Political positions of CIPRA

Winter Olympics: the Alps are more than just a playground
Tourism & Leisure — Dec 10, 2025
Winter Olympics: the Alps are more than just a playground
Major, global sports events have the power to fascinate and inspire. Winter sports hold a special place in the Alps, with their deep-rooted tradition and passionate following. We however believe that, as they currently stand, the Winter Olympic Games are neither environmentally nor socially acceptable. Despite promises of reform, recent developments such as the preparations for Milano-Cortina 2026 and the 2030 Games in France, as well as the “privileged candidacy” of Switzerland for the Winter Games 2038, all prove that the Olympic model remains unsustainable. In recent decades, referendums (e.g. in Innsbruck, Sion, Munich, Grisons) have several times demonstrated that large segments of the population are no longer willing to pay the price of the Winter Olympics.
Open Letter: Protect the Alps from Excessive Transit Traffic
Mobility & Transport — Oct 08, 2025
Open Letter: Protect the Alps from Excessive Transit Traffic
The Alpine region is under increasing pressure — from the climate crisis, air pollution, and ever-growing traffic volumes. Numerous organisations, led by CIPRA International, have therefore addressed an open letter to Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and the transport ministers of the Alpine countries.
Position: Transport and mobility in the Alps
Mobility & Transport — Jun 17, 2025
Position: Transport and mobility in the Alps
In its new 40-page position paper, CIPRA outlines sustainable mobility in the Alpine region with the least possible negative impact of transport on the environment and people. In addition to travel, the paper also addresses commuter traffic, long-distance traffic and freight transport - supplemented with facts, concrete measures and good examples.

News on Alpine Politics

Alpine policy put to the test
Alpine Politics — Aug 26, 2014
Alpine policy put to the test
With the development of a macro-regional strategy Europe’s attention is increasingly turned to the Alps – at least for the present. The CIPRA publication SzeneAlpen focuses on the events.
Improvisational Theatre: Macro-Region for the Alps
Alpine Politics — Apr 30, 2014
Improvisational Theatre: Macro-Region for the Alps
Is it a comedy, a farce, or a whodunnit? In any case, the subject matter - an Alpine macro-region - is controversial and the cast high-powered. Inspired by the EU, Alpine countries and regions take to the stage while the Alpine Convention assumes the role of input provider.
Point of view: who will fill the macro-regional Alpine house with life?
Alpine Politics — Jan 29, 2014
alpMedia
Point of view: who will fill the macro-regional Alpine house with life?
Just as in the building of a house, the inhabitants are the most important persons involved in the Alpine macro-region. But, eight weeks after the start of the process, states and regions have yet to indicate to the representatives of civil society whether they may contribute. R.S.V.P.
We are the macro-region Alps
Alpine Politics — Dec 13, 2013
alpMedia | Schaan, LI
We are the macro-region Alps
On 19 December 2013 the European Council will decide whether there should be a European strategy for the Alpine space. States and regions have been working for months on an appropriate proposal - while excluding representatives of civil society. Why the alpine macro-region needs the science, NGOs and municipalities.

Point of view of CIPRA

Point of view: the excessive character of the Olympics
Nature — May 11, 2022
Vanda Bonardo, CIPRA Italy
Point of view: the excessive character of the Olympics
High construction costs, unused sports facilities, environmentally damaging large-scale projects: loud criticism continues to surround the staging of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina/I. We must ask whether such sporting events still have a place in the Alps, says Vanda Bonardo, President of CIPRA Italy.
Point of view: Let's finally press the reset button in tourism!
People — Feb 03, 2022
Hans Weber, CIPRA Switzerland
Point of view: Let's finally press the reset button in tourism!
Mass tourism in the Alps has collapsed due to the ongoing Corona pandemic, and the opportunities for switching to environmentally and socially just tourism have increased. But they must also be exploited, says Hans Weber, Executive Director of CIPRA Switzerland.
Point of view: Water will not tolerate resistance
Alpine Politics — Oct 06, 2021
Kaspar Schuler, CIPRA International
Point of view: Water will not tolerate resistance
Extreme weather conditions are also increasingly affecting the Alps. The climate crisis is driving this development. Can more and more dams, barriers or power stations solve the problem and at the same time satisfy the growing hunger for energy? We must work with the power of water rather than against it, says Kaspar Schuler, CIPRA’s Executive Director and co-author of CIPRA’s new position paper on hydropower.