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Indicator Specification
The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are important in the global climate system. This indicator documents recent changes in the ice sheets and discusses the potential consequences associated with projections. Note that the land-based, permanent Antarctic ice sheet should not be confused with Antarctic sea ice, which covers the ocean and changes strongly with the seasons. Together, the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets contain more than 99 % of the freshwater ice on Earth.
The change in the amount of ice in the ice sheets, known as the ‘mass balance’, is an important indicator that can document loss of ice. An increased rate of mass loss results in a faster rise in the global mean sea level. A net mass loss of 362.5 billion tonnes corresponds to a 1 mm sea level rise. Owing to gravitational forces, the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet contributes more to sea level rise in the northern hemisphere than the melting of the Greenland ice sheet. In addition, meltwater from the ice sheets reduces the salinity of the surrounding ocean, with potential feedback to the climate system.
An upper layer of fresher water may reduce the formation of dense deep water, one of the mechanisms driving global ocean circulation. Recent freshening in the vicinity of Greenland has contributed to changes that may weaken the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, with cooler winters and summers around the North Atlantic a potential consequence, but uncertainties are still significant.
In April 2013, the European Commission presented the EU adaptation strategy package. This package consists of the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change (COM/2013/216 final) and a number of supporting documents. The overall aim of the EU adaptation strategy is to contribute to a more climate-resilient Europe. One of the objectives of the EU adaptation strategy is to allow 'Better informed decision-making'. This will be achieved by bridging knowledge gaps and further developing the European climate adaptation platform (Climate-ADAPT) as the ‘first-stop shop’ for adaptation information in Europe. Climate-ADAPT has been developed jointly by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) to share knowledge on (1) observed and projected climate change and its impacts on environmental and social systems and on human health, (2) relevant research, (3) EU, transnational, national and subnational adaptation strategies and plans, and (4) adaptation case studies. It was relaunched in early 2019 with a new design and updated content. Further objectives include 'Promoting adaptation in key vulnerable sectors through climate-proofing EU sector policies' and 'Promoting action by Member States'.
In November 2018, the Commission published its evaluation of the 2013 EU adaptation strategy. The evaluation package includes a report from the Commission, a Commission staff working document, adaptation preparedness scoreboard country fiches and reports from the JRC Peseta III project. This evaluation includes recommendations for the further development and implementation of adaptation policies at all levels.
In November 2013, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted the EU's Seventh Environment Action Programme (7th EAP) to 2020, ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet’. The 7th EAP is intended to help guide EU action on the environment and climate change up to and beyond 2020. It highlights that ‘Action to mitigate and adapt to climate change will increase the resilience of the Union’s economy and society, while stimulating innovation and protecting the Union’s natural resources.’ Consequently, several priority objectives of the 7th EAP refer to climate change adaptation.
No targets have been specified.
To estimate the mass balance of the polar ice sheets, an ensemble of satellite altimetry, interferometry and gravimetry data sets using common geographical regions, time intervals and models of surface mass balance and glacial isostatic adjustment has been used.
Not applicable.
No methodology references available.
Not applicable.
Data on the cryosphere vary significantly with regard to availability and quality. Snow and ice cover have been monitored globally since satellite measurements started in the 1970s. Improved technology allows for more detailed observations and observations of a higher resolution. Direct historical area-wide data on the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets cover about 20 years, but reconstructions give a 200 000-year perspective.
Continuous efforts are being made to improve knowledge of the cryosphere. Scenarios for the future development of key components of the cryosphere are available from Phase 5 of the World Climate Research Programme Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and continue to be developed in CMIP6. Owing to their economic importance, considerable efforts have also been devoted to improving real-time monitoring of snow cover and sea ice.
Not applicable.
Work specified here requires to be completed within 1 year from now.
Work specified here will require more than 1 year (from now) to be completed.
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/greenland-ice-sheet-4 or scan the QR code.
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