GP2025 IGNITE Stage – Glacier-related disaster risk reduction: Enhancing resilience from mountains to valleys

Date and Time

Thursday, 5 June 2025, 09:30-09:45 (CEST) – Geneva, International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG)

Summary

Highlighting insights from a global review and case studies, this IGNITE stage presentation raises awareness of the growing risks of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods due to climate change, while spotlighting best practices and key success factors for effective glacier-related disaster risk reduction.

What makes GLOFs an important topic?

GLOFs, or Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, occur when glacial lakes suddenly drain, posing significant risks to surrounding areas. These glacial lakes form when moraines (deposits of debris left by glaciers), ice, or rock create dams that hold back meltwater. When these natural dams fail — triggered by ice or rock avalanches, the collapse of moraines due to excessive lake water, melting, or earthquakes — the resulting GLOFs can cause severe disasters. Such events have occurred in various regions, including the Alps, Andes, and Himalayas.

Approximately 15 million people worldwide are already exposed to potential GLOFs. These major hazards can devastate communities and infrastructure and pose a severe, and deadly threat to nearby populations. Risks from GLOFs are expected to increase as new lakes form from melting and rapidly retreating glaciers due to climate change. The number of glacial lakes has increased by 53% since 1990, and, coupled with the growing downstream populations, communities and infrastructure have become further exposed to potential risks. As climate change impacts intensify in conjunction with this development, GLOFs may leave even more communities and infrastructure at risk of dangerous outbursts.   

Key success factors for effective glacier-related disaster risk reduction?

Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies that are already being implemented to protect communities and infrastructure from GLOFs, such as lowering water levels and developing early warning systems. A global review of 100 GLOF risk management solutions highlights the importance of addressing hazards while simultaneously reducing exposure and vulnerability. Effective GLOF risk reduction must be part of an integrated, multi-hazard management approach that considers cascading hazards and their impacts. Success also depends on strong coordination, stable governance, and the incorporation of local culture, socio-economic contexts, and community knowledge and perceptions. Despite the availability of these solutions, some residual GLOF risks still require insurance or financial support to ensure comprehensive risk management.

The IGNITE Stage presentation

The IGNITE Stage presentation showcases the results from a global review of solutions. The presentation will explore different case studies and highlight the key recommendations for implementing future measures to better respond to GLOF risks in the face of climate change. The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 is a timely opportunity to guide efforts toward enhancing the resilience of mountain communities and downstream populations.

Speakers

• Alex Mackey, Zoï Environment Network
• Johanna Zwahlen, Zoï Environment Network