The mountains and their role in sustainable development are the themes of the High Summit Cop26, the international conference, organized by EvK2Minoprio, held in Minoprio (Como) on 24th and 25th September with the University of Milan among the main protagonists of the event.
Through eight parallel sessions, High Summit Cop26 addressed some of the issues related to sustainable development from a purely mountain point of view: from the impact of climate change on water resources and ecosystems in general to socio-economic repercussions, from new technologies to transport, from the application of circular economy processes to European strategies for the management of Alpine territories, to the well-being and quality of life of mountain communities.
The event started on 24th September, at the Minoprio Foundation (viale Raimondi 54, Vertemate con Minoprio, Como), with three of the eight sessions of the day coordinated by professors from the University of Milan.
In particular, the session in the Conference Room entitled “Towards 2030: climate change in mountain regions” (beginning at 10.30) moderated by Maurizio Maugeri regarding climate dynamics and the impacts of the effects of climate change on mountain ecosystems, was also an opportunity to present the results of the sixth IPCC Report on the state of the art of knowledge relating to Climate Change with particular reference to Mountain Regions.
At the same time, but in the Sala dei Gessi (beginning at 10.30), Guglielmina Diolaiuti moderated the session “Water reservoirs of the world: management of glaciers and water resources”, dedicated to the most recent studies on glaciers and the heavy impact they are suffering due to climate change, such as darkening (due to rock debris and pollutants) that accelerates melting, with a focus on the most innovative study techniques using satellites and drones and ablation mitigation strategies. Case studies ranging from the Alps to the HinduKush-Karakorum-Himalaya were presented.
In the afternoon the session in the Conference Room (beginning at 4.30 pm), saw Anna Giorgi, Rector’s Delegate for the promotion of teaching, research and third mission activities for the enhancement of mountain areas and member of the Scientific Committee of High Summit Cop 26, presented the role of the UNIMONT Centre of the University of Milan located in Edolo in the context of the Alpine macro-regional strategy and in a wider international context.
On 25 September, once again in the Conference Room (starting at 9 am), there was the special session “Youth4Climate at high summit” dedicated to young people and moderated by Stefano Bocchi, Rector’s Delegate for the Minerva 2030 Project of the University of Milan and member of the Scientific Committee of High Summit COP26. The session brought together students from the school of Minoprio to present their project proposals on the different topics of High Summit Cop26, together with students of the University of Milan and the UNIMONT Centre who presented “Youth4Mountains Series”, a consultation that involved numerous young people at an international level and which will lead to the elaboration of the Mountain Education and Innovation Manifesto, as well as a “delegation” from Milan Polytechnic.
The participation of the University of Milan in High Summit COP26 is part of the All4Climate events of PreCop26, events leading up to the 26th Glasgow Climate Change Conference (31 October-12 November), during which the results of the Minoprio conference will also be presented.
Also at an international level, the University of Milan and its UNIMONT Centre will be protagonists during the opening week of Expo 2020 Dubai, as a partner of the Italian Pavilion.
In particular, the role of the UNIMONT Centre of the University of Milan located in Edolo will be presented as good practice for the development of mountain areas in the context of the International Forum on the mountains “SDG | Reaching for the Stars: Sustainable and Climate Resilient Mountain Development”, promoted in collaboration with FAO – Mountain Partnership, while on October 8 it will be the turn of the meeting entitled “Connecting Youth and Mountains, Creating a Lively Future” on the sustainable development of mountain territories, bringing together the various stakeholders in the promotion of mountain areas, from the world of governance and politics to that of research and innovation.