Emerging risks – mountain guides adapting
In 2021, the board of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA, 2023) identified the emergent risk of climate change as a direct threat to the mountain guide profession.
The damage to mountain ecosystems through the impact of climate change, for example through the thawing of permafrost, is leading to the loss of historical climbing routes, which in turn impacts the social and economic fabric and cultural heritage of mountain communities. These changes have implications for future generations.
A solutions-oriented approach with education and strategies for adaptation was established with initial outreach to other professional organizations, mountain stakeholders and partners such as the Zero Water Day Partnership.
The IFMGA Technical Commission formed a working group to build a multinational curriculum: Sustainable Mountain Guiding and Emerging Risk, which can be locally adapted and used by 27 IFMGA member associations around the world in their training schemes.
Visit International Federation of Mountain Guides Association website
The concept of sustainable mountain guiding (SMG) aims to ensure that adaptation, mitigation and resilience efforts across the federation are coordinated and consistent, are framed within sustainable mountain development, and are aligned with sustainable mountain tourism strategies at local, subnational, national, regional and global levels. 2023. Dubai Statement on Sustainable Mountain Guiding. International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations COP 28 Climate Conference [Cited 4 September 2024]
