Switzerland and Italy will change their border in the Alps due to melting glaciers caused by climate change. Part of the affected area is under the Matterhorn, one of the highest mountains in Europe, the BBC reports.
Large sections of the Swiss-Italian border are defined by glacier ridges and areas of permanent snow, but melting glaciers have displaced these natural boundaries, forcing both countries to redraw the border.
Switzerland formally approved the deal on the amendment on Friday, but Italy has yet to do the same. The change follows a draft drawn up by a joint Swiss-Italian commission in May 2023.
Swiss glaciers lost 4% of their volume in 2023
Statistics published last September showed that Swiss glaciers lost 4% of their volume in 2023, the second largest loss ever recorded, after a record 6% melt in 2022. The Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network (Glamos ) publishes a report every year, which attributes the record losses to very warm summers in recent years and very little snow in the winter of 2022. Researchers say that if these weather phenomena continue, the thaw will accelerate.
Switzerland said the new borders were drawn up in accordance with the economic interests of both sides. They will be modified in the Plateau Rosa region, the Carrel refuge and Gobba di Rollin, located near the Matterhorn mountain and several popular ski resorts, including Zermatt.
The exact border changes will be implemented and the agreement will be published after both countries sign it. Switzerland says the approval process for signing the agreement is ongoing in Italy.
Source: www.descopera.ro
