Political positions of CIPRA

Tourism & Leisure — Dec 10, 2025

Winter Olympics: the Alps are more than just a playground

Major, global sports events have the power to fascinate and inspire. Winter sports hold a special place in the Alps, with their deep-rooted tradition and passionate following. We however believe that, as they currently stand, the Winter Olympic Games are neither environmentally nor socially acceptable. Despite promises of reform, recent developments such as the preparations for Milano-Cortina 2026 and the 2030 Games in France, as well as the “privileged candidacy” of Switzerland for the Winter Games 2038, all prove that the Olympic model remains unsustainable. In recent decades, referendums (e.g. in Innsbruck, Sion, Munich, Grisons) have several times demonstrated that large segments of the population are no longer willing to pay the price of the Winter Olympics.

Mobility & Transport — Oct 08, 2025

Open Letter: Protect the Alps from Excessive Transit Traffic

The Alpine region is under increasing pressure — from the climate crisis, air pollution, and ever-growing traffic volumes. Numerous organisations, led by CIPRA International, have therefore addressed an open letter to Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and the transport ministers of the Alpine countries.

Mobility & Transport — Jun 17, 2025

Position: Transport and mobility in the Alps

In its new 40-page position paper, CIPRA outlines sustainable mobility in the Alpine region with the least possible negative impact of transport on the environment and people. In addition to travel, the paper also addresses commuter traffic, long-distance traffic and freight transport - supplemented with facts, concrete measures and good examples.

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

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.