Swiss glaciers have lost about a quarter of their total volume over the past decade, according to a new study. The Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland (GLAMOS) network reported that 2025 saw another year of “enormous” melting, almost matching the record levels of 2022.
This year alone, glaciers in Switzerland lost three percent of their volume. A winter with very little snow, followed by intense summer heatwaves in June and August, drove much of the decline. Researchers said it was the fourth-largest annual loss since monitoring began, with only 2022, 2023, and 2003 recording bigger reductions.
Swiss glaciers have been retreating for more than a century, but the pace of change has accelerated sharply in the last ten years. Scientists warn that losing one-quarter of the ice volume in such a short time signals a dangerous trend.
The report highlights major risks linked to shrinking glaciers. Switzerland relies heavily on its glaciers for freshwater supplies that feed rivers and reservoirs across Europe. Continued losses may increase the risk of droughts, water shortages, and damage to local ecosystems. Communities in Alpine regions also face greater threats from landslides and glacial lake overflows.
Tourism, one of Switzerland’s most important industries, could also be affected as the country’s iconic Alpine landscapes transform. Researchers stress that unless global greenhouse gas emissions are cut significantly, many small glaciers in the Alps could disappear entirely in the next few decades.
The GLAMOS team called for urgent action to slow down the melting. They emphasized that climate change is already visible in Switzerland’s mountains, and that these glaciers are acting as a warning sign of broader global risks.
The findings also come at a time when global markets and economies are reacting to other forms of instability. Recently, gold prices reached a record high as investors turned to safe assets during financial uncertainty. Much like the markets respond to instability, scientists say glaciers respond directly to rising global temperatures, offering a clear signal of the challenges ahead.
With glaciers shrinking faster than ever, Switzerland faces the urgent task of preserving what remains. The report makes clear that the window for effective action is narrowing, and that the dramatic changes in the Alps are already shaping the country’s future.
