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Switzerland and Italy have been forced to redraw their borders in the Alps as melting glaciers disrupt historically established boundaries between the two neighboring countries.
Both nations have accepted the new borders of the Matterhorn, which is located between the canton of Valais in Switzerland and the Aosta Valley in Italy.
Glaciers in Europe are greatly affected by global warming, mainly caused by human activity.
“Significant sections of the border are defined by watersheds or ridges of glaciers, snowfields or permanent snow. These formations are changing due to the melting of glaciers,” the Swiss government said in a statement quoted by Bloomberg.
The popular ski resort of Zermatt has been affected by the change, with the two countries having to amend their borders around the landmarks of the town perched at 1,620 metres above sea level.
A joint commission agreed to the border changes in May 2023, with Switzerland having already signed the treaty while Italy has yet to impose its signature.
In 2023, Swiss glaciers lost 4% of their volume, as reported by the Swiss Academy of Sciences.
