The action plan also aims to recognize and strengthen the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in climate adaptation and conservation, and to promote climate justice and inclusive climate action. 'Through this Namche Action Plan Declaration 2026–2030, we collectively reaffirm our commitment to protecting the Himalayan ecosystem, strengthening the resilience of mountain communities, and advancing collaborative climate action from the Himalayas to the global stage,' KPLRM Chair Mingma Chhiri said. The integration of priority actions from the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality's Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) reflects a commitment to grounding global declarations in locally driven, community-centered adaptation measures, according to Sherpa. 'We also recognize the urgency of the Khumbu context – particularly following the 2024 Ngole GLOF – and commit to continued dialogue, partnership, research and innovation, and collective action toward a just, resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for present and future generations,' SPCC Chair Lama Kazi Sherpa added.