Political positions of CIPRA

cc.alps: CIPRA Demands – Energy self-sufficient regions
Energy — Nov 03, 2010
cc.alps: 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.
cc.alps: CIPRA Demands on Spatial Planning
Spatial development — Nov 26, 2009
cc.alps: CIPRA Demands on Spatial Planning
The Alps are different. The Alpine range is characterized by special features that need to be taken into account in spatial development and climate protection.
cc.alps: CIPRA demands on transport
Mobility & Transport — Nov 04, 2009
cc.alps: CIPRA demands on transport
Transport, in particular by car and truck, is one of the main causes of climate change. In the Alpine countries transport accounts for more than 25 percent of the release of greenhouse gases and is of special importance in the increase of these gases since 1990. A wrong development, running counter to the political objective to reduce exhaust emissions. In the Alps, the percentage of journeys made by car is higher than European average.

News on Alpine Politics

Alps in Motion: new Alpine-wide Day of Action
People — Feb 04, 2026
Manuel Herrmann, CIPRA Switzerland
Alps in Motion: new Alpine-wide Day of Action
The Alpine Fire is being reimagined. With Alps in Motion, CIPRA Switzerland and CIPRA International are launching an Alpine-wide Day of Action on 29 August 2026.
Generational change at CIPRA International
Alpine Politics — Jan 22, 2026
Caroline Begle and Michael Gams, CIPRA International
Generational change at CIPRA International
After seven eventful years at the helm of CIPRA International, Kaspar Schuler is taking well-deserved retirement. His former deputy, Jakob Dietachmair, takes over as Executive Director, while Magdalena Holzer becomes the new Deputy Director. There are also changes at CIPRA Austria: Paul Kuncio is moving to CIPRA International as Policy Officer.
Working together for the future of the Alps
Alpine Politics — Mar 28, 2025
Caroline Begle, CIPRA International
Working together for the future of the Alps
On the 22nd of January the Slovenian Presidency of the Alpine Convention hosted the Alpine Conference in Brdo/SI. A central theme was the quality of life in the Alpine region, which is also the subject of the tenth Report on the State of the Alps.
Point of view: Let’s plan the energy transition and restoration together!
Alpine Politics — Feb 05, 2025
Paul Kuncio, CIPRA Austria
Point of view: Let’s plan the energy transition and restoration together!
Alpine spatial planning can help to resolve the contradictions between restoration and the expansion of renewable energy. This requires joint efforts involving the interests of the population and environmental organisations, says Paul Kuncio, Executive Director of CIPRA Austria.

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.