Political positions of CIPRA

New solidarity between the Alps and surrounding areas. CIPRA position paper on a European Macro-Region Strategy for the Alps
Alpine Politics — Oct 10, 2013
New solidarity between the Alps and surrounding areas. CIPRA position paper on a European Macro-Region Strategy for the Alps
Various political actors in the Alpine space are pushing for a European strategy for a macro-region for the Alps (MRS Alps). The International Alpine Protection Commission CIPRA, with over one hundred member organisations, possesses a wide-ranging network in all Alpine countries that extends beyond the Alps and into the surrounding metropolitan areas. CIPRA is therefore actively joining the process for a Macro-Regional Strategy for the Alps, representing the interests of sustainable, eco-friendly Alpine policies. Strengthened co-operation in such a MRS Alps must take place with the Alpine regions and surrounding areas as equal partners without undermining the achievements of the Alpine Convention.
Healthy, natural forests: responding to climate change! cc.alps: CIPRA's demands for forest management
Forest — Mar 20, 2012
Healthy, natural forests: responding to climate change! cc.alps: CIPRA's demands for forest management
As forestry measures have long-term effects, adaptation of the forests to new climate conditions is urgently needed - but it should be initiated with great caution. The carbon storage ability of forests has to be exploited. Wood should first be used as a raw and building material; only under certain circumstances it should be used for heating. Short regional exploitation cycles are to be created. Natural forests should be fostered as they are more resilient to climate change. Forest owners who in the interest of climate protection give up part of their earnings should be compensated. Finally targeted research into practical climate adaptation measures has to become an important long-term task.
Improvements in efficiency instead of damage to the environment! cc.alps: CIPRA's demands on the subject of water
Water — Dec 23, 2011
Improvements in efficiency instead of damage to the environment! cc.alps: CIPRA's demands on the subject of water
The rivers of the Alps provide 170 million people with water. Climate change will greatly reduce the availability of water in the Alps and beyond, with less rain, longer dry periods in summer and greatly reduced snowfalls in winter among the predicted consequences. The demands made of this natural resource will increase accordingly, as will competition between the various user groups. Today only about 10% of the rivers and streams of the Alps can be considered ecologically intact, i.e. they are neither polluted nor over-engineered nor compromised in terms of their flow regimes. The ecological quality of waterways and related habitats therefore calls for improvement, not further impairment. We cannot permit the last rivers to become engineered structures or depleted by the excessive abstraction of water.

News on Alpine Politics

The Youth Parliament to the Alpine Convention campaigns for Alpine protected areas
Alpine Politics — Apr 12, 2024
Nora Leszczynski, CIPRA International
The Youth Parliament to the Alpine Convention campaigns for Alpine protected areas
A limited number of entrance tickets for protected areas, the designation of infrastructure-free zones and an excursion to protected areas anchored in the curriculum: the 18th Youth Parliament to the Alpine Convention (YPAC) focused on Alpine nature reserves. For the first time, there was also an exchange with the CIPRA Youth Council.
The urban exodus and the climate
Alpine Politics — Feb 01, 2024
Michael Gams, CIPRA International
The urban exodus and the climate
Many mountain regions in the Alps are affected by out-migration. However, climate change is also causing some people to migrate – at least temporarily – from the cities to the mountains, as an Italian research project shows.
Point of view: Mountains for everyone? Not a chance!
Tourism & Leisure — Jan 16, 2024
Henriette Adolf, CIPRA Germany
Point of view: Mountains for everyone? Not a chance!
Access to the mountains and mountain sports is often unfair, exclusive, segregating and discriminatory. Henriette Adolf, Deputy Executive Director of CIPRA Germany, argues in favour of equal participation in mountain sports.
2030 Winter Olympics in Nice
Alpine Politics — Jan 16, 2024
Michael Gams, CIPRA International
2030 Winter Olympics in Nice
Switzerland’s idea of decentralised, sustainable games has been rejected by the IOC. Instead, the French Mediterranean city of Nice is very likely to be awarded the contract.

Point of view of CIPRA

Point of view: the enlightened Olympics-free Alps
Tourism & Leisure — Nov 13, 2013
alpMedia
Point of view: the enlightened Olympics-free Alps
The referendum decisions against "Munich 2022" and "Graubünden 2022" prove that the Olympic spirit is dead. Simply not everyone has yet noticed.
CIPRA's point of view: Co-operation, not killing
Nature — Aug 23, 2013
alpMedia
CIPRA's point of view: Co-operation, not killing
The authorities in Graubünden are demanding that bears be shot in Italy before they cross into Switzerland and potentially cause problems there. Is a preventive shooting really suitable to prevent conflicts with humans?
CIPRA's point of view: Shaping the macro-region Alps according to the Alpine Convention - but better
Alpine Politics — Jun 19, 2013
alpMedia
CIPRA's point of view: Shaping the macro-region Alps according to the Alpine Convention - but better
Many people in the Alps are afraid of being marginalised by the surrounding metropolitan areas. But the expansion of the sphere of action and influence also offers numerous opportunities - if we rise to the challenge, CIPRA believes.