Political positions of CIPRA

Energy — Sep 15, 2011

Make the Alps energy self-sufficient! CIPRA-demands - Energy self-sufficient regions

Not having to depend on energy imports: this vision holds great fascination for many regions. Self-sufficiency is "in." There are already many very positive approaches and examples of attempts to go down this road. At the heart of all the concepts is the idea of meeting demand through regional renewable sources of energy, saving energy and using energy more efficiently. Anyone who systematically takes this approach in an attempt to create an energy self-sufficient region changes the face of their region and its structures - to the benefit of their own economy, society and the environment.

Climate — Aug 04, 2011

cc.alps: CIPRA's demands for agriculture

The agricultural sector is directly affected by climate change impacts but it also contributes to the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) and rising concentrations of GHG in the atmosphere. A sustainable climate response strategy in the field of agriculture involves anticipating, planning and long-term thinking from farm level to transnational level. Prominent fields of activity are sustainable land and soil management, sustainable water management, managing manure and soil carbon as well as organic agriculture as an overall strategy. As agriculture is a highly subsidized economic sector, subvention policy can be used as a lever to guide the sector to sustainability and climate neutrality.

Climate — Mar 09, 2011

Only climate-friendly tourism is sustainable: cc.alps - CIPRA’s demands for tourism in climate change

Climate change is a major challenge to Alpine tourism. It has to adapt to climate change and at the same time become more climate-friendly. There is a particularly large potential for reduction of CO2 emissions in the key areas of traffic and energy. Tourism is a branch of the economy which is heavily subsidized. Therefore public policy can and must direct developments towards sustainability through the support given to tourism. The present discussion about developments in the tourism industry is dominated by the large chair lift companies which are essentially fixed on ski tourism and the maintenance of the status quo. But focusing only on snow and skiing means promoting a capital-intensive, highly technological form of Alpine tourism and a monoculture. This is neither climatologically nor environmentally sustainable.

News on Alpine Politics

Alpine Politics — Aug 17, 2022

Anna Mehrmann, CIPRA International

A signal for climate protection

From Triglav National Park in Slovenia to Radnig in Austria and Gondo in Switzerland, on 13 August 2022 people came together to set an example for climate protection. This year’s «Fire in the Alps» was held under the motto «The Alps need climate protection».

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.

Nature — May 11, 2022

Veronika Hribernik, CIPRA International

#alpinechangemaker wanted

Projects for a good life in the Alps: highly motivated people from the Alpine region can apply until 15 May with ideas for the “Alpine Changemaker Basecamp” (ACB). They can look forward to a transdisciplinary project week, exchanges with like-minded people and a one-year mentoring programme.

Alpine Politics — Feb 17, 2022

Kaspar Schuler, CIPRA International

Truck promotion instead of ecology

The European Parliament has shown no understanding. Even the last rescue attempts by three parliamentarians were shot down. The new toll regulation for road haulage on European motorways will lead to the one-sided promotion of hydrogen and electric engines. This will lead to a massive disadvantage for freight transport by rail and to even more trucks.

Point of view of CIPRA

Point of view: He who sows infrastructure, reaps more traffic

Mobility & Transport — Jan 27, 2016

alpMedia

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.

Point of view: Change begins in the heart

Climate — Sep 30, 2015

alpMedia

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.

Point of view: Making the Alpine Convention more interactive

Alpine Politics — Jun 03, 2015

alpMedia

Point of view: Making the Alpine Convention more interactive

The effectiveness of the Alpine Convention is often called into question. A new approach could help reposition it as an engine of co-operation and sustainable development in the Alpine regions, says Claire Simon, Executive Director of CIPRA International.