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

NGOs demand participation in the Alpine macro-region
Alpine Politics — Oct 17, 2013
alpMedia | Schaan, LI
NGOs demand participation in the Alpine macro-region
Observer organisations of the Alpine Convention are bewildered at their exclusion from the Alpine macro-region. They are demanding their inclusion in the ongoing process for a macro-regional Alpine strategy.
Who will shape the Alpine macro-region?
Alpine Politics — Oct 17, 2013
alpMedia | Schaan, LI
Who will shape the Alpine macro-region?
With its "Alpen.Leben" (Living in the Alps) project, CIPRA Austria is sounding out the role of the Alpine Convention for a macro-regional strategy and is asking who should actually have a say in shaping this European Union strategy for the Alps.
Boost for the macro-region Alps
Alpine Politics — Jul 10, 2013
alpMedia | Schaan, LI
Boost for the macro-region Alps
The European Union is publishing its first analysis of existing macro-regions - encouraging news for current developments in the Alpine space.
Macro-region: Europe goes a step further
Alpine Politics — Jun 19, 2013
alpMedia | Schaan, LI
Macro-region: Europe goes a step further
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on a macro-regional strategy, while the Alpine Space Programme submitted an expert report to the European Union.

Point of view of CIPRA

Point of view: For glaciers without a circus
Alpine Politics — Feb 17, 2020
alpMedia
Point of view: For glaciers without a circus
The largest glacier ski resort in the Alps is to be built in Tyrol, Austria - on already melting glaciers. The planned connection of the ski areas in Pitztal and Ötztal goes against all reason, says Kaspar Schuler, Co-Manager of CIPRA International.
Point of view: Equal opportunities for trains and trucks!
Mobility & Transport — Nov 07, 2019
alpMedia
Point of view: Equal opportunities for trains and trucks!
224 million tonnes of goods rolled through the Alps last year, a new record – more than two thirds of it on trucks. To decrease the pressure on nature and humans along the transit axes, railways and roads have be on the same level playing field, says Jakob Dietachmair, Project Manager at CIPRA International.
Point of view: Europe and its Alps
Apr 24, 2019
alpMedia
Point of view: Europe and its Alps
The fundamental question facing the direct elections to the European Parliament in May 2019 is: hat is the outlook – in Europe and in the Alps – for democracy and “good governance”? Erwin Rothgang, Vice-President of CIPRA International, argues for new forms of co-operation.