World Heritage Glaciers: Sentinels of Climate Change

It outlines the importance of glaciers for sustaining life, their role as indicators of climate change, and their accelerated retreat due to global warming. The report emphasizes the urgent need to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C, which could save glaciers in two-thirds of World Heritage sites. Additionally, it underscores the importance of adaptive measures like improved monitoring networks, early warning systems, and targeted policies to address the inevitable changes in glacierized areas. It also advocates for inclusive stakeholder engagement, particularly involving Indigenous Peoples and local communities, to develop effective responses to the challenges posed by climate change. The document serves as a call to action for international cooperation and collaboration to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage glaciers and ensure their continued benefits for humanity.