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In tune with diversity - CIPRA's Annual Report 2014

New French policy for the mountains

Thirty years ago, France passed a special law for its mountain areas. It is now undergoing a review. Here is a summary of the most significant amendments.

Ski lifts in Italy to become liable for tax

The Supreme Court in Italy has now ruled that cable cars and chair lifts do not count as public transport, meaning that municipal tax on real estate is therefore now payable. The judgment has led to uproar in ski resorts.

Strange but true...

…Are beavers really just great big clumsy rodents?

CIPRA: in pursuit of harmony on diversity

Animals and plants have to migrate in order to reproduce. That involves crossing land that is also used by human beings. In its 2014 Annual Report, CIPRA shows how animals, plants and people all benefit from networking within the natural environment.

Our green lungs are running out of air

Animals and plants have to migrate in order to reproduce. That involves crossing land used by human beings. Ecological networking therefore needs the support of a variety of stakeholders. CIPRA brings them together.

New format, new content

In 2014, CIPRA Italy created a new format for work on its territory: a Development Workshop for the Alps.

How much protection for protected areas?

The Alps are a bastion of biodiversity, a function that will become even more important in the future as rising temperatures endanger the survival of many species at lower altitudes.

Sustainable transport policy for an improved quality of life

On Liechtenstein’s doorstep, in the Austrian town of Feldkirch, the planning process is currently underway for a gigantic road construction project in the form of the Feldkirch Urban Tunnel.

Working together for the future of the Alps

In terms of policymaking for the Alps, 2014 was an eventful year. The stage was set for the development of a macro-regional Alpine strategy to find transnational solutions to problems encountered throughout the Alpine space and develop innovative projects specifically targeted at the Alps, and progress was made in defining the terms of reference.

Reducing road traffic is a long distance race

We face many problems relating to excess traffic, especially in cities. It causes air pollution and noise, and hampers land use.

New models for a better life

The western economic model consumes the natural resources of three planet Earths. And it is spreading to developing countries – we are their role model.

Victory for landscape protection

The controversial application to build a wind farm on the Sattelberg near the Brenner Pass was rejected in a final appeal heard by the Italian Council of State in Rome.

Alpine Rhine Valley Green Belt

[Project completed]

Youthful ideas for “My Green Alps”

What will it take for residents of the Alps to take responsibility for their own habitat? Participants of the Youth Parliament of the Alpine Convention provided some answers at Kamnik in Slovenia.

Nominations for Alps-wide architecture prize

Switzerland and Liechtenstein, with technical and organisational support from CIPRA, will for the third time be awarding prizes to buildings in the Alps that demonstrate particular aesthetic and sustainable qualities. The jury has now nominated 32 projects for the “Constructive Alps” Architecture Prize.

Energy and nature in the Alps: a balancing act

How do we manage the balancing act between renewable energy production and nature conservation in the Alps? The final conference of the recharge.green project can provide the answers. Organised by CIPRA, it will take place from 20 to 21 May 2015 in Sonthofen, Germany.

Bus and train: new moves in the Alps-Adriatic region

Public transport between Italy, Austria and Slovenia is moving forward. The consequences remain to be seen.

Stange but true!

…everything out of the ordinary in the Alps has a label.

EEA Report No 8/2014 - Adaptation of transport to climate change in Europe

Challenges and options across transport modes and stakeholders. This report explores current climate change adaptation practices concerning transport across European countries. It provides an overview on the challenges and state adaptation action, a review of a number of initiatives in different countries, and conclusions on a potential way forward. Its purpose is to stimulate discussions among the many different stakeholders concerned with transport adaptation. Opening the perspective on the transport system and sector as a whole should inspire and encourage learning from practices across modes and areas of responsibility and support efforts to mainstream adaptation within transport-related policy and practices. The factual information collected is based on data available in the Climate-ADAPT information platform, a literature review, case studies provided by many stakeholders, and a questionnaire on transport and adaptation addressed to EEA member countries in 2013.

Save the alpine rivers!

WWF European Alpine Program, 2014

Activities

Point of view: The Alps: on course for sustainability

It is time to reflect on the unique values of the Alps, emphasises the President of CIPRA International, Katharina Conradin, after her first 100 days in office. Her plea is for a common goal: the Alps as a model region for sustainability.

No breathing space in the Alpine regions

As CIPRA South Tyrol has flagged up, EU limits for nitrogen oxides are being massively exceeded in the region. There is an acute need for action, both in South Tyrol and in other Alpine regions.

Chamonix is the 2015 “Alpine Town of the Year”

Located at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the “Capital of Alpinism”, has been awarded the title of “Alpine Town of the Year 2015”, mainly in recognition of its nature and climate protection policies.

South Tyrol commits itself to the common good

The “economics of the common good” represents a growing trend, including in the Alps. South Tyrol is now putting this into practice.

Biodiversity needs bold policy and stringent implementation

Biodiversity is a foundation for human wellbeing. However, strategies for its protection are not implemented effectively and projects often do not have the desired effect. The partners of the international project greenAlps present a series of recommendations for better implementation of existing policies in Alpine countries.

young@lpWeek

[Project completed]

Future in the Alps

[Project completed]

Youth Participation in the Alps

This brochure sets a look on the multiple facets of the issue of youth participation in the seven countries of the Alpine region, analyzing the legal framework, the associations, the difficulties, the existing forms of participatory processes. Some useful links and contacts complete this journey.