This development is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions. A study by the University of Innsbruck, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that each kilogram of CO₂ emitted today will, in the long term, cause the melting of approximately 15 kg of ice.

As everywhere in the world, global warming is weakening Alpine glaciers. Their disappearance does not only threaten the iconic landscapes of our mountains: it also jeopardises our water resources, increases the risks associated with natural hazards, and compromises the future of many economic, tourism, and sporting activities.

Preserving glaciers is therefore a major challenge for present and future generations.

To slow summer melting, many glaciers have been covered with geotextile sheeting since the early 2000s. Although this technique makes it possible to temporarily limit ice loss, these covers gradually degrade under the impact of climatic conditions. As they fragment, they release microplastics that contaminate snow, ice, and mountain waters.

Glacier protection must not come at the expense of the quality of these ecosystems.

In order to explore more sustainable solutions, Summit Foundation is launching a new research project in collaboration with the University of Lausanne. The aim is to assess the feasibility of geotextiles made from sheep's wool as an alternative to the plastic sheeting currently in use.

Beyond their environmental potential, these new materials could also give a second life to a largely underused resource. In Switzerland, nearly 70% of the wool produced is currently destroyed, for lack of economic outlets.

This project thus aims to address two challenges simultaneously: reducing the pollution caused by geotextile covers used in mountain areas and valorising a local, natural, and renewable raw material.