Geoengineering on Mountain Glaciers

Details

Full Title
WS 3.123: Geoengineering on Mountain glaciers: Benefits versus Risks
Scheduled
TBA
Location
TBA
Convener
Birgit Sattler
Co-Conveners
Tom Battin, Sophia Mützel,
Assigned to Synthesis Workshop
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Thematic Focus
Cryo- & Hydrosphere, Sustainable Development
Keywords
muntain glaciers, geoengineering, ecological sustainability, upcycling, natural hazards

Description

Geoengineering applied to glaciers has emerged as a novel approach to mitigating the impacts of climate change on vital cryospheric systems. Mountain glaciers are essential for regulating freshwater availability, providing ecosystem services, and supporting leisure activities. However, they are retreating at alarming rates due to rising temperatures, putting local communities and regions especially like the Andes and the Himalayas under significant pressure regarding irrigation water and broader water security. Geoengineering strategies aim to preserve glacier mass, slow ice melt, and manage runoff to protect downstream ecosystems and communities. Key approaches include albedo enhancement through reflective materials to reduce solar absorption, artificial snow generation, and glacier insulation using physical coverings such as geotextiles. Emerging techniques, such as subglacial water flow management and thermal barriers, are also being explored to minimize basal ice melting. These strategies offer clear benefits for economically utilized glaciers, such as those supporting ski tourism, and could help reduce natural hazards as well as ensuring freshwater supplies. However, environmental risks arise when non-ecological measures are used, such as polypropylene geotextiles for ice insulation, which release microplastics into the environment. This calls for a critical discussion addressing the ethics of glacier geoengineering, the selection of effective and sustainable mitigation measures, and the urgent need to identify environmentally friendly materials to balance the benefits with ecological responsibility.

Submitted Abstracts

ID: 3.12202

Advancing Glacier Protection with Innovative Biodegradable Solutions

Jovana Husemann
Hoyme, Helge

Abstract/Description

In response to the accelerated retreat of mountain glaciers and the increasing incidence of natural hazards, innovative geoengineering strategies are critical to mitigating environmental risks and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Naue GlacierProtect, based on Secutex® Green G1 – a fully biodegradable, mechanically bonded nonwoven geotextile made entirely from renewable organic fibers – offers a promising, sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic solutions. Its biodegradability ensures that when it decomposes, the material is completely converted to biomass, CO2 and water, leaving no harmful residues. In addition, it actively promotes microbial and fungal activity, which is critical for nutrient cycling and glacier integrity.

The material exhibits high UV reflectivity and robust thermal insulation properties, effectively delaying glacier and snow melt and stabilizing glacier surfaces. In contrast to conventional polypropylene fabrics which are used for glacier cover and that are found to release persistent microplastics, this biobased and biodegradable solution supports natural ecological functions and adheres to eco-design principles throughout its lifecycle. A cradle-to-gate Environmental Product Declaration, conforming to EN 15804 standards and incorporating life cycle assessment of production (A1–A3) and end-of-life (C1–C4) phases, indicates a Global Warming Potential of only 2.67 kg CO₂ eq per m², with raw material extraction accounting for the majority of the impact. This low overall impact compares favorably with conventional synthetic alternatives. Its applications in glacier protection, snow farming, and alpine infrastructure protection are in line with Sustainable Development Goals 6, 9, 12, and 13.

This balanced approach, combining environmental protection with infrastructure development, demonstrates a scalable, repeatable strategy for nature-based geoengineering. Ultimately, Naue GlacierProtect represents a forward-looking solution for mitigating climate risks and promoting sustainable development in fragile mountain environments. By integrating materials science with ecological knowledge, this approach not only protects glaciers but also sets a new standard for sustainable geoengineering practices.

ID: 3.12599

Slowing Glacial Melt with Cellulose Textiles – On the Quest for Sustainable Materials

Birgit Sattler
Schwenter, Patrick; Cuzzeri, Alessandro; Summerer, Monika; Weisleitner, Klemens; Grube, Tabea

Abstract/Description

Climate change is placing immense pressure on winter tourism, particularly on ski resorts. In Austria, all glacial ski operators use polypropylene (PP) geotextile covers, deployed from May through the end of summer to enhance albedo. Currently, more than 100 hectares of glacier surfaces are covered. The mechanical benefits are clear: these covers help preserve over 2.5 meters of ice thickness per season, which is essential for maintaining ski slopes, critical infrastructure, and key areas that require stabilization.
However, from an environmental perspective, geotextile coverage is a compromise. While economically vital for ski resort operators, recent findings have identified these PP covers as a source of microplastic pollution. Over time, PP fibers are released from the fleece, dispersing into the surrounding environment and being transported to downstream habitats, including glacial rivers, via wind and meltwater. This poses a significant environmental risk. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Austria’s Environmental Agency incorporated it into the Action Plan Microplastics, prompting a strategic shift toward more sustainable solutions.
Now, an eco-friendly alternative is on the horizon. Over the past two summer seasons, cellulose-based fleece variants have been tested in field trials at Stubai Glacier, Austria. These assessments focused on technical performance—reflectivity, tear strength, and insulation—alongside environmental impacts such as chemical stability, microbial biodiversity, bacterial activity, and potential fiber release. While geotextile coverage inherently disrupts cryobiota by limiting atmospheric connectivity, cellulose-based textiles offer a more sustainable alternative. Through a collaborative effort between ski operators, manufacturers, and scientists, these biodegradable materials are being prioritized as replacements for polymer-based geotextiles in Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Additionally, cellulose-based fleeces can be integrated into circular economy models, allowing for recycling and even upcycling into new textiles made from reclaimed fibers.

ID: 3.12988

Introducing The Glacier Stewardship Program – an international team responding to the global loss of glaciers

Birgit Sattler
Battin, Tom J.; Betsou, Fay; Chapellaz, Jérôme; Edwards, Arwyn; Huss, Matthias; Jacquemart, Myléne; Zhang, Guoqing

Abstract/Description

Glaciers, which store 70% of Earth’s freshwater and support billions of people, are rapidly disappearing due to climate change. Even under the most ambitious climate targets, up to half of the world’s glaciers will vanish by the end of the century, leading to rising sea levels, food and water insecurity, and destabilized mountain regions. Glaciers also host unique microbial biodiversity, which is at risk of extinction. While reducing carbon emissions is crucial to slowing ice loss, additional measures are needed to safeguard glaciers.
In response, an international team of glacier scientists has launched the Glacier Stewardship Program, aligning with the UN’s International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (2025) and the UN Decade of Action for Cryospheric Research (2025–2034). This alliance of scientists will – in close cooperation with communities and stakeholders – address three priorities to help address the challenges and consequences of glacier loss: (1) developing and testing innovative local-scale interventions to slow ice loss on mountain glaciers in collaboration with communities, (2) enhancing early-warning systems to mitigate glacier-related hazards, and (3) creating a biobank to preserve glacier microbial biodiversity for future scientific research and climate change mitigation. By pioneering these efforts, the Glacier Stewardship Program aims to address the urgent and long-term consequences of glacier loss on ecosystems and human societies.

WS 3.122: Developing pathways to strengthen long-term socio-ecological research in mountain LTSER platforms

WS 3.124: Embracing the Unexpected: Learning from Unsuccessful or Unpredictable Experiments in Mountain Science

#IMC: September 14 - 18 2025

WS 3.123

Geoengineering on Mountain Glaciers

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