WMO: State of the Global Climate 2024 report

27 March 2025

The State of the Global Climate 2024 report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), published on 19 March 2025, confirms an alarming trend: from 2022 to 2024, glaciers experienced their largest three-year loss on record. Seven of the ten worst years for glacier mass loss have occurred since 2016, highlighting the rapid impact of climate change.

Glacier lake in Chile

According to the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), glaciers outside Greenland and Antarctica have lost over 9,000 billion tons of ice since 1975 - equivalent to a 25-meter-thick ice block the size of Germany. In the 2024 hydrological year, glaciers collectively lost 450 billion tons, making it the fourth most negative year on record.

While some areas, such as the Canadian Arctic, saw moderate losses, glaciers in Scandinavia, Svalbard, and North Asia recorded their highest annual loss. With glaciers playing a crucial role in water supply and ecosystems, their preservation remains a global priority.

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