On March 21, 2026, the Institute for Global Decarbonization Progress (iGDP) hosted the Webinar on “Actions to Protect the Asian Water Tower” on the occasion of the second World Glacier Day. The webinar brought together experts from cryosphere research institutions, local environmental organizations on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and international organizations to share insights and exchange views on key topics including progress in glacier protection within the Hindu Kush–Himalaya cryosphere, black carbon emission reduction, and locally led conservation actions. The webinar aimed to raise public awareness of the severe challenges posed by glacier retreat and promote coordinated action among policymakers, researchers, and local conservation practitioners. 

The thematic presentations were moderated by Chen Simin, Platform Affairs Manager at iGDP, and featured presentations by Zhang Yulan, Researcher at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chen Meian, Senior Program Director at iGDP; and Awang Jiumei, Founder and Secretary-General of the Shangyuan Grassland Nature Conservation Center. 

Zhang Yulan shared her analysis from three perspectives: the current status and changing trends of the Hindu Kush–Himalaya cryosphere, potential environmental risks, and challenges to ecological security. She noted that the cryosphere—including glaciers, permafrost, and snow—is an important freshwater reservoir on Earth. In particular, glacier meltwater in the “Asian Water Tower” region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau provides critical water supplies to several major rivers. Against the backdrop of global warming, the cryosphere is rapidly shrinking, with significant glacier retreat, increasing surface fragmentation, and growing mass loss. Permafrost degradation has also resulted in substantial greenhouse gas emissions. These changes pose multiple environmental risks, including changes in water supply and demand, particularly in arid areas of Northwest China that depend on glacier meltwater; increased imbalances in transboundary water resources; and a higher risk of glacial lake outburst disasters. They also release substantial amounts of carbon, nitrogen, mercury, persistent organic pollutants, and other substances, accelerating biogeochemical cycles and threatening ecosystems and human health. She called for stronger interdisciplinary monitoring, international cooperation, and public education to address the ecological security challenges arising from cryosphere changes. 

From the perspective of black carbon emission reduction, Chen Meian discussed a pathway that delivers co-benefits for climate, health, and energy. She noted that black carbon, a short-lived climate pollutant and air pollutant, is mainly produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass in residential, industrial, and transport sectors. Black carbon has a strong warming effect, and its deposition accelerates glacier melt while also posing multiple risks to public health and food security. The Hindu Kush–Himalaya region is among the areas most affected by black carbon. As a component of PM2.5, black carbon also poses risks to public health and affects food security. Global efforts to reduce black carbon emissions are advancing under climate change and air pollution frameworks, with many countries setting reduction targets. Major measures include the adoption of clean residential cooking stoves, industrial technology upgrades, and cleaner transport fuels. Regional cooperation, including cooperation in East and South Asia, can generate synergies in slowing glacier retreat, improving public health, and advancing the energy transition, thereby delivering multiple benefits. 

Awang Jiumei introduced the work of the Shangyuan Grassland Nature Conservation Center in the Animaqing Mountains area at the source of the Yellow River, the largest water source area of the Yellow River. Local Tibetan communities have developed a traditional conservation model over thousands of years that connects mountains, water, and human society through a cultural relationship with snow-capped mountains, helping sustain fragile grassland ecosystems and biodiversity. However, climate change has led to rapid glacier retreat and grassland degradation. Through the collection of narratives about glaciers from older residents, the organization found that traditional relationships between people and nature are also being disrupted. For ten consecutive years, the organization has conducted public-participation snowline monitoring to document glacier changes and promote water source conservation. Glacier retreat has already affected local cultural attitudes, lifestyles, livelihoods, and health, leaving younger generations of grassland communities facing multiple adaptation challenges. 

The roundtable discussion was moderated by Lin Fangzhou, a veteran environmental journalist, and brought together Zhang Yulan, Researcher at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Zhang Qiangong, Head of the Climate and Environmental Risks Department at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD); Zhang Mengzhu, China Program Coordinator at the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI); and other experts. The participants discussed in depth how to translate efforts to protect the Asian Water Tower from scientific research into concrete action. 

Zhang Yulan noted that the key material cycles of glaciers and permafrost and their feedback mechanisms with climate change are important areas of ongoing research and key topics for public outreach. Glacier research currently needs to make breakthroughs in understanding the coupling mechanisms between glacier dynamics and climate responses, as well as in interdisciplinary research on systematic changes across multiple Earth spheres. Regarding the application of China's glacier research findings, Zhang Yulan noted that the extensive data obtained through initiatives such as the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research will provide solid support for ecological conservation and development on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Research findings have also supported conservation efforts in national parks such as the Qilian Mountains and Sanjiangyuan and contributed to the development of technical standards through interdepartmental cooperation. Regarding engineering interventions such as “covering glaciers with blankets,” she noted that such measures can only locally slow glacier melt and may pose potential environmental risks. The fundamental solution to glacier protection remains global climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Zhang Qiangong noted that warming on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is occurring at approximately twice the global average rate. Glacier retreat can trigger cascading disasters such as ice avalanches and debris flows, while also altering the seasonal distribution of water resources and producing indirect impacts over long distances downstream. Different river basins in the Hindu Kush–Himalaya region reach peak water availability from glacier melt at different turning points, and some areas have already experienced declining water supplies. Climate action will directly affect the timing of these turning points. Regarding international cooperation, Zhang Qiangong introduced the Cryospheric Sciences Action Decade 2025–2034 launched by UNESCO. The initiative has established five working groups covering observation, prediction, disaster management, adaptation action, and the expansion of scientific impact, creating an integrated pathway from science to action. ICIMOD is promoting coordinated responses to the glacier crisis among the eight member countries of the Hindu Kush–Himalaya region by establishing standardized observation methods, training regional research capacity, and providing a neutral platform for dialogue. 

Zhang Mengzhu noted that the key to helping the public perceive the urgency of the glacier crisis is to connect glacier changes with everyday issues such as water resources, agriculture, and electricity, while using accessible formats for science communication. She also highlighted barriers to translating scientific research into action, including differences in the language used by scientists and policymakers, difficulties in interdepartmental coordination, and mismatches in time scales. Zhang Mengzhu stated that China has evolved from a participant into an important contributor to international glacier conservation efforts. China's extensive research capacity provides important support for global scientific research, while collaboration between domestic institutions and international organizations has helped bring China's experience to the world and introduce international experience to China. 

At the conclusion of the webinar, the experts called for more young people to engage in cryosphere conservation and expressed the hope that businesses and broader sectors of society would participate in glacier protection through green production, public-interest initiatives, and other actions.