In memoriam: Bruno Abegg

The Swiss economic geographer Bruno Abegg studied geography and economics in Zurich, obtaining his PhD in 1996, then spent ten years travelling and working in the private sector. On behalf of CIPRA, from 2008 to 2011 he scrutinised climate measures across various sectors in the Alpine region – ranging from energy, nature conservation, construction and renovation, and transport, to spatial planning and tourism. The thematic reports published as part of his work illustrated what intelligent climate action should look like. “My research has always been application-oriented”, Abegg said at the time, “which is why it is important to me that my findings are incorporated into practical environmental work.” CIPRA project manager Wolfgang Pfefferkorn recalls: “Bruno was our lead external expert on “cc.alps”, CIPRA’s first major climate project. His in-depth knowledge, clear views and excellent teamwork made a decisive contribution to the success of this project”.

Abegg’s field of expertise – economic geography – can provide answers when it comes to adapting to climate change, for example as regards tourism. “Most decision-makers in ski resorts want just one thing: for everything to stay as it is now”, he said. “But that means such areas remain permanently dependent on snow.” Citing precise figures, he highlighted the immense energy and water consumption, as well as the costs of artificial snowmaking. He also pointed to ecological problems and inevitable conflicts with other water users. Abegg also outlined potential solutions: climate-neutral hotels, a focus on year-round tourism, snow-independent activities, and transport and energy management. As a speaker at the 2009 CIPRA Annual Conference in Bolzano, he advocated for energy-self-sufficient regions, ranging from farms and valleys to entire countries.

After working as a scientific expert at CIPRA International from 2008 to 2011, he moved to the Institute for Tourism and Leisure Research at HTW Chur and, in 2013, to the University of Innsbruck. There, he conducted research and taught, amongst other things, as scientific co-director of alpS (Centre for Climate Change Adaptation). From 2019 until recently, he worked on a freelance basis at the University of St. Gallen as a senior scientist, consultant and lecturer. Bruno Abegg is survived by his wife and two children.

Obituary:

www.gedenkzeit.ch/traueranzeige/bruno-abegg (de)

Further information:

www.syntopia-alpina.ch/beitraege/fokus-wasser-beschneiung-im-spannungsfeld-von-wasserverfuegbarkeit-klimawandel-und-wirtschaftlichkeit (2026), www.uibk.ac.at/de/newsroom/2015/alpentourismus-unter-druck/ (2015), Energy-self-sufficient regions: empty phrase or sustainable strategy? (de, it)

References:

www.cipra.org/de/news/4369 and (Climate project cc.alps, 2011)