EMAS implementation Biosphere Reserve "Grosses Walsertal" (EMAS - Nachhaltigkeitsmanagementsystem der REGIO Grosses Walsertal)
Best Practice
Topics
Protected areas
Regional value added
Short description
* Project updated on 9 May 2007 according to information from the project contact persons * The Biosphere Reserve “Grosses Walsertal” is a model region for sustainable development in the alpine area of Austria. The “Grosses Walsertal” was certified as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve according to the Man and Biosphere Programme in 2000. In 2000 “Grosses Walsertal” was made one of the first Biosphere Reserve in Austria according to the Seville Strategy. To that extent the project is the logical continuation of initiatives taken in recent years in the field of sustainable regional development (policy document development with citizen participation, environmental orientation in agriculture, external marketing and regional use of local biomass, combined tourism/agriculture etc). The focus of this project is accordingly to provide an integrated platform for existing and future measures and model components for a defined territorial unit. The Biosphere reserve has an extension of 19.200 ha. The objective is the implementation of an eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS). For a sustainable regional development several indicators and criteria were developed for the different sectors. Included is the evaluation of biodiversity (key figures of areas of ecological interest, protected areas). The EMAS-certification is a useful control instrument for the regional development and biodiversity. The implementation of EMAS started in 2003 and the certification was achieved in 2005. Each year the indicator data are collected. The renewal of the certification should be done in 2008 if time and costs allow it.
Project executive
Biosphere Reserve "Grosses Walsertal"
Participants
The communities of Raggal / Marul,Thüringerberg, St. Gerold, Blons, Sonntag / Buchboden, Fontanella / Faschina.
Objectives
The objective is the implementation of an eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS).
Activities
To enforce sustainable regional development several types of action were done: policy document development including citizen participation, environmental orientation in agriculture, external marketing and regional use of local biomass, integration of tourism/agriculture etc. The focus of this project is accordingly to provide an integrated platform for existing and future measures and model components for a defined territorial unit. Several indicators and criteria were developed for a regional environment management ("sustainable quality management"). Fields of interest are tourism, energy and public institutions.
Evaluation
Done regularly by the EMAS requirements
Difficulties
Investigations in the different communities were difficult; no obligations were possible; development of a classification system was difficult; the success depends from activity of the mayors and volunteers.
