UN-report: Europe’s glaciers are melting fast

Europe’s glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, with profound consequences for water security, ecosystems, and climate resilience across the continent. The newly released United Nations World Water Development Report 2025, titled ‘Mountains and glaciers: Water towers’, doesn’t beat about the bush. In Europe, the Alps and Carpathians are showing clear signs of accelerated glacial retreat, reduced snow cover, and thawing permafrost.

All over the world the mountain cryosphere (all frozen water in mountain regions) is shrinking rapidly due to climate change. Water flow patterns are becoming increasingly erratic and unpredictable. Mountain regions are particularly vulnerable to global warming, according to the UN-report that was released on World Water Day on March 22. These changes are not only destabilizing ecosystems but also threatening the reliability of water supplies for millions of Europeans.

Europe’s glaciers: Alps

The Alps, spanning eight countries and feeding the rivers Danube, Po, Rhine, and Rhône, are central to Europe’s freshwater system. According to the report, by 2100, annual runoff from the glaciated areas of the Alps could drop by nearly 45%, leading to a total reduction in river discharge of 35% relative to 2006. Such shifts will deeply impact water availability for hydropower, agriculture, tourism, and biodiversity.

Europe’s glaciers: Carpathian mountains

The Carpathian mountains, shared by seven countries, are equally vulnerable. Agriculture-driven pollution, unsustainable forestry, and changing land use threaten vital water ecosystems. Climate change compounds these issues, bringing longer dry spells, shorter snow seasons, and more frequent flash floods. Yet, regional collaboration remains inconsistent.

Water towers of the planet

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlights the urgency of preserving glaciers and mountain water in the UN-report. “We all depend in some way on mountains and glaciers – the water towers of our planet. Mountains cover 33 million km2 of the Earth’s surface and are vital for sustaining life. They are home to over 1.1 billion people, or 15% of the world’s population. Moreover, a further 2 billion people downstream depend on these natural reservoirs for freshwater resources from melting glaciers”, writes Azoulay.

Reduced buffer capacity

Snowmelt remains the dominant contributor to streamflow in most cryosphere-influenced basins. Due to warming temperatures the volume and timing of meltwater is shifting. This reduces the natural buffering capacity of mountains. The growing presence of dust, soot, and microbial growth on glaciers further accelerates melting by darkening ice surfaces and reducing their reflectivity. As glaciers shrink, downstream flows will become increasingly unreliable, with greater risks of flooding, erosion, and sediment transport. In mountainous regions, communities also face escalating natural hazards like avalanches, rockfalls, glacial lake outburst floods, and landslides.

Governance challenges

Despite their importance, water governance frameworks for mountain areas remain underdeveloped. While Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is well established in lowlands, mountain-specific policies and coordinated action remain fragmented. The complex nature of mountain hydrology, combined with administrative boundaries, complicates effective governance. Most rivers originating in mountains cross borders, making transboundary cooperation essential. Yet, conflicting national interests and weak institutional coordination often hinder progress. The Alpine Convention, signed by eight countries, offers a promising model. It emphasizes sustainable development and risk management, aiming for climate-neutral and resilient Alps by 2050. But implementation challenges persist, particularly in reconciling local and regional priorities.

Urgent call for systemic responses

The 2025 UN report stresses the need for inclusive governance, robust watershed management, and locally appropriate adaptation strategies. Restoring wetlands, reforesting catchment areas, and enhancing natural water retention are seen as solutions to build long-term resilience. Technological adaptations – such as insulating glacier surfaces or creating artificial snow and ice structures – show promise but can spark water use conflicts and are often ecologically disruptive. More systemic responses, including better data collection at high altitudes and greater access to international climate finance, are urgently required. The designation of 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation and the recognition of March 21 as the World Day for Glaciers are meant to raise awareness.