CPOM@EGU26 Blog – UKESM simulations incorporating ice-climate dynamics project accelerated mass loss of the Greenland ice sheet after 2100
3rd May 2026
CPOM Doctoral Researcher Yiliang Ma (SCENARIO DTP, University of Reading) will present this science as part of Session CR2.2 on Monday, 04 May, 17:00–17:10 (CEST) in Room L2.
Ice–climate feedbacks, the ways in which ice and climate mutually influence and compound each other, are a crucial element in the mechanisms of ice loss in ice sheets. However, many Earth System Models, designed to project climate change, fail to treat ice sheets as interactive components.
This study, led by Yiliang Ma, uses state-of-the-art UK Earth System Model (UKESM) to run two multi-century climate simulations under high-emissions forcing (SSP5–8.5) to compare and quantify the difference between projects of an evolving Greenland ice sheet against a static one.
Yiliang and the team explored the impacts of incorporating ice-climate feedbacks which showed that a reduction in surface albedo as ice is replaced by darker rock, combined with reduced ice sheet elevation, causes more solar energy to be absorbed and accelerates warming, increasing mass loss.
This research emphasises the importance of Earth System Models incorporating a dynamic Greenland ice sheet. As the ice sheet could contribute 7m to global sea levels it’s crucial feedback loops like those identified in these simulations are reflected in future projections of ice melt, particularly when predicting sea level rise.
Find out more by reading the abstract and attending their presentation online or in-person at EGU26.
