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Basecamp 2023

Revitalising valleys, identifying with landscapes, climbing more sustainably, using old irrigation systems innovatively, eating radically and locally: 18 participants honed such project ideas at the second “Alpine Changemaker Basecamp” (ACB), held in Silandro/I at the beginning of July 2023.

Basecamp 2021

Integrating marginalised groups better, reviving ghost towns in the Alps, or organising a meeting on «Rural Commons»: the first «Alpine Changemaker Basecamp» (ACB) in Valposchiavo/CH at the beginning of July 2021 saw around 30 participants from the Alpine region further developing their projects for a liveable future in the Alps.

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Changing the Alps together

Integrating marginalised groups better, reviving ghost towns in the Alps, or organising a meeting on “Rural Commons”: the first “Alpine Changemaker Basecamp” (ACB) in Valposchiavo/CH at the beginning of July 2021 saw around 30 participants from the Alpine region further developing their projects for a liveable future in the Alps.

How much is nature worth?

Alpine pastures that provide us with food. Trees that provide a pleasant microclimate. Alpine landscapes that heal and touch. At the beginning of July 2021, around 100 participants from all Alpine countries discussed the benefits and value of nature in the Alpine region at CIPRA’s Annual Conference in Biella/I.

Point of view: We need an Alpine Ticket for public transport

Homeschooling, no public transport and closed borders: the corona crisis has revealed some aspects of life that people did not previously appreciate so much. An Alps-wide ticket for public transport could tackle all of these issues, as Rok Brišnik explains. He studies Geography and History at the University of Ljubljana/SI and is a member of the CIPRA Youth Council (CYC).

Climate protection: from plan to action

The Alps as a climate-neutral, climate-resistant region by 2050: this is the objective of the newly launched “Climate Action Plan 2.0” of the Alpine Convention. Concrete steps will now follow in such areas as mountain farming, spatial planning and biodiversity.

Ill-chosen incentives may fuel transit

More e-trucks instead of a shift to rail: a new EU directive could further fuel the burden of freight traffic through the Alps.

Pilot regions

New dual leadership for CIPRA

Bianca Elzenbaumer and Serena Arduino are the new Co-Presidents of CIPRA International. They succeed Katharina Conradin, who has been in office for almost seven years.

CO2 legislation: more courage needed

While the new CO2 law in Switzerland has for the time being failed, a climate protection alliance is forming in Bavaria; Austria is discussing a climate protection law; and in France the Climate Council is taking courageous decisions.

GraubündenPlus

AlpTick is our idea of one ticket for all public transport in the whole Alpine region. The work of the CIPRA Youth Council (CYC) has finally borne fruit. This year, travellers to Switzerland will be the first to experience our mini AlpTick creation: Sustainable travel is one step closer to the goal of a unified Alpine ticket for trains and buses with the Graubündenplus ticket.

GraubündenPlus

AlpTick is our idea of one ticket for all public transport in the whole Alpine region. The work of the CIPRA Youth Council (CYC) has finally borne fruit. This year, travellers to Switzerland will be the first to experience our mini AlpTick creation: Sustainable travel is one step closer to the goal of a unified Alpine ticket for trains and buses with the Graubündenplus ticket.

“Netzwerkstatt Alpen” ceremonially opened

The official inauguration of the building, an open day and a visit from the “Klimaspuren”: a number of events took place at the “Netzwerkstatt Alpen” in Schaan/LI on the occasion of World Environment Day and the Alpine-wide Climate Hour.

Dangers with wolves

The wolves are back: a CIPRA project now sheds light on why transparent communication, professional herding and more networking are needed.

Dutch-Alpine partnership for sustainable tourism

Since 2021 the Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Association (NKBV) is new supporting member of CIPRA International. Regarding the large impact of Dutch visitors, the aim of the partnership is to contribute to sustainability in Alpine tourism.

Dutch-Alpine partnership for sustainable tourism

Since January 2021 the Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Association (NKBV) is new supporting member of CIPRA International. Regarding the large impact of Dutch visitors, the aim of the partnership is to contribute to sustainability in Alpine tourism.

Mountaineering villages: from the Western Alps to the Mediterranean Sea

The “Mountaineering Villages” initiative unites small communities in the Alpine region that focus on gentle tourism and nature conservation. Now there are six new members from Italy, Austria and, for the first time, Switzerland.

Strange but true!

A “vision,” an innovative “lighthouse project” with “international appeal” – while countless cannons provide the necessary snow in other Alpine regions, eastern Switzerland is planning something really big: an indoor snow sports facility in a mountain tunnel in Flums. What is already possible on Dubai’s indoor ski slope, namely weather-independent winter sports, is to become a reality in eastern Switzerland by 2030.

Wanted: Young “Alpine Changemakers”

Creative ideas, fresh impulses and innovative projects for sustainable development in the Alpine region: at the “Alpine Changemaker Basecamp”, young, motivated people will have the opportunity to develop new future perspectives for a good life in the Alps with like-minded people.

Alpine plants: persistent and endangered

Spiked rue, glacier buttercup, saxifrage: the habitat of such alpine plants is shrinking with the glaciers, as a recent study shows. In addition to climate change, mountain plants are also suffering from nitrogen deposition.

Alpine Convention - Sectoral development of the Green Economy in the Alpine region

[Project completed] Promoting environmentally sustainable growth while recognising ecological limits: the Green Economy is low-carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive. This form of economy preserves the Alpine ecosystem while making use of existing natural capital.

Where pesticides do not belong

On children’s playgrounds, in schoolyards and at the marketplace: researchers from Italy, Austria and Germany detect 32 different agricultural poisons in public places in South Tyrol.

Glacier ice on a stick

Artificial ice cones and “snow ropes”: Swiss glaciologists want to save glacier ice as a water reservoir and make ski resorts more environmentally friendly. The idea comes from the Indian Himalayas.

Mountain Research and Development Vol 39, No 4: The Role of Culture in Transformation Towards Sustainable Development in Mountains

Culture is fundamentally relevant for sustainable development. This focus issue shows how mountain communities draw on their cultural heritage and integrate new knowledge to shape their own innovative and locally-based development pathways. It also explores ways of integrating culture into development practice and policy. Studies focus on mountain communities in Chile, Italy, Russia, Ecuador, Georgia, Nepal, and China.

Swiss Chairmanship of the Alpine Convention

Switzerland has chaired the Alpine Convention since the end of 2020. One of the main topics for the next two years will be climate protection.

Strong new voices at CIPRA

Stephan Tischler is the new Chairman of CIPRA Austria, Elias Kindle takes over as Executive Director of CIPRA Liechtenstein. At CIPRA International Wilfried Marxer becomes Treasurer and Sofia Farina is Youth Representative on the Board, while Co-Director Barbara Wülser says goodbye.

Point of view: For a cultural change in transit traffic

Trade has been the driving force behind cultural and social development in the Alpine region. Transit traffic in its current form, on the other hand, mainly benefits regions away from the Alps. To ban noise and exhaust fumes from the Alpine valleys we need more than a watered-down EU directive, says Stephan Tischler, President of CIPRA Austria.

Magazine AlpsInsight

It’s well researched, entertaining and colourful: "Alps insight", the feature magazine addresses current issues relating to the Alps from a wide variety of viewpoints. Background information from the experts is accompanied by concrete examples, whether on the building of second homes, global warming, biodiversity, energy-efficient construction methods, innovations and much, much more. Right across the Alps. It is published at irregular intervals in German, French, Italian and Slovene, and is sent out by post.