September 24th, 2024 is an important milestone in the history of climate change: the Federal Council of Switzerland, in fact, has decided to move the border with the neighboring country Italy as Alpine glaciers retreat [1]. This change is regarding a parcel of land in Monte Cervino (the third tallest mountain of Italy). This remarkable phenomenon shows how national boundaries, once thought to be permanently fixed by mountainous geography, are being forced to adapt to our changing climate.

The Alpine glaciers are experiencing unprecedented rates of retreat. Between 1850 and 2017, the Alps lost approximately 50% of their ice volume. The process accelerates during summer months, when temperatures can exceed 0°C even at high altitudes, causing surface melting of the glaciers, internal deformation of the ice mass and basal sliding of the glacier bed [2]. Scientists track these changes using multiple methods like satellite imagery and remote sensing as well as ground-penetrating radar to measure ice thickness and all this data shows that Alpine glaciers are losing 2-3% of their volume annually, with some locations experiencing even faster retreat rates. This loss of land is what has pushed Switzerland to re-draw its border with Italy which runs for approximately 744 kilometers, much of it following the natural watershed divide in the Alps. Traditionally, these boundaries were determined by the flow of meltwater from glaciers – water flowing north would be considered Swiss territory, while water flowing south would be Italian but now it is not possible anymore since climate change is impacting on the natural conditions. 

Current models predict that 50% of the remaining Alpine glaciers will disappear by 2050 and the continuous acceleration in ice loss is contributing to an increased frequency of land loss and landslides which are creating opportunities for an even higher land scarcity.  As the glacier has melted, the highest points – and so the ridge joining them – have moved a little further into Italian territory. In other words, the Swiss will gain a bit of territory under the new border agreement. According to a report from the Swiss Academy of Sciences, Swiss glaciers have shown a loss up to 4% of their volume in 2023 with the largest decline at 6% in 2022. That is a 10%  cumulative loss of their ice volume over the past two years with further losses anticipated in the foreseeable future [3].

Other cases worldwide have called for attention, like the Chile-Argentina border in the Andes that ended with the 1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship framework and the India-China Himalayan Border over the Siachen Glacier disputes between 1984 and 2003 [4].

Reasons underlying the need to redraw the border are mainly economical: Switzerland is known for its ski resorts which will have to be redesigned in case the country is losing land. Resorts will otherwise have to be relocated and new safety protocols will have to be issued for the changing conditions. The operation is also necessary to make sure that mountain lodges are safe and so insurance and liability considerations will have to be drafted.  Still, even with a shifting border, the neighbours will need to collaborate. Avalanches, for instance, do not respect borders but this can complicate issues when it comes to footing the bill for damage or lost lives.

The shifting Swiss-Italian border represents more than a geographical curiosity – it points to the need for international cooperation in the face of climate change. As climate change continues to reshape our physical world, the flexibility and cooperation demonstrated by Switzerland and Italy offer a model for addressing these unprecedented changes through diplomatic collaboration rather than conflict as happened in many other cases, including those outlined above.

This evolving situation reminds us that even the most fundamental aspects of nationhood – borders themselves – must adapt to our changing world. The future will likely require more such innovative approaches to traditional concepts of sovereignty and territorial boundaries.

Related articles:

Cover- and preview image: Matterhorn. Photo by Jonathan Sollender on unsplash.com