Our projects 

Ev-K2-CNR traditionally also promotes studies in specific high-altitude related disciplines, such as:

Medicine and Physiology
to improve health and well-being by better comprehending the effects of hypoxia on the human organism and by studying chronic local pathologies, such as indoor-air pollution.                                

Environmental Sciences
to safeguard fragile mountain ecosystems by improving our knowledge of mountain environments, the effects of climate change and the role of mountains in global climate processes.

Earth Sciences
to better understand geological, geophysical, and glaciological phenomena of the world's youngest mountain chain to prevent and/or mitigate the effects of natural disasters..                 

Anthropological Sciences
to help preserve cultural identity and traditions at risk of extinction by performing anthropological, ethnographic and historical-cultural studies.

Technological Development
to promote the use of renewable energies and reduce environmental impact by developing industrial technologies such as the EARTH system for low emission waste treatment in high altitude and NATUREnergy, a thermodynamic system which produces electricity and heat from elimination of surplus biomass.

Ev-K2-CNR promotes important interdisciplinary scientific programs, placing special emphasis on results which benefit the environment and local populations.

Our large scale programs, developed in accordance with major international organizations such as WHO, WMO, UNEP, ICIMOD, IUCN, WWF, etc..) aim to make contributions such as:

  • study and monitor global changes
  • promote sustainable development in mountain areas
  • biodiversity conservation
  • development and cooperation oriented research


Share is an integrated project comprising an international climate and atmospheric monitoring network and research in environmental and geophysical sciences.  Working in synergy with projects run by UNEP and WMO, data from the SHARE initiative benefit the international scientific community as well as decision makers. 

SHARE focuses on performing high quality research in mountain areas, which make up nearly a quarter of the Earth's terrestrial surface.  Mountains have been demonstrated to be key locations for better describing the mechanisms and magnitude of pollutant transport and for monitoring the effects of global climate change on fragile ecosystems. 
Mountains are home to some of the world's most valuable resources, including water, energy, forests and biodiversity.  A healthy mountain environment means increased agricultural productivity, protection of endangered species, and well-being for both highland and lowland populations.

SHARE, the world's only monitoring and research program dedicated to high elevations, ultimately aims to assess the impact of climate change, mitigate its effects and promote sustainable development in vulnerable regions. This implies understanding:
- how and to what extent climate change will impact   the Earth's environment, economy and society
- ways to foresee, avoid and mitigate natural   disasters
- the likely effects of climate change on   agriculture, trade and health of millions of   people.

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Karakorum Trust aims to help improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of the Central Karakorum by promoting a coordinated program of research, cooperation and development initiatives in Pakistan's Northern Areas.  Working closely with local stakeholders and supported by UNEP-Asia, priority issues have been identified and are being addressed synergistically, with a special emphasis on implementation of the Central Karakorum National Park.  In particular, Ev-K2-CNR is coordinating execution of actions aimed at:
- natural resource protection
- preservation of cultural heritage
- promotion of science and management-oriented   research
- capacity building and professional training
- awareness raising regarding eco-sustainable tourism
- improving health and well-being of local populations.

Ev-K2-CNR's role as implementing and coordinating body entails:
- ensuring the participatory involvement of local   stakeholders in all phases, from planning of   activities to execution
- creating a networking forum to facilitate exchange   of information and promotion of the project's   successes
- facilitating the coordination of the various   Italian initiatives being carried out in the region
- promoting a systemic approach to sustainable   development. 


This multi-stakeholder initiative is focused on building institutional capacity for sustainable ecosystem management by developing decision support tools for the administrators of high altitude protected areas in the Hindu Kush-Karakorum-Himalaya (HKKH) region. This environmentally and socio-economically vulnerable area is home to both the world's most majestic mountains and some of its lengthiest armed conflicts, high poverty indexes and drastic food insecurity.  These mountains provide priceless resources for millions, in terms of water, forestry resources, agricultural products and biodiversity, not to mention a wealth of traditions and cultures at risk of extinction.  Helping improve management and decision making is essential to ensure the well-being of millions, not to mention promoting peace and stability.

The HKKH Partnership promotes management-oriented research and the creation of both soft and hard decision support tools, along with integrated capacity building and awareness raising efforts
.  The project, implemented by Ev-K2-CNR in partnership with IUCN, ICIMOD and CESVI, was launched by the Italian Government at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in line with UN recommendations for WSSD Type II outcome Partnership Initiatives.

 
On the request of a group of scientific and environmental organizations in the Arabian Gulf, Ev-K2-CNR decided to take on a new challenge: to replicate its multidisciplinary approach to safeguarding fragile environments in a non-mountainous area.  Inspired by the Gulf region's increasing need for environmental protection, Ev-K2-CNR put together a group of experts from various institutions of the Italian National Research Council who will work to help promote the application of a systemic approach to environmental research in collaboration with key local institutions, in particular the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Within this context, the GEMM project aims to improve the quality of the local environment and  benefit local populations by developing a coordinated program of monitoring and environmental research, technology transfer and sharing of expertise and know-how.  
 
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