Political positions of CIPRA

Water — Oct 07, 2021

Hydropower in the Alps

How much hydropower use is environmentally compatible and ecologically sustainable? This question has been on the minds of people in the Alpine region for decades - all the more so against the backdrop of the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels. There are currently around 21,000 hydropower plants in operation in Europe, 300 under construction and over 8,500 in the planning stage. In many places, climate change with its imponderables such as extreme floods is being countered with more dams and walls, although river widening, for example, would make more ecological sense.

Alpine Politics — Dec 11, 2020

Alpine landscape is not renewable!

Landscape is a key to negotiating social and political issues. CIPRA has taken up these issues as part of its Alpine-wide priority theme “Landscape” 2019-2020. This position paper, which was developed in a broad and participatory process with CIPRA representatives, young Alpine women and experts from all Alpine countries, is the conclusion of this priority theme.

Alpine Politics — Feb 08, 2017

Solstice in winter tourism

Tourism has brought wealth to the Alps. In many regions it remains an important source of income, but lack of economic diversification is also a risk. The importance and orientation of tourism differs strongly among Alpine countries, but all of them need new strategies and approaches to cope with shifts in visitor behaviour and climate change. A socio-economic transformation is needed that takes account of tourism’s past, present and future potential.

News on Alpine Politics

People — Oct 09, 2024

Caroline Begle, CIPRA International

AlpWeek 2024: time for action

A look back, a look forwards: twenty years after the first AlpWeek, the eighth edition of the international conference brought over 200 people to Nova Gorica/SL to discuss what is important in the development of the Alpine region.

Alpine Politics — Sep 30, 2024

Michael Gams, CIPRA International

New faces at CIPRA

CIPRA's delegates elected Uwe Roth from Germany as the new President. The Board is becoming younger and more female.

Alpine huts: the first victims of the climate crisis?

Alpine Politics — Jul 17, 2024

Sophie V. Mahlknecht, CIPRA International

Alpine huts: the first victims of the climate crisis?

Water shortages, disintegrating mountains and renovation needs: managing Alpine huts has always been difficult, but the climate crisis is making the situation even worse. The Austrian Alpine Association has already issued an “Emergency call from the Alps”.

Alpine Politics — Jul 17, 2024

Michael Gams, CIPRA International

AlpWeek 2024 in Nova Gorica

Two decades ago, “AlpWeek” was held for the first time in Slovenia as an international event organised by Alpine organisations. It will return there from 23 to 25 September 2024.

Point of view of CIPRA

CIPRA's point of view: Torino 2006: a hard lesson - but nothing learned

Spatial development — Aug 21, 2012

alpMedia

CIPRA's point of view: Torino 2006: a hard lesson - but nothing learned

The Olympic Winter Games 2006 have left a burdensome legacy. The idea is thus to close the loss-making bobsleigh and replace it with an indoor ski slope. Is Turin simply throwing good money after bad?

CIPRA's point of view: New solidarity between the Alps and metropolitan areas

Spatial development — May 30, 2012

alpMedia

CIPRA's point of view: New solidarity between the Alps and metropolitan areas

Various political actors are pushing for the development of a macro-region for the Alps. CIPRA also says yes to an Alpine macro-region - but only within a clear framework. This offers the opportunity to make the rest of Europe aware of the issues facing its Alpine regions.

CIPRA's point of view: Alpine Convention: Italy says yes but Switzerland still says no

Mobility & Transport — May 30, 2012

alpMedia

CIPRA's point of view: Alpine Convention: Italy says yes but Switzerland still says no

Italy, surprisingly, has ratified eight of nine protocols of the Alpine Convention. Only Switzerland has yet to sign up. We do not need the protocols, stated the Swiss Federal Council recently - Swiss policy is, in its view, more sustainable than in any other Alpine country.