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cc.alps

[Project completed] With the compact "Water in climate change" published at the end of 2012, the project "cc.alps - climate change: looking one step further" has come to an end. In the last four years, CIPRA International together with a wide range of experts and practitioners has shown what intelligent climate activities should look like.

Mountain Research and Development, Vol 34, No 4, on Family Farming in Mountains

Based on centuries of experience in tackling mountain environments, farming families and communities have developed distinctive forms of institutions and organizational arrangements. This MRD Focus Issue on Family Farming in Mountains addresses the question to what extent these institutions and organizational arrangements have been able to cope with the current multiple challenges. It also explores whether family farming practices have succeeded in generating solutions in combination with new institutional arrangements and policies, and whether this enables family farmers in mountains to benefit from new opportunities.. The geographical range of papers in this issue reaches from Italy to Ukraine, Slovakia, China, Bolivia, and Spain.

Mountain Landscape

A decisionsupport system for the accessibility

Criticism of Alpine traffic policies in Brussels

Short-sighted, inadequate, inconsistent: a recently published study commissioned by the European Parliament questions the policies and projects intended to shift freight transport onto rail. Why European support for the Lyon-Turin link is crumbling and why the Swiss electorate will have the last word.

Point of view: Protecting the Alps – the responsibility of people

The diversity of the Alps is a challenge that at the same time holds great potential. It is up to the new German presidency of the Alpine Convention to put this into effect, states Federica Corrado, President of CIPRA Italy.

CIPRA presents pioneers of sustainable living

Lifestyles and economies that use fewer resources require new thinking and action that go beyond narrow limits and consumerism. This is the conclusion of the CIPRA annual conference held in Annecy, France.

Ill-timed winter tourism developments throughout the Alps

Despite rising temperatures and doubts about profitability, some Alpine regions are building new winter sports facilities. But who will pay the bill?

UPDATE ON INVESTMENTS IN LARGE TEN-T PROJECTS STUDY PROVISIONAL VERSION

Italy

CIPRA Activities

Partners

French Alps now almost networked

The French regions of Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur have for the first time enshrined migration routes for plants and animals in legislation – a first in the French mountains.

Strange but true...

…We now have a new hero factory, Trentino, that is “bearing” heavily on the Alps.

From protected enclaves to regional managers

The Swiss National Park in the canton of Graubünden is 100 years old. It was the first National Park in the Alps and is still a model of its kind – but it no longer ranks among the best of the protected areas.

Macro-region Alps: get involved!

The European strategy for the Alps could compensate for the shortcomings of the Alpine Convention, says Claire Simon, Executive Director of CIPRA International. Now, during the consultation phase, is an opportunity to participate and demand sustainability.

Alpine policy put to the test

With the development of a macro-regional strategy Europe’s attention is increasingly turned to the Alps – at least for the present. The CIPRA publication SzeneAlpen focuses on the events.

How policies can enable biodiversity

From 13 – 15 October 2014, the conference “How Policy can enable Biodiversity” will highlight opportunities for supporting biodiversity at the international and the local level. The conference, which will be held in Chambéry/F, will also present the findings of the greenAlps project.

Alpine policy put to the test

The Macro-Region Alps opens up new possibilities for co-operation. CIPRA’s calls over the years for more participation and implementation may yet be acted upon. International policy for the Alps is the focus of the latest issue of SzeneAlpen.

Sustainable building and renovation in practice

Energy-efficient building methods and renovation are by no means utopian. How will such projects look? What needs to be done? A workshop in Idrija, Slovenia in October 2014 will provide the answers.

Preserving landscapes through smarter location choices

Ever more families in the Alps are realising their dream of a house in the country that is not too far from the city. This brings with it problems such as urban sprawl and high mobility costs. An online calculator can now show whether such a move is worth it.

Express tourism on the Eiger

The North Face of the Eiger in the Bernese Oberland is an inspiration for every mountaineer. A new railway project is now intended to make the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains even more accessible. Swiss environmental groups are, however, critical of the project.

Strange but true!

... it’s a real “boar”! Wild pigs are conquering the Alps.

Point of view: Preserving the strongholds of the Alps

Dozens of development projects are simmering in the drawers of investors from Slovenia to France. It is thus even more important to sustain existing protected areas, says Katharina Conradin, member of the executive board of CIPRA International and executive director of Mountain Wilderness Switzerland.

Signal fires against transit traffic

Transit traffic over the main Alpine crossings is steadily increasing. Projects such as a second tube for the Gotthard road tunnel are increasing the attractiveness of road transport for goods. This year’s CIPRA action, “Fire across the Alps”, takes aim at this trend.

Strange but true...

... a white complexion, slim, almost dainty – truly a feast for the eyes. And, most important of all, very well developed.

Looking for answers to resource shortages

Resources are finite, including those in the Alps. What solutions are available for living a good life that do not simply depend on ever more consumption? Some answers will be provided at the CIPRA Annual Conference to be held in November 2014 in Annecy, France

Ski tourism: an insatiable hunger

Gigantic artificial lakes, myriads of snow cannons, secret forest clearances. Ski areas are continuing to expand in all Alpine countries, often using questionable methods and concepts. Below are three examples.

Bad atmosphere in the Alps

Never before have atmospheric CO2 levels been as high as those recorded in April 2014. Many Alpine valleys are suffering from poor air quality. This puts the health of many people in the Rhône-Alpes Region at risk - lower motorway speeds can be part of the solution.

Handbook on External Costs of Transport

Soil Erosion in the Alps

Experience gained from case studies (2006–2013)