How Switzerland lost 20 percent of its ice in five years | Climate Crisis News
Switzerland’s Glaciers Experience Significant Ice Loss Amid Climate Change
Switzerland’s glaciers are facing a concerning decline due to a combination of low snowfall in winter and record-high summer temperatures across Europe, experts report. In the past five years, one of the world’s premier ski destinations has lost nearly 20% of its glacial ice.
A report released Thursday by the Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network (GLAMOS) and the Swiss Commission for Cryosphere Observation of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) highlights a significant decline in ice volume. According to the report, Swiss glaciers lost 5.5% of their ice volume during the hydrologic year that ended on September 30, 2026, contributing to an overall loss of nearly 20% since 2021.
In September, a team from GLAMOS assessed 23 glaciers in Switzerland, measuring ice melt and snow accumulation at the summer’s end. At the Scex Rouge glacier in the Western Swiss Alps, GLAMOS chief Matthias Huss observed a measuring pole previously installed in July. Upon returning, he noted that the pole had shifted downward by three meters (approximately 10 feet), indicating a loss of ice even without considering the heatwaves of June and July.
“This clearly indicates that the conditions experienced this summer are unsustainable for the survival of these smaller glaciers in the Alps,” Huss stated.
The report revealed that the average thickness of glaciers in Switzerland has decreased by 2.5 to 4 meters in 2026, with some glacier tongues losing as much as 10 meters over the summer. Huss attributed the extensive ice loss to anthropogenic climate change, citing the summer as the hottest on record in Switzerland, alongside a lack of protective winter snowfall.
While all glaciers in Switzerland have been affected by the melting, smaller glaciers are shrinking more rapidly and some have vanished entirely. Larger glaciers, while still significant, have also experienced substantial ice loss. Researchers noted that from July to September alone, the glaciers released approximately 2.2 trillion liters (581 billion gallons) of water—more than four times the annual drinking water consumption of Swiss households—raising concerns about future water supplies.
The economic implications of glacier loss are significant for Switzerland, where winter sports and Alpine tourism rely heavily on glacial landscapes. Approximately 4% of the country’s workforce is employed in tourism, and Huss emphasized that the visual impact on the mountains is stark: “They are no longer white but increasingly grey and black.”
Additionally, glacial meltwater is critical for hydropower production and maintaining Europe’s largest rivers. As Huss explained, while Switzerland currently benefits from glacial water, the long-term potential of these resources is diminishing.
Harry Zekollari, a glaciologist and associate research professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, echoed these concerns. He highlighted the importance of glaciers as natural water reservoirs, providing essential water resources during the summer months when demand peaks. However, he cautioned that as glaciers continue to shrink, their capacity to supply water will decline significantly.
Zekollari also noted that changes in glaciers can lead to increased natural hazards, with consequences reaching far beyond Switzerland as the water ultimately contributes to rising ocean levels.
In terms of solutions, Zekollari stressed the urgency of stabilizing global temperatures. He indicated that if emissions are curtailed rapidly, it may be possible to preserve one-third of Switzerland’s glaciers. However, under scenarios of continued warming, projections estimate that over 90% of glacial volume could be lost by 2100.
While the situation is more hopeful for glaciers in other regions, global emissions will remain a significant determinant in the overall fate of these vital ice reserves. “Every 0.1 degree Celsius of warming matters,” Zekollari stated.
