Italian Alps

WHERE? The Monte Rosa glacier system is one of the biggest glacier bodies in Italy. In particular, the Lys and the Évançon are two glacier basins of the Monte Rosa that feed the Dora Baltea River and later the Po River (the main river in northern Italy). The Lys basin covers an area of 280 km² with a predominant south-facing exposure. Ca. 15 km² is covered by glacial areas located at the head of the basin. The Lys Torrent, stretching over 38 km, is a left-bank tributary of the Dora Baltea. The Evançon basin covers an area of 245 km² with ca. 15 km² glaciated. The main stream and a left-bank tributary of the Dora Baltea is the Evançon, which is approximately 31 km long.

WHY? Beyond water availability, declining glacier melt can impact agriculture, disrupt ecosystems, and affect the livelihoods of communities reliant on these water sources. In the Lys and Évançon basins, meltwater from snow and ice supports four hydroelectric power plants, playing a key role in energy production. Additionally, the Monte Rosa region, known for winter tourism, faces economic challenges as shorter snow seasons threaten its tourism industry.