The UN’s sustainable development goal 6.6 in Switzerland: the melting glaciers in the “water tower of Europe”

Bachelor's degree in Global Studies. Curs 2022-2023Tutor: Albert Presas PuigThis dissertation focuses on the critical situation of “water-related ecosystems”, notably glaciers, in the Swiss Alps during recent years. Its in crescendo melting due to climate change not only affects the photogenic landscape, and will likely affect the tourism industry, but worryingly threatens Central Europe’s water supply, as the Alps are the cradle of rivers such as the Rhine, Rhone and Po, as well as of three quarters of the Danube’s afluents. By understanding the state of affairs, through an approach based on geological data concerning permafrost levels and ice retreat, and a historical analysis of Swiss climatic policies and conception of the Alps, this will allow the reader to comprehend this issue in the Swiss context. Furthermore, an analysis of the political and social climate of the Swiss Confederation will also contribute to an explanation as to why such a European powerhouse fails to pass legislation to tackle climate change. Despite the monitoring of Swiss glaciers thanks to tools such as GLAMOS and the terms reached during the Paris Agreement, political action and citizen platforms are still attempting to tackle the issue by launching campaigns such as the Initiative pour les glaciers. Even with the extensive funds that the country has used to solve the situation, specific actions are just small victories in a tremendous war against climate change