Our Team

Dr. Carole Fuchs

Founder & Director

Carole Fuchs holds a PhD in Social Anthropology with a focus on development studies. She is a mountaineer and climate policy expert with extensive field experience in the Himalayas. Having witnessed the impacts of climate change on glaciers, freshwater systems, and mountain communities, she brings a unique perspective that bridges science, policy, and on-the-ground action. Carole leads the Third Pole Climate Nexus in designing and implementing initiatives that support community adaptation, inform policy, and drive measurable climate solutions.

Our multidisciplinary approach is strengthened through collaborations with local and international partners, ensuring that our work is grounded in expertise, research, and community engagement.

Contact: carole@thirdpoleclimatenexus.org

Dr. Binaya Raj Shivakoti

Senior Adaptation & Water Specialist

Dr. Binaya Raj Shivakoti brings over 15 years of experience in climate adaptation and water management across Asia. Based at Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) since 2010, he works on community-led adaptation, sustainable water management, disaster risk reduction, and integrating traditional knowledge into climate solutions. He is skilled in hydrological modelling, GIS, and participatory approaches, and actively contributes to regional and international networks advancing climate-resilient water strategies.

Rupak Koirala

Nepal Program Lead – Climate & Sustainable Tourism

Rupak Koirala is an environmental advocate with 10+ years of experience in sustainable tourism, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and renewable energy in Nepal. He has worked with the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the World Bank, the Jane Goodall Institute Nepal, UNDP, and several leading research organisations.

A Global Exchange in Leadership Initiatives (GEILI) Fellow with international training from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), The Climate Reality Project, and others organizations, he currently serves as the Nepal Country Representative for Green Destinations.

Our Work

Glacier Monitoring & Systems Insights

Climate-Resilient Cultural Heritage & Community Tourism in Upper Dolpa.

Guardians of the High Plateau strengthens climate resilience in Upper Dolpa by protecting cultural heritage that is increasingly threatened by environmental change. The project works with monasteries, women’s groups, village elders, and youth to safeguard sacred sites, trade routes, and traditional knowledge affected by glacial melt, erratic rainfall, and shifting pastoral patterns. By integrating climate adaptation measures with responsible, community-led tourism, heritage homestays, climate-safe trekking routes, local guide training, and youth conservation apprenticeships, we help communities generate sustainable income while strengthening their ability to adapt to a rapidly changing Himalayan environment.

Expected Climate Adaptation Impacts:

Reduced vulnerability of cultural sites to climate hazards
Increased community income through climate-resilient tourism
Better preparedness for floods, landslides, and weather extremes
Strengthened water management linked to shrinking glaciers
Youth empowered to stay through climate-smart livelihood opportunities
Preservation of cultural identity as an adaptation asset

Understanding the Himalayan Water Tower

During the first production phase of Beyond Records, we joined a group of international scientists to monitor the Yala Glacier in Landing Valley, Nepal. This work combined scientific observation, interviews with glaciologists and environmental engineers, and field documentation to assess how climate change is reshaping the glacier and its downstream water systems.

By linking glacial dynamics to local water security, agriculture, and community livelihoods, this project applies a systems-thinking approach, highlighting the interconnected nature of high-mountain ecosystems. The research feeds directly into our climate storytelling, helping both policy makers and the public understand the cascading impacts of glacial retreat on Himalayan communities.

Key Activities:

Field monitoring of glacial retreat and seasonal melt patterns
Interviews with ICIMOD scientists, glaciologists, and environmental engineers
Documentation of downstream community impacts (water supply, agriculture, livelihoods)
Integration of scientific findings into the Beyond Records documentary narrative

Outcomes:

Increased understanding of how Yala Glacier changes affect regional water systems
Stronger linkages between scientific evidence and community-level adaptation
High-quality storytelling that communicates complex climate risks in a compelling, accessible way

Learn more

Beyond Records — Himalayan Climate Storytelling

Beyond Records is our investigative documentary following a 1,600 km journey along the Great Himalaya Trail to document glacier retreat, water insecurity, and community-led climate adaptation. Featuring local voices, scientific insights, and field research, the pilot film is recognized on the UN website for the 2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and screened in international policy dialogues. The project bridges ethnographic storytelling with climate action, highlighting risks, adaptation strategies, and the urgent realities facing Himalayan communities.

Status: In production.

Guardians of the High Plateau

Coming soon

Community-Led Early Warning Systems

Developing community-driven Early Warning Systems to reduce risks from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and other water hazards in high-altitude communities, these projects combine Automatic Weather Stations, hydrological sensors, and sirens to deliver timely, life-saving alerts.

Built on community ownership, local residents will lead and maintain the systems, ensuring long-term sustainability. By combining technology with local knowledge, we are creating replicable models for climate resilience in mountain regions.

Partners & Collaborators

The Third Pole Climate Nexus works closely with organizations and institutions to strengthen our initiatives and maximize impact. We are proud to collaborate with partners such as Trees Nepal, supporting local environmental and community projects, and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), advancing regional climate research and adaptation strategies.

Through these collaborations, we ensure that our work is grounded in local expertise, informed by scientific knowledge, and aligned with policy and adaptation priorities across the Himalayas.

Offices

France

Saint-Avold, Moselle

Nepal

Kathmandu, Dilibazar, Kathmandu

Japan

Kashiwagi, Hara, Nagano