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Dossiers
alpMedia dossiers address current issues and provide in-depth information on them. The dossiers consist of a a background report plus news, publications, positions and links, grouped by language. Additional relevant material on the issues can be found in other language versions of the dossiers.
2012-02-11
Alpine rivers supply more than 170 millions of people with water. Climate change is going to reduce this water availability in the Alps and also in other regions. Water demand will rise as well as the competition between different stakeholder groups. In the 31-page compact CIPRA presents reports showing the effects from climate change to water utility, as well as political instruments and good practice examples. Because only an efficient water usage is sustainable! <br/><br/>Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2010-02-11
The CIPRA compact “Energy” provides an overview on energy use and energy production in the Alps and describes national and regional strategies for climate protection and climate adaptation.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2012-02-11
Climate Change challenges the alpine tourism. On the one hand it has to adapt to climate change, simultaneously it has to become more climate neutral. Especially the sectors of traffic and energy offer huge potentials to CO2-reduction. Authorities have to direct the development into a sustainable direction.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2012-02-11
The agricultural sector is directly affected by climate change impacts but it also contributes to the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) and rising concentrations of GHG in the atmosphere. A sustainable climate response strategy in the field of agriculture involves anticipating, planning and long-term thinking from farm level to transnational level. Prominent fields of activity are sustainable land and soil management, sustainable water management, managing manure and soil carbon as well as organic agriculture as an overall strategy. As agriculture is a highly subsidized economic sector, subvention policy can be used as a lever to guide the sector to sustainability and climate neutrality.<br/><br/>Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2010-02-11
The CIPRA compact “Nature Protection“ provides an overview on actions for nature protection in the Alps to limit climate change and adapt to it. Through restoring the natural state of bogs and fens, a near-natural cultivation of forests, the revitalisation of rivers and the creation of ecological networks, nature protection can provide an essential contribution to climate protection while also ecologically enhancing habitats in the Alps and protecting the population from natural hazards.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2010-10-25
This compact provides an overview of energy self-sufficient regions in the Alps. Chapter 2 describes in a nutshell CIPRA’s central concern to make the Alps energy self-sufficient. Chapter 3 explores the idea of energy selfsufficiency in more detail. The most common arguments in favour of creating an energy self-sufficient region are then summarised. Chapter 5 looks at the individual building blocks, networks and structures that make up the energy self-sufficiency process; details of regional energy concepts are outlined and the success factors that promote the development of energy regions listed. Chapter 6 draws conclusions and then presents a number of examples of good practice from the Alpine region: three predominantly rural regions, one urban initiative from Bolzano and the state of Vorarlberg representing a larger region.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2012-02-11
This CIPRA compact offers an overview on transport projects in the Alps for the reduction and adaptation to climate change. CIPRA shows its main stance on this point: if we do not change our mobility behaviours, climate objectives will not be reached! Truck transport must become more expensive and environmental transport types must be clearly forced.<br/><br/>Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2012-02-11
This CIPRA compact offers an overview on spatial planning measures in the Alps for the reduction and adaptation to climate change. Spatial planning can contribute with its tools to ensure climate storage areas such as swamps, forests and river areas and prepare areas for the production of renewable energies. It is fundamental that spatial planning decisions regarding space and settlement structures are moved from local to regional level.<br/><br/>Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2010-10-12
This CIPRA compact offers an overview on building projects in the Alps for the reduction and adaptation to climate change. CIPRA shows its main stance on this point: building renovation is a fundamental contribution to climate protection. In new buildings the passive house standard must be introduced in the Alps. The house of the future will even produce energy!
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2010-02-11
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.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2008-03-15
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.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2010-02-11
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?
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2010-02-11
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.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2008-03-15
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.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2008-03-15
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.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2008-03-15
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?
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2010-05-05
In nature and species conservation a paradigm shift has started in the last few years: static nature protection in isolated protected areas is not sufficient for conserving biodiversity, but approaches are needed that take the dynamic of nature and land use change into account. This change of attitudes contributed to the establishment of the model of a functioning ecological network in the Alps, which can contribute to conserve the extraordinary rich Alpine diversity. The background report provides summary information on key instruments such as conventions, legislation, regulations and programmes relating to ecological networks at national and global level. Particular attention has been paid to information from the Alpine region. The Report also explains why ecological networks are important and how they work. Examples of international, alpine-wide, national and regional projects illustrate what different stakeholders are doing to improve the network situation.
Further information on the subject in various languages can be found on www.alpine-ecological-network.org under the headings: News, Events, Information services - Publications and Links
2008-03-15
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.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2008-03-15
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.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
2010-02-11
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.
Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.
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