Mountains Are Warming Faster, Putting Billions at Risk

Mountains Are Heating Up Faster — Flood and Water Risks Are Rising

Climate change is hitting mountains harder than lowlands. A major review led by the University of Portsmouth (published in Nature) finds mountain regions warmed 0.21°C per century faster than nearby lowlands (1980–2020). Rainfall is getting less predictable, and more winter snow is falling as rain—a shift that raises flood risk and weakens natural water storage. Over one billion people rely on mountain snow and glaciers for water (including China and India via the Himalayas). As ice shrinks, scientists warn of “devastating” floods and more extreme hazards. This year, Pakistan suffered deadly flash floods affecting ~7 million people. In Switzerland, glaciers lost ~3% of volume this year and ~25% over the past decade; a May collapse destroyed most of Blatten. Wildlife is also moving upslope until there’s no habitat left. Researchers add that data gaps in high terrain likely underestimate warming. They call for stronger climate action and better mountain monitoring to protect people, water supplies, and ecosystems.

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Further reading: From the Alps to the Andes: How climate change in mountain regions is putting billions at risk

Just Climate Raises $375 Million for Natural Climate Solutions

Climate investor Just Climate (founded by Generation Investment Management, chaired by Al Gore) has raised $375 million for its Natural Climate Solutions strategy. The fund directs capital to businesses that change how land is used, restore degraded areas, and verify climate and nature outcomes—aiming for net-zero and nature-positive results alongside financial returns. New backers include Achmea Investment Management, the Environment Agency Pension Fund, and Royal Bank of Canada. Existing anchors are CalSTRS (institutional) and Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund (corporate). The fund made a third investment in AgroStar (India), an agritech platform founded in 2013 that supports millions of smallholder farmers through a digital app and ~10,000 local stores to promote climate-resilient practices. Other portfolio companies include NatureMetrics (biodiversity measurement) and GreenLight Biosciences (agri biosolutions). Just Climate says the goal is to scale solutions—from biological fertilizers and pesticides that replace chemicals to restoration finance models and tech to verify carbon and biodiversity. The firm stresses measurable impact; outcomes will depend on high-quality monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) and benefits for local communities.

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Further reading: Just Climate Raises $375 Million for Natural Climate Solutions Strategy

Most Institutional Investors Plan to Boost Sustainable Allocations, Morgan Stanley Finds

More than 4 in 5 institutional investors expect to increase their allocations to sustainable funds in the next two years, says Morgan Stanley’s new survey of 950+ investors. Among asset owners, 86% plan to raise allocations (North America: 90%). For asset managers, the figure is 79%. Only 2–3% expect to cut back. Why the shift? The top driver is strong financial performance of sustainable strategies, plus a growing track record. Managers also see demand from existing clients asking for higher allocations and new mandates tied to sustainable offerings. How money will be deployed: priority areas are renewable energy (30%), energy efficiency (28%), and fast-rising climate adaptation (23%). Most investors now treat physical climate risk as a major pricing factor within 5 years, and over half (53%) build climate resilience into asset evaluations (North America: 65%). What could slow progress? Concerns are rising about inconsistent data (47%), shifting regulations (43%), and politics (37%)—all cited as “very significant” hurdles.

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Further reading: Over 80% of Investors Expect to Increase Allocations to Sustainable Investments: Morgan Stanley Survey

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Wales Sounds the Alarm: Nearly 3,000 Species at Risk

A new Natural Resources Wales (NRW) report says 2,955 land and freshwater species in Wales are in danger because they exist in five locations or fewer. Since 2000, 11 species have already vanished from Cymru (including turtle dove and belted beauty moth). Who’s at risk? 25 birds, 5 fish, 6 mammals (e.g., Bechstein’s bat in the Wye Valley, Skomer vole on Skomer Island), 1 amphibian (natterjack toad), 2,000+ invertebrates, 309 fungi, and 321 lichens. Woodland/parkland/scrub host the most threatened species (1,076), followed by grassland (531) and peatland (356). 1,262 species are down to just one location. Hotspots like Newborough Forest & Warren (Anglesey) support 130 imperiled species. Why? Climate change and intensive agriculture, plus local issues like poor woodland management, altered peatland water levels, and pollution. The good news: NRW says modest actions—from scrub clearance and dune restoration to better biosecurity—can work. Simple steps already help, like goats grazing Stanner Rocks (Powys) to protect the Radnor lily. Wales’ government points to new habitat programs and a biodiversity bill to scale action.

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Further reading: ‘A precarious position’: almost 3,000 species at risk of disappearing from Wales, report finds

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Samuel Ferrara