Climate and Cryosphere is part of several international efforts to advance cryospheric science and research.
Choose a project below or scroll to learn more.
Upcoming Events Related to International Years and Decades
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas regarding CliC’s participation in any of the following initiatives, please reach out to us at info@climate-cryosphere.org.
IPY-5 in 2032-33 aims to address urgent global challenges by advancing polar research, focusing on the impacts of climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic. This coordinated effort will bring together scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, and global stakeholders to produce actionable insights for mitigating and adapting to environmental changes, while promoting international collaboration and inclusivity.
CliC Scientific Steering Group co-chair Edward Hanna serves as the CliC representative in the IPY Planning Group. CliC members have also been appointed to the following Task Groups:
If you have questions or comments on CliC’s participation in the IPY Planning Group, please contact the IPO at info@climate-cryosphere.org or Edward Hanna at ehanna@lincoln.ac.uk.
IPY Executive Committee
IPY Timeline
More information
Latest IPY News
Get involved in the 5th International Polar Year: ISC issues 3 calls for participation
OPEN CALL: ECR Feedback on IPY-5
Engage in the 5th International Polar Year: Opportunities and Updates
CliC launches “Years and Decades” Webpage
Now Available: International Polar Year 2032-2033 Updated Concept Note
Call for organisations to join the International Polar Year (IPY) 2032-33 Planning Group
International Polar Year 2032-33 planning workshop: Chemical, biogeochemical, and physical drivers of the coupled polar atmosphere and climate
In December 2022, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution to declare 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, accompanied by the proclamation of March 21st of each year as the World Day for Glaciers starting in 2025. (For more details on the March 2025 event, read the agenda in English or French.)
The International Year and World Day for Glaciers aim to raise global awareness about the critical role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system and the hydrological cycle, and the economic, social and environmental impacts of the impending changes in the Earth’s cryosphere, as well as to share best practices and knowledge in this regard and in addressing issues related to accelerated melting of glaciers and its consequences.
UNESCO and WMO, in collaboration with governments and relevant organizations, are invited to facilitate the implementation of the International Year and World Day as leading agencies. The coordination efforts are supported by an Advisory Board and four Task Forces representing over 75 international organizations and 35 countries.
Raymond S. Bradley, ex officio member of the CliC Scientific Steering Group, represents Climate and Cryosphere on the Advisory Board.
Introduction to IYGP 2025
More information
Latest IYGP News
REGISTER NOW: World Day for Glaciers 2026 and CliC Side Event
Call for expressions of interest: World Day for Glaciers 2026
High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation: Dushanbe Declaration
NEW STUDY: Glacier preservation doubled by limiting warming to 1.5°C versus 2.7°C
Open Call: ECR Lightning Talks at the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation
CliC at the 1st World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day 2025
CliC launches “Years and Decades” Webpage
Call for Papers: Vanishing Glaciers
WATCH NOW: CliC IC-MontC Side Event at the IYGP Launch Recordings Available
International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025: Official launch and CliC side event
In August 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution to declare the period from 2025 to 2034 as the “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences”. This initiative, championed by the Republic of France and the Republic of Tajikistan and supported by a coalition of nations, aims to stimulate international scientific cooperation and foster sustainable development efforts in response to the alarming impact of climate change on glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost. The UNGA’s declaration calls for intensified global cooperation to advance scientific research and monitoring of the cryosphere, aiming to develop strategies that can mitigate the impacts of these changes and promote sustainable development.
A dedicated brainstorming session during the March 2025 World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day celebrations in Paris convened policymakers, scientists, and civil society to outline the priorities for the Decade of Action. With UNESCO serving as the coordinating agency, the session identified innovative research approaches, fostered cross-border partnerships, and strengthened the integration of cryospheric science into global climate adaptation strategies. The session also highlighted the critical role of glaciers and the cryosphere in regulating freshwater resources. For more details, read the agenda in English or French.
CliC was represented at the March 2025 event by Keith Alverson (Executive Director of the CliC IPO) and three members of our Scientific Steering Group: Mine Islar, Miriam Jackson, and Yao Tandong.
Introduction to the Decade of Action
More information
Latest Decade of Action News
OPEN CALL: CliC Special Issue of Advances in Atmospheric Sciences (AAS)
REGISTER NOW: World Day for Glaciers 2026 and CliC Side Event
Call for expressions of interest: Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034) governing structures
High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation: Dushanbe Declaration
CliC at the 1st World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day 2025
CliC launches “Years and Decades” Webpage
United Nations adopts resolution to establish the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, 2025–2034
United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want
Transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and our ocean.
Launched in January 2021, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), the ‘Ocean Decade’, provides a convening framework for a wide range of stakeholders across the world to engage and collaborate outside their traditional communities to trigger nothing less than a revolution in ocean science.
Throughout the Ocean Decade, partners will generate the data, information and knowledge needed for more robust science-informed policies and stronger science-policy interfaces at global, regional, national and even local levels. By collectively aligning research, investments and initiatives around a set of common challenges, the Ocean Decade community will contribute to a well functioning, productive, resilient, sustainable and inspiring ocean.
Juan Höfer, member of the CliC Scientific Steering Group, serves as our liaison to the UN Ocean Decade.
Implemented as part of the UN Ocean Decade, International Science & Infrastructure for Synchronous Observation (Antarctica InSync) is a regional research programme for a circumpolar assessment of the connections between ice, ocean, climate, environment and life, including human pressures, and their solutions such as marine protection. Antarctica InSync aims to create synergies between national Antarctic programs for synchronous observation, addressing key knowledge gaps and contributing to the goals of the Ocean Decade. Members of Antarctic research institutions, international science frameworks, policy stakeholders, NGOs, foundations, and industry partners are invited to join the endeavor. For more information, visit the Antarctica InSync website or check out the Fact Sheet below.
Petra Heil, co-chair of ASPeCt, serves as CliC’s liaison to Antarctica InSync.
10 Challenges for Collective Impact
7 Ocean Decade Outcomes
