Climate change and the Alps

Globally the 1990s were the warmest decade since reliable instrument recordings began in 1860; they were very possibly also the warmest in the past one thousand years. For the Alpine countries, these latest findings are of particular significance for the hydrosphere, i.e. the hydrological cycle, and the cryosphere, i.e. snow and ice. Future winters will be characterised by less snow and more rain. Even a 1 °C increase in temperature means the average duration of the snow cover in certain regions will be reduced by 4 to 6 weeks. Hope for the future in the climate dilemma rests with municipal energy policies, the greater use of renewable energies, and the promotion of a sustainable economic approach and lifestyle. More »

The issue of water in the Lake Geneva region

After a general introduction on Lake Geneva itself, this background report describes the socio-economic and natural environment of the lake as well as its general "state of health". It then highlights specific topics such as waste water treatment and the water pollution caused by agriculture. The final chapter is dedicated to what the general public can and must do.
Keeping the lake water clean and healthy is possible only through the joint management of the cross-border waterways - both on the surface and underground - which flow into the lake. Besides international co-operation, there also needs to be political and economic co-operation and co-operation between industry and agriculture, between the public sectors and private individuals if the problems of pollution are to be resolved at source. Finally, an appeal is made to the public to address the water issue and help preserve this shared resource. More »

Artificial snow installations in the Alpine region

More and more ski runs in the Alps are equipped with installations for producing artificial snow. The topic itself is a controversial one in environmental and tourism circles. The background report contains facts on both the ecological and the economical aspects of artificial snow installations. The introduction looks at the early years of artificial snow-making equipment and the way in which it has developed; it is followed by an explanation of how the system works and the resources used by snow guns; a description of the situation in the Alps today; a review of the costs involved; and a discussion of the impact of artificial snow installations on the environment. The background report is rounded off by a chapter on climate change and the prospects for winter tourism. More »

Energy-efficient houses made from timber sourced from the Alpine region

Do you actually know how much money your house is losing you by using energy inefficiently? Why not save it instead - and treat yourself to a comfortable, healthy living environment into the bargain, with plenty of sunlight within your own four walls.
This Dossier is designed to help you do just that. It contains information on energy-efficient, resource-friendly construction and renovation methods and provides suggestions and advice on the use of locally sourced timber as a building material and fuel type.
Besides a background report you will also find instances of good practice well worth emulating, cross-links to the relevant literature and events, and also information on the latest developments in the area of sustainable building in the Alpine region.
The Dossier is the result of a project carried out in 2004 by CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, on behalf of the Principality of Liechtenstein. More »

Ecological networks

The background report which is part of the dossier "Ecological networks" contains relevant information on the instruments that play an important role in the establishment of ecological networks at global, pan-European, European, and national level. Although this report makes no claim to be exhaustive, it provides brief information on the most important instruments, such as conventions, legislation, regulations and programmes connected with ecological networks. In addition to the report, news, publications and links provide further information on the topic.
The idea for realising this dossier was borne in the frame of the seminar "Creation of ecological networks between alpine protected areas" which was organised by the Alpine Network of Protected Areas (ALPARC) on 7 and 8 November 2005 in Berchtesgaden, Germany.
The dossier was created thanks to the support of ALPARC and CIPRA and that of the German Environment Ministry, which bore the costs of translating it into French, German, Italian and Slovenian, and, last but not least, thanks to the experts who contributed their knowledge without remuneration. More »

Hydraulic power in the Alps

Does hydropower deliver green electricity?
Hydropower is a renewable source of energy. The use of hydropower is emission-free and has no negative impact on our environment. What's more, large quantities of electricity can be produced relatively cost-effectively. So what more could you ask for?
Well, the environmentally-conscious want more. The use of hydropower entails huge hydrological changes and major impacts on waterway systems. Entire eco-systems can be irreversibly damaged as a result. In the Alps in particular, the construction of hydropower stations has in the past destroyed natural and near-natural landscapes.
So is electricity from hydropower green or not? More »

Wind energy in the Alps

For some time now concerns about global warming and all its consequences, due mainly to the CO2 emissions released by the burning of fossil energy forms, have cleared the way for a rethink on fossil fuels.
The economic backdrop is also changing. Up until now, renewable energies had little chance of success as long as oil prices were falling. Now, however, renewable energies are becoming less expensive. Leading the way in matters of cost-effectiveness is wind energy. Meanwhile the price of crude oil has reached new highs, and the trend is upwards. Aside from the depletion of natural resources, oil cannot be relied on in future. More »

Leisure-related traffic

The background report for the "Mobility and Leisure" Dossier features the latest facts and figures on the subject of leisure-related traffic. What activities act as its driving force? What modes of transport are actually used? How do different countries compare? And what sort of problems does leisure-related mobility entail? The main section features examples of the implementation of sustainable mobility in leisure-related traffic in the Alpine region. The emphasis is on special public transport offers for leisure activities as well as projects for sustainable transport solutions for tourism. In countries such as Switzerland, Austria or Germany leisure-related traffic already accounts for 50 to 60% of the overall traffic volume. In these countries the proportion of private motorised traffic in leisure-related traffic is very high, at around 60% to 80%. That proportion of leisure-related traffic is set to increase in the future. More »

Eco-tourism in the Alps

In the Alps there are already many forms of nature-orientated tourism, which, in some of its fundamental objectives, is very much like eco-tourism. While nature-orientated tourism in the Alps has a great deal of potential when it comes to value added and niche appeal, it does not have the growth potential attributed to global eco-tourism. There are, however, signs that nature-orientated tourism will gain in significance in the Alps in the years to come. Current discussions on eco-tourism can provide the impetus for those responsible for tourism policy to give more thought to an overall strategy for nature-orientated tourism in the Alps, together with the key players operating at the grass-roots level. More »

Modern architecture in the Alps

The building methods which have typically been used in Alpine regions have always focused on the needs of the population living there and the necessities of survival. It is therefore an architectural style which has been dictated by the limitations and peculiarities of the regions themselves. The old buildings which are today considered typical or traditional are not the result of informed decisions, but the consequences of necessity. The different settlements, houses, stables, places of worship and outbuildings were built not according to particular architectural styles or personal tastes, but as a consequence of binding criteria and based on a balance which had to be struck. So is there such a thing as a modern architecture in the Alps? More »

Stormy times in mountain forests

In the 1990s four storms in the Alpine regions caused quite a stir: in February 1990 Vivian and Wiebke, and in December 1999 Lothar and Martin. What they all had in common was the devastation they caused; what was also remarkable was the short time span between them.
The Dossier's background report, which is available only in German, outlines the extent and causes of the damage caused in the forest areas and the way in which the storm areas were addressed depending on the different interests governing the use of those areas. More »

The upgrading of Alpine winter sports

The Dossier is dedicated to the topic of "The upgrading of Alpine winter sports". The background report describes the latest trends in winter sports in the Alps as well as their economic impact. The catchwords include "fun tourism", increased capacities, artificial snow and new developments. One important conclusion: at a time when the number of skiers is decreasing and global warming is increasing, the Alpine tourist resorts which will survive and succeed in preserving their autonomy are those which see nature and the landscape as their most precious asset and which come up with alternatives to one-sided ski tourism. More »