As part of COP29, held this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, a side event titled “Glacial lake outburst floods and flows: responding to climate change risks related to the world’s glaciers” brought attention to the escalating risks posed by GLOFs. Organized by the Adaptation@Altitude Programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the event explored innovative solutions for managing these hazards.
The GLOFCA project was represented at the event by Simon Allen, a project scientist from the University of Zurich. In his keynote presentation, Allen shared insights on GLOF risk management in rapidly changing mountain environments, drawing from a comprehensive review of over 100 global GLOF disaster risk management projects. This global review, led by Laura Niggli (also of the University of Zurich), has provided critical insights and best practices for disaster risk reduction strategies now being implemented in GLOFCA’s pilot regions. Key recommendations from the review have been elaborated through case studies and compiled into a brochure designed for decision-makers, civil society, and implementation agencies.
Watch the presentation and access the brochure below.