Adapting to climate change in the mountains: Legislative solutions from around the world

Introduction

As climate change impacts intensify, working to protect the natural environment and the people living there will become all the more vital. Parliamentarians can take action through different functions, including by introducing legislation that responds to the pressing needs of mountain areas in the wake of climate change. This brief explores different laws from around the world, which may serve as inspiration for new, effective climate-responsive policies.

There are a variety of existing laws and policies that assist with adapting to climate change impacts in mountain areas. These laws span different sectors and have a variety of beneficiaries, depending on the specific needs of the countries. Each law was introduced and ratified facing different barriers, and with the help of enabling factors that helped parliamentarians pass it, as explored in this brief.

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Legislative solutions

Water Act of Bhutan, 2011 – The Water Act established a legal framework to conserve and manage water resources throughout the country in an economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally
sustainable way.

Colombia, Law No. 1930 on páramos, 2018 – Páramo, a unique tropical Andean wetland ecosystem, is vital for biodiversity, water provision and agriculture in Colombia. Law No. 1930 was introduced to establish guidelines for their preservation, restoration and sustainable use, and as tools for knowledge generation.

Tajikistan, Law No. 2026 on the protection of glaciers, 2024 – The law on the protection of glaciers defines a state policy for protecting glaciers, as well as acknowledging their importance from a legal, economic and organizational perspective.

Law of Georgia on Development of High Mountainous Regions (No. 4036-RS), 2015 – This law works to improve the socio-economic problems of inhabitants of mountains by providing financial benefits to improve well-being, raise living standards, promote employment and, indirectly, prevent out-migration.

Uganda, National Environment Act, 2019 – This National Environment Act, 2019, provides a legal framework for environmental issues, including climate change. It designates an authority to determine the mountain areas that are at risk of environmental degradation and thus identifies a lead agency responsible for restoration or reforestation. It stipulates further guidelines on sustainable land use practices in hilly areas.

France, Law No. 85-30 on the development and protection of mountains and Law No. 2016-1888 on the modernization, development and protection of mountain territories, 2016 – This law designates mountains as areas of national interest and focuses on curbing construction in mountain areas, preserving agricultural land, protecting water bodies, and balancing tourism development with local interests and the vulnerability of the area to climate change.

You can learn more about the legislative solutions by referring to the brief and the Adaptation at Altitude Solutions Portal.

Suggested citation

Mackey, A. (2026). Adapting to climate change in the mountains: legislative solutions from around the world.