Framework for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Policies in Mountain Environments

Climate change has profound impacts on mountain ecosystems, making it imperative for local authorities to implement effective mitigation and adaptation strategies in order to improve the resilience of these important environments. In the Aosta Valley (Western Italian Alps) region, composed by mountainous terrain for 100% of its territory, regional and local stakeholders are actively committed to address climate change challenges. However, the complexity of the mountainous landscape, combined with the socio-economic needs of local communities, creates unique difficulties in defining and implementing policies that effectively address both environmental and societal resilience.

In this work we present the coordinated framework developed by the Aosta Valley Region to integrate mitigation, adaptation, and sustainability measures. Key policy initiatives include a status quo of climate change in Aosta Valley (Rapport Climat), a road map for mitigation at 2040 (Fossil Fuel Free), adaptation (Regional Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation (SRACC)) and sustainability policies (Regional Strategy for Sustainable Development (SRSVS)), and lately the Regional Plan for Climate Change Adaptation (PRACC). This framework provides pathways to find innovative solutions including the active participation of scientists, stakeholders and citizens. Notably, the SRACC and PRACC policies are based on an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on specific actions that needed to be implemented in a short- or long-term vision for several socio-economic sectors. These documents also address cross-cutting challenges to define the priority efforts.

In this context, the European Project Agile Arvier, especially through the Green Lab, aims to strengthen science-based polices communication to raise awareness and actively involve the population to foster the capacity to implement effective solutions in the mountains. The communication strategy will be oriented in positive terms, transmitting adaptation tools, focusing on the potential of the territory, thus enabling mountain communities to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change while achieving long-term sustainability.

These coordinated efforts underscore the importance of integrating scientific knowledge, policy frameworks, and societal engagement to address the complex challenges of climate change in mountain environments.