Ice Memory Foundation

The Ice Memory Foundation aims to collect, save and manage ice cores from selected glaciers currently in danger of degradation or disappearance, with their yielded information for decades and centuries to come. The Ice Memory Foundation federates the scientific and institutional communities in order to create, under international governance, an Antarctic repository of heritage ice cores. Future generation of scientists will therefore have access to high-quality ice cores in order to pursue their research. Safeguarding these ice cores is key to provide scientific advances and knowledge, that will ultimately contribute to the well-being of humanity. Launched in 2015, with a first operation in Mont Blanc, France in 2016, followed by 5 others ones (Illimani, Bolivia 2017 ; Elbrouz & Beloukha, Russia 2018 ; Grand Combin, Italy, Switzerland 2020 ; Monte Rosa Italy, Switzerland 2021) UNESCO's executive committee recognized the importance of safeguarding this scientific legacy in two resolutions in 2017 and 2018, encouraging nations to fully support ICE MEMORY. In 2021, a dedicated foundation has been created by 7 scientific institutions, whose Honorary President is His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. The governance of the Foundation is international and includes members from France, Italy, Switzerland, China and the United States, including 2 former IPCC Vice Presidents. The Foundation pilots the overall worldwide strategy, the links with institutional and scientific partners as well as the philanthropy. Founding institutions of the Ice Memory Foundation CNRS - France, IRD - France, University Grenoble Alpes -France, French Polar Institute I IPEV - France, CNR - Italy, Ca' Foscari University of Venice - Italy, Paul Scherrer Institute - Switzerland