Political positions of CIPRA

Winter Olympics: the Alps are more than just a playground
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.
Open Letter: Protect the Alps from Excessive Transit Traffic
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.
Position: Transport and mobility in the Alps
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

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: He who sows infrastructure, reaps more traffic
Mobility & Transport — Jan 27, 2016
alpMedia
Point of view: He who sows infrastructure, reaps more traffic
At the end of February 2016 Swiss voters will decide on the building of a second road tunnel at the Gotthard Pass. The CHF 4 billion project will torpedo Switzerland’s modal shift policy, believes Barbara Wülser, CIPRA International’s communications manager.
Point of view: Change begins in the heart
Climate — Sep 30, 2015
alpMedia
Point of view: Change begins in the heart
Claire Simon, Executive Director of CIPRA International, used the occasion of the 2015 CIPRA annual conference to call for more engagement with people and their ways of thinking in order to strengthen the natural and cultural diversity of the Alps.
Point of view: Making the Alpine Convention more interactive
Alpine Politics — Jun 03, 2015
alpMedia
Point of view: Making the Alpine Convention more interactive
The effectiveness of the Alpine Convention is often called into question. A new approach could help reposition it as an engine of co-operation and sustainable development in the Alpine regions, says Claire Simon, Executive Director of CIPRA International.