1 Introduction

Abstract

This chapter discusses the importance of Italian National Research Council (CNR) in environmental research. The Ev–K 2 –CNR (Everest–K2–Italian National Research Council Committee)–SHARE–Asia (Stations at High Altitude for Research on the Environment in Asia) Project is closely related to those CNR activities that contribute to global change studies. The creation of a high altitude monitoring network in the Himalaya–Karakoram region to increase general knowledge on environmental and earth sciences in these regions will be able to directly benefit from the participations of CNR experts, such as those who are dedicated to ongoing research activities in the Arctic and Antarctic. By having recently constituted an ‘‘Earth and Environment Department,’’ CNR has consecrated its aims to create a more consolidated and organized structure. The relationships of CNR with the scientific community in general are excellent and efforts are underway to engage other kinds of academic expertise. CNR is, in fact, reinforcing relationships with the Italian Mountain Institute (IMONT) and the Ev–K2–CNR Committee to operate more effectively as a national system.