This year we celebrate glaciers on World Water Day (22 March), and the important role they play in our environment, and for water resources everywhere.

Glaciers are a source of drinking water across Europe as the meltwater supplies water sources. However the rate of melting – due to climate change, over-exploitation and pollution - is increasing.
Speaking about the importance of glaciers, Dimitris Tsiodras, MEP (GR, EPP, ENVI Committee) said “As Co-Chair of the MEP Group on Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Development, I join the global call to prioritise glacier preservation in our fight against climate change and water scarcity.

Glaciers are not only vital freshwater sources, but also key regulators of our climate. Their meltwater sustains ecosystems, supports economies, and secures the livelihoods of billions worldwide.
However, their rapid retreat and the further worsening of climate crisis exacerbates water scarcity, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Mediterranean basin, where increasing droughts, declining water reserves, and desertification threaten agriculture, biodiversity, and human well-being.”

Very few countries in Europe depend on glaciers for their water supplies. Once glaciers disappear, the immediate impact is a reduced flow of freshwater into our rivers and lakes, which serve as vital drinking water reservoirs. This results in lower water levels, potentially affecting water availability for households, agriculture, and industry. With less water stored in glaciers, Europe will become more reliant on rain events, increasing the risk of shortages during dry periods.

Mr Tsiodras continued “On this World Water Day, let us commit to undertaking urgent and coordinated action to address the accelerating loss of glaciers. The future of our water security and climate resilience depends on it.”