School of GeoSciences researchers contribute to global UNESCO report warning of unprecedented glacier loss

Researchers from the School of GeoSciences have contributed to a major new international publication, coordinated by the UK National Commission for UNESCO, which highlights the accelerating decline of glaciers and ice sheets and their consequences for people and the planet.

Image showing glacier loss

The report, "Glaciers and Ice Sheets in a Warming World: Impacts and Outcomes", edited by Professor David J. Drewry (Chief Scientific Advisor, UK Commission for UNESCO) forms the UK’s scientific contribution to the United Nations International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP 2025), led by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organisation. 

Tackling the Decline of Glaciers from Space

Professor Noel Gourmelen, Chair of Earth Observation, authored Tackling the Decline of Glaciers from Space which explores the complex use of Earth Observation to monitor the global retreat of the Earth’s glaciers.  

Glaciers are rapidly declining, raising sea level, impacting water resources, and creating risks in mountainous areas. Managing these risks now and into the future rely on a solid global monitoring system. Thanks to advances in space technology, we can now monitor most of the 270,000 glaciers on Earth and create an accurate climate record. This record reveal that in the last 20 years, glaciers recede everywhere, and in regions like the European Alps, have decreased by nearly 40%. This new climate record will underpin better projection of future glacier evolution, will help us manage change and assess the impact of climate and energy policies.

Professor Noel Gourmelen Chair of Earth Observation, School of GeoSciences

Progressive un-anchoring of Antarctic ice shelves in increasing the rate of sea level rise

Dr Bertie Miles, Chancellors Fellow in Climate & Environmental Sustainability, authored Progressive un-anchoring of Antarctic ice shelves in increasing the rate of sea level rise, which details how warm ocean currents have progressively melted the undersides of floating ice shelves over the past five decades, causing them to detach from topographic highs that anchor them. Without this support, the ice shelves are unable to act as a ‘break’ on the glaciers behind them, so the ice flows faster into the ocean, leading to ice sheet mass loss. 

Antarctica is the single largest source of uncertainty in future sea-level projections. To manage this massive risk, we need to know how fast the ice sheet is responding to ocean warming. By utilizing historic satellite imagery dating back to 1973, we now have a clear 50-year timeline. This record shows that the anchors holding back the ice sheet from flowing more quickly into the ocean have been progressively melting away. This historical perspective is vital if we hope to reduce the uncertainty and better forecast Antarctica's contribution to global sea rise.

Dr Bertie Miles Chancellors Fellow in Climate & Environmental Sustainability, School of GeoSciences

The effects of climate change across the Antarctic Ice Sheet: Implications for global sea levels

Professor Robert Bingham, Chair of Glaciology and Geophysics, and Dr Helen Ockenden, graduate of the University of Edinburgh Cryosphere research group , authored The effects of climate change across the Antarctic Ice Sheet: Implications for global sea level which explores how satellite remote sensing is being used to monitor the degree to which warming in the atmosphere is causing coastal ice around Antarctica to retreat. 

While it's now beyond doubt that climate warming is accelerating the conversion of ice stored in Antarctica to rising oceans across the world, the key data that scientists need to predict how much and how rapidly this will continue over the coming decades lie beneath the ice. We currently struggle to forecast future change for Antarctica’s glaciers because so much of the land’s shape below the ice, which determines the friction between ice and rock, remains unknown.

Professor Robert Bingham Chair of Glaciology and Geophysics, School of GeoSciences

The report finds that since 2000, glaciers worldwide have lost more than 6,500 billion tonnes of ice, contributing roughly one-thid of current sea-level rise and reducing the availability of water to countless mountain communities. The loss rate has accelerated by more than a third in the past decade, underscoring the urgency of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. 

Lídia Arthur Brito, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences at UNESCO, said: 

“Glaciers play an essential role in sustaining ecosystems, regulating climate, and securing water resources for billions of people. I commend the UK National Commission for UNESCO for its leadership in publishing Glaciers and Ice Sheets in a Warming World, which makes a valuable contribution to the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences.” 

James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, said: 

“The story of the world’s glaciers is one of the clearest signals of our changing climate, and a reminder that science, policy and society must act together. This report contributes to the body of British research on the global stage, helping shape the knowledge, partnerships, and practical solutions needed to safeguard people and the planet.” 

About the UK National Commission for UNESCO

The UK National Commission for UNESCO connects the UK to UNESCO’s global mission in education, science, culture, and communication. It supports World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, Geoparks, and Creative Cities across the country, while fostering international collaboration and advancing the UK Sustainable Development Goals. Through its networks and programmes, it helps ensure that the UK plays a leading role in promoting peace, sustainability and cultural exchange worldwide. 

About the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP)

Adopted by the UN General Assembly, the IYGP aims to raise global awareness of glaciers’ critical role in ecosystems, economics and societies. UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) are coordinating scientific and policy initiatives throughout 2025, culminating each year on World Day for Glaciers (21 March). 

The School of GeoSciences is proud to contribute to this global effort, reaffirming the UK’s leadership in climate and cryosphere research and its commitment to UNESCO’s mission to advance knowledge and sustainability worldwide. 

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