AccelNet-ACCORD Roadmap Defined for Hydroclimatic Data Analysis in the Andean Cryosphere

On December 7 and 8, the ACCEL NET-ACCORD meeting took place in Washington, D.C., bringing together researchers and key organizations to strengthen scientific collaboration on climate change. The meeting focused specifically on the hydroclimate of cryospheric regions, including the Andes.

The event featured the participation of Omar López Alfano, Science Director at the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), who emphasized the importance of improving data availability and addressing knowledge gaps related to the hydrological cycle and extreme climate events. Priority areas of work include analyzing the impacts of changes in Hadley cells, understanding the spatial and temporal variability of the Andean hydrological cycle, and modeling extreme weather events.

The Andex network shared that its next meeting in 2025, to be held in Mendoza, Argentina, will focus on training young scientists through summer schools and the development of reports aimed at decision-makers. Collaboration with organizations such as CLIC and GCOS was also emphasized to monitor the cryosphere and assess the socioeconomic impacts of climate change in mountainous regions, with a particular focus on glacier conservation as part of the International Year of Glacier Preservation in 2025.

During the sessions, the ACCIÓN Project, led by the University of Chile, was presented. This project promotes glaciology training through the participation of students from various Andean countries. It aims to address the variability of the hydrological cycle, assess risks associated with extreme events, and foster data sharing for collaborative research.

The meeting concluded with the definition of a roadmap for the coming years:

  1. Collaborative Networks: Formalize alliances with organizations and research networks to share resources and data.
  2. Workshops and Summer Schools: In 2025, conduct training sessions focused on glacier studies, hydrology, and climate modeling.
  3. Communication Strategies: Develop multilingual seminars and leverage IAI’s capabilities to sustain participant engagement.
  4. Data Platforms: Optimize the ACCEL NET/ACCORD website to share publications and activities.
  5. Advisory Council: Establish a committee of experts with gender and regional representation to guide initiatives.
  6. Decision-Maker Engagement: Prepare reports for policymakers to promote evidence-based decision-making.
  7. Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly review collaborative projects and adjust strategies to address climate challenges effectively.

These initiatives aim to consolidate a collaborative research framework to address the challenges of climate change, particularly in the Andes and other cryospheric regions of the continent.