Articles
EU: Is regional planning foremost an instrument for business development?
EU regional planning ministers are to meet on 25 May 2007 to adopt a Territorial Agenda designed to provide a framework for future spatial development in Europe.
55th international mountain film festival in Trento
The Trento Film Festival is being held in Trento/I from 24 April to 6 May 2007 for the 55th time. Topical documentary and feature films are to be screened in four categories, with awards going to the best.
Low-cost construction method for the KlimaHau
The provinces of South Tyrol/I and Lower Saxony/D have co-developed the world's first ever energy-saving prefabricated house based on a low-cost construction method. The aim is to establish and use the South Tyrol KlimaHaus as an alternative construction method for Africa and disaster areas.
Will the Mont Blanc finally become part of UNESCO's Natural Heritage?
The international Pro Mont Blanc association, which has been campaigning actively since 1991 for the protection of the Mont Blanc, would like to see the mountain massif finally included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
1.5 tonnes of artificial fertilizer for skiing competitions?
The impact of climate change on skiing areas is the subject of the OECD study published on 13 December 2006. It concludes that if a region's average annual temperature increases by one degree, only around 500 of the 666 skiing areas in the Alps could be assured of snow.
Climate change impacts biodiversity
For a number of years now, biodiversity in Alpine ecosystems has been declining under the effect of climate change.
German environmental associations obtain greater rights of action
With the coming into force on 15 December 2006 of Germany's environmental legal remedy legislation environmental associations have been given greater rights of action in the area of environmental protection.
Werfenweng: "Sanft Mobil auf neuen Wegen"
"The idea to create a special book of photographs about Werfenweng and our passion for gentle mobility came about in summer 2005"
Climate Star 2007 - European award for climate protection activities at the local level
For the third time the Climate Alliance of European Cities with Indigenous Rainforest Peoples is inviting all European cities and municipalities to present their climate protection activities and apply for a Climate Star.
Olympic infrastructures - A bottomless pit?
The infrastructure facilities built for the Olympic Winter Games in Turin in February 2006 have proved an expensive legacy.
Davos on the road to Kyoto
Davos, Switzerland's highest town, is working towards a more climate-friendly local policy.
Exchange of know-how on regional management
Two events focusing on regional development and management are scheduled for the beginning of 2007 as part of the workshop series entitled "Future in the Alps: Getting Knowledge Across - Networking People" organised by CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps.
Tests underway on the world's highest solar power station
The Swiss utility BKW FMB Energie AG is currently conducting trials scheduled to last until this summer on a high-alpine solar power station.
Database on experts in mountain area research
The Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) has gone online with an expert database comprising almost 5,000 entries on people in governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as private groups who are involved in research into mountain regions in general and the impact of climate change in particular.
Boosting cross-alpine rail freight traffic
The Adriazug pilot project has been launched in a bid to reduce the burden of HGV traffic on transit routes through the Alps.
Alpine Convention: concrete measures on behalf of the climate
On November 9 the environment ministers of the alpine states convened for the Alpine Conference, which is held every two years.
New brochure on International Mountain Partnerships
The Alpine Convention as such is not transferable to other regions. However many of its principles and the experience gained with the Alpine process in particular have proved of value to the sustainable development of non-alpine mountain regions.
Know-how transfer within the Alps and beyond
CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, is organising an international workshop series under the motto of "Circulating Knowledge - Networking People".
Synthesis report: Utilising the value of Alpine landscapes
The Swiss National Fund Programme on "Landscapes and Habitats of the Alps" recently published its synthesis report (de/fr) on the research focus entitled "Land Use and Adding Values".
Trends in the mountain regions of Switzerland - the view of the locals on DVD
Two new ethnographic films have been released as part of the Swiss National Fund Programme on "Landscapes and Habitats in the Alps".
Rainfall can trigger earthquakes
A new study shows causal links between rainfall and earth tremors.
Climate-neutral winter holidays in Arosa
In co-operation with the company ClimatePartner the holiday region of Arosa/CH is the first resort in the Alps to offer climate-neutral winter holidays.
Environmental management at campsites in South Tyrol
Twelve campsite operators in South Tyrol are planning to introduce an environmental management system as part of the Eco-camping Project.
The Alps should become a model climate region
CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, is calling for an Alpine Convention (AC) action plan on climate protection. CIPRA has sent a letter to this effect to the Environment Ministers of the Alpine countries and the EU, who are meeting in Alpbach/A on 8 and 9 November for the 9th Alpine Conference.
Fertilizer use causes long-term disruption to alpine eco-systems
A study by the Swiss national research programme on "Landscapes and Habitats of the Alp" supports the assumption that alpine eco-systems do not react particularly flexibly to human intervention.
Festival of occupational diversity in mountain regions
This year's international festival of "mountain professions" (Métiers de Montagne) is being held in Chambéry/F from 23 to 26 November.
Conference proceedings on "Exploring the Nature of Management"
The conference proceedings for the 3rd International Conference on the Monitoring and Management of Visitors Flows in Recreational and Protected Areas have just been published.
Ecological wood-welding technology with a future
Scientists from Switzerland and France have now developed a new joinery method called wood welding.
Results of the IPAM Project now published
The IPAM (Integrative Protected Area Management) Project co-financed by the EU focused on the exchange of experience and on methods and instruments of planning and management in protected areas.
King Albert Mountain Award an Werner Bätzing
Last week the King Albert I Memorial Foundation honoured seven mountain experts with golden awards. One of the Awards went to Germany's Werner Bätzing as a "leading expert on problems of the Alps as a whole".