Mountains are among the regions most sensitive to climate change. Some of the most visible indicators of climate change come from mountain areas, such as the widespread retreat of glaciers that has been observed from polar to tropical regions in recent decades. The sensitive position of mountain areas has been clearly highlighted by the IPCC in its latest report in 2007.Mountains provide freshwater to half of the world’s population and are home to half of all global biodiversity hotspots. Mountains are also important areas for recreation in an increasingly urbanised world. This raises crucial questions: How will these vital services be affected by climate change? Will mountain areas continue to provide the same amount of freshwater as they have in the past? What will be the magnitude and the impact of climate change in mountains and their adjacent lowlands? Where will the changes take place and who will be most affected? The present publication aims to create awareness about potential changes and related challenges for global development. It shows that not all is doom and gloom by presenting nascent and promising initiatives at the local, national, and international level. These endeavours attempt both to face the challenges presented by climate change and to take advantage of emerging opportunities wherever possible.