Political positions of CIPRA

Tourism & Leisure — Sep 13, 2002

Friends-of-Nature Wildhaus Declaration: tourism and sustainability in the 21st century

Tourism needs an intact natural environment, a vibrant cultural life, and a fair partnership between visitors and visited. As an economic sector, tourism is directly dependent on sustainability. The Declaration calls upon the tourism industry, the tourism regions, governments and individual tourists to curb the consumption of natural resources and reduce the burden of traffic caused by tourism traffic. It also calls on tourism to contribute towards eliminating poverty and to implement a sustainable destination and transport policy for the environment.

Jun 29, 2002

Berchtesgaden Declaration on regional co-operation in mountain regions 2002

At the end of June 2002 a conference on international co-operation between the mountain regions of the world was held in Berchtesgaden. The participants at the conference presented ten fundamental principles for regional co-operation. The principles underscore the key responsibility of governments and the need for regional co-operation to ensure the sustainable and proper management of mountain regions. Equal rights, decentralisation and the involvement of resident populations are essential in achieving sustainable development. Measures aimed at establishing cross-border partnerships and networks for the exchange of experience and the dissemination of knowledge are of crucial importance in bringing regional co-operation to life. The Declaration is aimed at governments, the international community, the private sector and NGOs.

Mobility & Transport — Apr 03, 2007

Vienna Declaration by the Regional Conference on Transport and the Environment 1997

The Declaration was adopted by the governments of the member states of the UN Economic Commission for Europe. The states pledge to take steps aimed at reducing the negative impact of transport and traffic on the environment and on health. Energy-efficient and ecological vehicles and fuels as well as efficient and sustainable transport systems are to be encouraged and sensitive regions protected. The UNECE members are also planning to encourage the safe transport of hazardous substances and adopt measures aimed at protecting water resources from pollution. Annexed to the Declaration is a programme with a description of potential measures and solutions in the area of transport and the environment. http://www.unece.org/doc/ece/rcte/ece.rcte.conf..2.final.e.pdf

News on Alpine Politics

Alpine Politics — Feb 03, 2022

Maya Mathias, CIPRA International

Onto the slopes by helicopter

Is heliskiing in the public interest? Vorarlberg extends its authorisation by two and a half years: CIPRA Austria calls for greater emphasis on climate protection.

Alpine Politics — Feb 03, 2022

Michael Gams, CIPRA International

Winter Games on a slippery slope

History repeats itself: after the fiasco surrounding the construction ruins in Turin in 2006, the plans for Italy's supposedly “green” Winter Games in Milan and Cortina in 2026 are now too coming under criticism.

New alliance for European mountain regions

Tourism & Leisure — Dec 09, 2021

Michael Gams, CIPRA International

New alliance for European mountain regions

Three umbrella organizations committed to mountaineering and sustainability in European mountain regions decided, at the end of November 2021, to join forces: the Club Arc Alpin (CAA), the European Union of Mountaineering Associations (EUMA) and the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps (CIPRA).

Alpine Politics — Oct 06, 2021

Veronika Hribernik, CIPRA International

For drinkable water

In a referendum held at the beginning of July, Slovenia’s citizens voted by a clear majority in favour of preserving the shore and coastal zones. In doing so, they overturned a new law that would also have affected Alpine waters.

Point of view of CIPRA

Tourism & Leisure — Nov 19, 2017

Point of view: Skiing, adieu!

Winter is here and in many ski resorts the snow cannons are running at full blast. Yet the number of skiers is in decline, making it hard to justify the immense investments made with the aim of expanding ski areas. It is time to realise that skiing is not a business model with a future, says Katharina Conradin, President of CIPRA International.

People — Oct 04, 2017

Point of view: Municipalities as drivers for sustainable development

Sustainable development cannot be prescribed by law: it needs local people to put it into effect. Municipalities have a key role here, says Jean Horgues-Debat, the newly elected President of CIPRA France.

People — Apr 12, 2017

Point of view: A "man's world" and "women's work": time to move on

Equal opportunities are still a women’s topic . Yet there are sufficient reasons to treat it as an issue for society as a whole. Everyone benefits – especially in the Alps, believes Barbara Wülser, deputy director of CIPRA International.