On 16 March 2026, GEO Mountains Task Group 3 (TG3) reconvened to advance the development of a technical supplement to the UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Technical Guidelines, focusing on mountain regions.
Building on the initial TG3 meeting held in June 2025, the meeting brought together around thirty experts from research, policy, and practice, marking an important step forward from initial concept discussions toward a more concrete and collaborative drafting phase. A key outcome was a clearer positioning of the supplement. While early ideas focused more narrowly on Earth Observation (EO), participants supported a broader framing centred on mountain adaptation, with EO and monitoring systems positioned as tools to support decision-making. This approach helps ensure the supplement remains relevant to national adaptation planning processes while avoiding duplication with existing EO-focused guidance.
Participants highlighted the importance of keeping the supplement practical and accessible for NAP practitioners and policymakers. This includes avoiding overly technical language and focusing on how mountain-specific risks and data gaps can be translated into concrete adaptation actions. The proposed structure, combining a contextual overview with practical guidance across themes such as hazards, water and cryosphere systems, ecosystems, and livelihoods, was broadly supported.
A central feature of the supplement will be the inclusion of short, targeted case studies embedded throughout the document. These will highlight real-world applications, including early warning systems, cryosphere monitoring, and ecosystem-based approaches, as well as examples that integrate local and indigenous knowledge.
The supplement will be developed through a collaborative process involving TG3 members and partner organisations. A shared contributions document has been launched to support coordination, and there was interest in establishing a small group to help guide the drafting process between meetings.
With the overall direction now clarified, the next phase will focus on refining the structure, confirming contributors, and beginning the drafting of sections and case studies. Through this work, GEO Mountains and its partners aim to develop a practical resource to support countries in integrating mountain issues into their National Adaptation Plans.