As climate change accelerates the melting of glaciers in Europe, Switzerland and Italy have agreed to modify their border, which traverses the iconic Matterhorn peak.
This adjustment reflects the shifting landscape caused by climate breakdown, with glaciers retreating at an unprecedented rate across the continent, which is warming faster than any other.
The new border modifications, approved by a joint commission in May 2023, are primarily based on the changing geographical features dictated by glacial formations.
The Swiss government highlighted that “significant sections of the border are defined by the watershed or ridge lines of glaciers, firn or perpetual snow,” emphasizing that these natural landmarks are transforming as glaciers continue to melt.
Melting glaciers reshape borders, highlighting urgent climate challenges facing Europe’s Alpine regions today.The modifications will impact the renowned Zermatt ski resort, necessitating adjustments around key locations such as Testa Grigia, Plateau Rosa, and Gobba di Rollin, all of which are vital for both countries’ economic interests. While Switzerland has officially ratified the treaty, Italy is still in the process of approval.
The urgency of these changes is underscored by alarming statistics from the Swiss Academy of Sciences, which reported a 4% loss in the volume of Swiss glaciers in 2023, the second-largest annual decline on record.
Some glaciers have been so significantly depleted that experts have ceased measuring them due to the absence of remaining ice.
The situation is mirrored in Italy, where the Marmolada glacier—once a proud symbol of the Dolomites—could vanish entirely by 2040 due to rising temperatures.
The ongoing glacial retreat serves as a stark reminder of the profound impacts of climate change, with experts noting that the Marmolada has been a “natural thermometer” of environmental shifts since 1902.