Mountain territories represent 24 percent of the total land of the Earth, and 12 percent of the humanity population lives there. The mountains provide resources for the life support of population in mountain and lowland areas, including fresh water, at least for half of humanity, the vital resources of biodiversity, food resources, timber, and minerals.

A rise in the use of "ozone-friendly" HFCs has prompted experts to voice concerns that the potent greenhouse gases could be a problem in the future. A UN report says that HFCs, many more times potent than CO2, could account for up to 20% of emissions and hamper efforts to curb climate change.