The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) finds that some of the world’s most iconic glaciers are set to disappear by 2050.

A new study by UNESCO highlighted the accelerated melting of glaciers in world heritage sites, noting that glaciers in a third of sites are under threat, regardless of efforts to limit temperature increases.

However, the study outlines that it is still possible to save the other two-thirds if the rise in global temperatures does not exceed 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial era.

UNESCO, in a statement on Thursday, stated that this would be a major challenge facing delegates at the upcoming COP27 in Egypt.

Fifty UNESCO World Heritage sites are home to glaciers, representing almost 10 per cent of the Earth’s total glacierized area. They include the highest (next to Mt. Everest), the longest (in Alaska), and the last remaining glaciers in Africa.

The UNESCO study, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), shows that these glaciers have been retreating at an accelerated rate since 2000 due to CO2 emissions, which are warming temperatures.

They are currently losing 58 billion tons of ice every year – equivalent to France and Spain’s combined annual water use – and are responsible for nearly five per cent of observed global sea-level rise. The glaciers under threat are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania.

“This report is a call to action. Only a rapid reduction in our CO2 emissions levels can save glaciers and the exceptional biodiversity that depends on them. COP27 will have a crucial role to help find solutions to this issue. UNESCO is determined to support states in pursuing this goal,” stated Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s director-general.

In addition to drastically reducing carbon emissions, UNESCO is advocating for creating a new international fund for glacier monitoring and preservation.

“When glaciers melt rapidly, millions of people face water scarcity and the increased risk of natural disasters such as flooding, and millions more may be displaced by the resulting rise in sea levels,” said IUCN director-general Bruno Oberle.

Mr Oberle added, “This study highlights the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and invest in Nature-based Solutions, which can help mitigate climate change and allow people to better adapt to its impacts.”  

(NAN)