The ARIES team, as part of the PYRENEES4CLIMA project partner BC3, attended the first transboundary forum on the adaptation of mountain ecosystems to climate change, held from 18–20 June in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, France. The event brought together partners and stakeholders from across the Pyrenean regions to explore cross-cutting themes and foster collaboration between diverse actors and sectors.
Over the course of two days, the forum covered a wide range of relevant topics, providing space for reflection and discussion.
We were taken on a journey to the heart of the cryosphere, where glaciers and ice caves are facing unprecedented change as temperatures rise. Historical and modern day Pyrenean heritage was explored, with discussions linking it’s conservation and change to climate-related challenges. This included the impacts of species distributions change, and the pressures local industries such as tourism, timber and farming face as the pressure to adapt increases.
Megan Critchley, ARIES coordinator of ecosystem service modelling inputs
The challenges faced by the Pyrenees echo those in mountain regions around the world. Sharing knowledge across borders and generations is vital to developing effective responses. The forum served as a reminder of the importance of cooperation, mutual learning, and a collective vision for a more resilient future.
For ARIES, the forum reaffirmed the value of open, integrated tools that bridge science, policy, and local realities. As climate adaptation becomes increasingly urgent, the ability to connect data, ecosystems, and decision-makers across regions is not just helpful, it’s essential.
