Countries must prioritise low-carbon and climate-resilient development with sustainable solutions, such as nature-based systems, renewable energy and diversified financing to manage risks and sustain development
Glaciers are indispensable to regional climate, ecological balance, cultural heritage and socio-economic development in the Asia Pacific region. The benefits of glaciers are manifold; they are the perennial source of water for rivers regardless of the season and rainfall variability. Glaciers reflect excess heat back into space, keeping the region cooler, while their cold runoff regulates downstream water temperature and local weather. Moreover, nature's ingenuity is evident in the formation of glacial lakes by glaciers, which create additional natural reservoirs that further regulate river systems.
In many parts of Asia, glaciers and glacial lakes are not only seen as natural wonders but also regarded as symbols of power and dignity, reflecting their significant cultural and religious importance. In this region, many people rely on glaciers meltwater for drinking water, agriculture and hydropower within a complex water, food and energy nexus.
For example, the Himalayan glaciers feed major river systems like the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra, which are crucial for over 750 million people. In Central Asia, melting glaciers are critical for irrigation.
The region is home to some of the largest and most significant glacier systems in the world, primarily located in the Himalayan, Karakoram and Tien Shan mountain ranges. The glaciers cover a total area of about 100,000 square kilometers but are retreating at an average rate of 50 meters per year-more than twice as fast as the rate observed before 2000. This swift retreat clearly demonstrates the impacts of climate change, creating a vicious cycle of ongoing climate change effects.
There are approximately 30,000 glacial lakes associated with those glaciers, with a combined water surface area of about 1,500 square kilometers. As a consequence of rapid glacial melting, the number of glacial lakes and the total water surface area of these lakes have increased by over 20 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively, since 2015.
Climate change projections indicate that by 2100, the area of glacial lakes in the region could double, and the total water volume in these lakes may increase by more than tenfold. Therefore, the accelerated rate of glacial melting and retreat and the associated risk of glacial lake outburst floods are significant regional concerns.
Rapid glacial melting in the region threatens water supplies, ecosystems and economies, particularly in countries dependent on hydropower, river irrigation and stable water resources. The economic impact is significant, with increased flooding, reduced water availability and risks to agriculture, energy production and regional power supplies, disrupting the prevailing water, food and energy nexus.
Events such as avalanches and glacial lake outburst floods have caused considerable damage in Nepal and India, underscoring the dangers to downstream communities and infrastructure.
Glacial melting also accelerates river erosion and sediment buildup, altering landscapes and threatening human settlements. Excessive sediment in the Nepalese Himalaya has changed river courses in the deltaic plains of Bangladesh, while the loss of glaciers disrupts ecosystems and biodiversity. Failure to manage these risks may lead to regional conflicts, emphasising the urgent need for timely action.
To address these issues, countries in the region should collaborate across borders on data sharing, joint monitoring, and risk mapping to strengthen resilience against glacial melting. They can mitigate long-term water scarcity by improving water storage, enhancing water efficient irrigation, optimising renewable energy and adopting soil and water conservation techniques. Diversifying agriculture, including developing climate-resilient crops and value chains, will also help manage the economic impacts of climate change.
Nations should evaluate the risks of glacial melting to effectively implement integrated river basin management, and relocate infrastructure from high-risk areas. Engaging local communities and private sectors in adaptation strategies, linking glacier melt to water diplomacy, and exploring mid-term opportunities for economic diversification-such as hydropower revenue, regional water trade, and materials trading-are essential for maintaining development and promoting regional stability.
Investing in risk-informed, climate-resilient, and multipurpose infrastructure is essential, with extra focus on nature-based solutions and safeguarding downstream investments through upstream subsidiary infrastructure.
Countries should also adapt irrigation and hydropower operations to account for changing water flows, potentially redesigning water management systems. Raising awareness and building the capacity of local communities to adapt, including diversifying livelihoods, is critical to ensuring sustainable development and resilience in the face of these challenges.
Many countries in the region have not yet recognised glacier regions and river basins as regional public goods, which is vital for securing funding to protect socio-economic progress. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as eco-compensation, environmental trading, carbon markets and blended finance, should be explored.
The accelerating glacial melt in the Asia Pacific region is a stark reminder of the far-reaching impacts of climate change, threatening not only local water supplies and ecosystems but also the stability of entire economies across the region.
The solution lies in regional collaboration, proactive investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, and the adoption of innovative financial strategies. By working together and addressing these challenges on a larger scale, countries can build a sustainable future that balances economic growth with environmental protection.
