News
Strange but true...
This is the story of why all mountains may soon be covered with sawdust in summer.
Point of view: Switzerland needs help with its climate policy
Switzerland was formerly a leading light in environmental policy. Today, sadly, it does not even have a plan for implementing the goals of the Paris climate agreement, says Hans Weber, executive director of CIPRA Switzerland.
Young ideas for a green economy
This year’s Youth Parliament of the Alpine Convention, held in the Italian town of Bassano del Grappa, focussed exclusively on the topic of “Green Economy”. The “Youth Alpine Express” also stopped off there.
“Glamping” in the Slovenian Alps: a critical view
A new “Eco Resort” in Slovenia promises luxury farmhouse holidays. Just a few kilometres away the genuine Alpine huts of the “Velika Planina” stand ready for guests.
Democratic renewal: success and failure
People have been gathering every night in Paris since the end of March in the “Nuit debout” (Up all night) movement in order to discuss a world that is democratic, environmentally friendly and socially more just. What French cities dream of is already being tested for real in Alpine villages.
Better protection for natural spaces
Resistance is growing across the Alps against construction activities in pristine or largely unspoilt areas. CIPRA is making an appeal for integrative spatial planning to the Alpine states meeting this week in Murnau, Germany.
Point of view: 25 years of the Alpine Convention are not enough
While we celebrate 25 years of the Alpine Convention, we still bemoan the slow pace of its implementation. For its objectives to be achieved, believes Katharina Conradin, President of CIPRA International, we have to repeatedly demand their realisation.
CIPRA and the Alpine Convention: a fruitful co-operation
An architectural competition, a climate conference, activities with young people: CIPRA and the Alpine Convention have a lot in common, as the current annual report of CIPRA International makes clear.
Change is in the air
A change of executive director at CIPRA International and at CIPRA Austria, and a new president for CIPRA Switzerland: the new faces shaping the future of CIPRA.
One river, numerous desires: disagreements about the Alpine Rhine
A current bone of contention between different interest groups is the priority to be given to the various uses made of the Alpine Rhine: as a farming area, as a habitat for the little ringed plover and the German tamarisk, or as a drinking water reservoir. SPARE, a new European Union project for the Alpine region, will offer assistance for the holistic management of watercourses.
Chemicals in the Alps– unwanted souvenirs
Not only particulates are causing problems for people and animals: chemicals too are accumulating in the Alps. As one of the causes the outdoors industry is only gradually moving to remedy matters.
Award-winning tourism
Tourism too has its success stories. Innovative projects in the Alps are drawing attention. A national park in Germany now shows that sustainable tourism can also bring economic benefits.
SPARE – Alpine rivers as society’s lifelines
What is the state of the Alpine rivers? How can we bring those responsible and other interested parties to committing themselves to holistic river management? The SPARE project strives to answer these and other questions. CIPRA and eight additional partners have launched the three-year project at a two-day meeting in Vienna in early February 2016.
Victory and defeat for new protected areas
New protected areas are valuable for biodiversity, with many also intended to boost the local economy. There are nevertheless frequent reservations.
Strange but true...
soft guitar music, gentle singing, then the camera zooms onto a green, undeveloped hillside.
Point of view: He who sows infrastructure, reaps more traffic
At the end of February 2016 Swiss voters will decide on the building of a second road tunnel at the Gotthard Pass. The CHF 4 billion project will torpedo Switzerland’s modal shift policy, believes Barbara Wülser, CIPRA International’s communications manager.
A toolbox for climate change
Climate change is a fact. Its complexity, however, means that it remains an abstract notion for regional decision-makers. CIPRA, together with its partners, is supporting Alpine regions.
Hot topic: mountain biking
Like hikers, mountain bikers are now part of the mountain landscape, often using the same paths. The result: conflicts between the two groups are on the increase.
European tourism prize for Bohinj
For years slow mobility has been a priority in the Slovenian town of Bohinj. It has now been awarded the EDEN network’s innovation prize.
Strange but true...
When it comes to superlatives, the French also want to get in on the act.
Traditional nature conservation in crisis
The European Union is pushing for better implementation of its biodiversity strategy. At the same time protected areas in the Alps are being broken up, weakened or downgraded. Where is the problem?
Alpine municipalities strengthen youth participation
If municipalities wish to introduce policies that will meet the expectations of coming generations, they have to be able to offer their young people something. The YSAM project has shown how youth participation can be strengthened in Alpine communities. A new label is being used in Switzerland to mark youth-friendly municipalities.
Alpine regional strategy on the starting blocks
The European strategy for the Alps is ready. There nevertheless remain some challenges to its effective and sustainable implementation.
Swiss reheat Olympic candidacy
Two Swiss cantons, Graubünden (Grisons) and Wallis (Valais), are now competing to host the Winter Olympics – even though voters in Graubünden rejected a proposed candidacy in 2013, and it has already failed several times in Wallis.
Crying wolf?
The protected status of the wolf is being ever more vehemently called into question. French sheep farmers have fuelled the debate further by taking hostages. Those living in the mountains meanwhile remain divided.
Point of view: Change begins in the heart
Claire Simon, Executive Director of CIPRA International, used the occasion of the 2015 CIPRA annual conference to call for more engagement with people and their ways of thinking in order to strengthen the natural and cultural diversity of the Alps.
CIPRA strengthens youth participation
Numerous young people want to get involved in the issues affecting the Alps. Proof of this was provided by the “Youth Alpine Express” at the CIPRA annual conference in Liechtenstein. The new YAPP online platform provides a link for these activities.
No pardon for crimes against the environment
Damaging the environment in Italy can henceforth be punished with a jail term of up to fifteen years. Environmental legislation was also a concern of CIPRA co-founder Wolfgang Burhenne. A biography is now dedicated to him.
A warm welcome to the new Alpine residents!
With an aging population and falling birth rates, depopulation and a boom in the immigration of the “new Highlanders”, the demographic change is marking the entire Alpine area – but different regions are being affected to varying degrees.
Better protection for Alpine rivers
A European legal ruling has strengthened the protection of Alpine rivers. Derogations for hydro plants or snow-making facilities are now more difficult to obtain. The politicians are up in arms.