Event
Launch of the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences
Earth’s frozen regions - glaciers, ice sheets, permafrost, and sea ice - are melting faster than ever before. Together, they hold 70% of the world’s freshwater and support billions of lives. But their rapid decline threatens water supplies, ecosystems, infrastructure, and global sea levels.
To meet this urgent challenge, the UN has declared 2025–2034 the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, with UNESCO leading efforts to boost climate research, foster global cooperation, and drive solutions to protect our planet’s cryosphere.
About the event
The Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences will officially launch on 8 June 2025 at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). This high-level event will be co-hosted by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside world leaders, UN officials, and leading scientists.
This milestone gathering will kick off a decade of global collaboration to protect the cryosphere—our planet’s frozen systems that are vital to climate stability and water security. It’s a powerful call to unite science, policy, and communities for urgent action.
Key objectives of the Decade
The Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences will focus on:
- Advancing cryosphere science: Strengthen observation, modelling, and forecasting systems, including creating a comprehensive Cryosphere Atlas and global monitoring system.
- Closing capacity gaps: Support training, curriculum development, citizen science, and regional knowledge hubs, especially in high mountain and polar regions.
- Promoting adaptation strategies: Co-design solutions with local and Indigenous communities focusing on water security, infrastructure risk, and cultural preservation.
- Strengthening policy engagement: Bring cryosphere knowledge into global and national policy frameworks and climate processes.
- Addressing financing gaps: Promote increased support for monitoring, inclusive adaptation, and urgent emissions reduction.
- Promoting transdisciplinary research: Integrate natural sciences and social sciences
Why a decade of Cryospheric sciences ?
The cryosphere is vital for climate stability and freshwater supply—yet it's melting at an alarming rate due to climate change. Key facts highlight the urgency:
2 billion people rely on glaciers and snow for water, food, and energy.
The Arctic is warming nearly 3x faster than the global average.
Every second, enough ice melts to fill three Olympic swimming pools.
Sea level rise is accelerating—now 2.5x faster than in the early 20th century.
A full melt of Antarctica’s ice sheet would raise sea levels by 58 meters.
Thawing permafrost could unleash massive greenhouse gas emissions.
The Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences is a critical chance to unite globally—advancing science, managing climate risks, and building resilient communities
Participation
This event is a closed, invitation-only event and is not open to the public. Selected participants will receive official communication with further details
Contact
For inquiries about the event, please contact the IHP Secretariat at: ihp@unesco.org
