Alpine Conference: German Presidency a success
The Alps are to become a model region for climate-friendly and resource-efficient economic practices. On German initiative, representatives of all eight Alpine countries will adopt corresponding recommendations today at the XIVth Alpine Conference in Grassau am Chiemsee. Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, President of the Alpine Conference for the last two years, will pass on the office to her Austrian counterpart Andrä Rupprechter.
Minister Hendricks explained: "The Alps are particularly affected by climate change. Glaciers are melting, snow lines are shifting, biodiversity is declining. The Alps need our protection. The region is counting on global climate action efforts, but it has to take major steps itself. This is why the Alpine Conference, at my suggestion, adopted recommendations that will make the Alps a model region for climate-friendly, resource-efficient development in Europe."
The Report on the State of the Alps, produced under the auspices of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and entitled "Greening the Economy in the Alpine Region", shows that the region already offers many examples of innovative and sustainable management practices. The Alpine countries now intend to build on these – for example, in regard to sustainable tourism, the nature-friendly expansion of renewable energy, marketing of local sustainable products and cooperation between stakeholders in industry and nature conservation.
The German Presidency of the bodies of the Alpine Convention from 2015 to 2016 will come to a close with the XIVth Alpine Conference. Minister Hendricks gave a positive assessment: "We are satisfied with the results of our presidency. We were able to significantly raise the profile of climate action and energy efficiency within the Alpine Convention with a series of projects. In addition, we gave particular attention to implementing the Alpine Convention in cooperation with civil society."
The Federal Environment Ministry provided non-governmental organisations from the Alpine region with around 1.2 million euros for the implementation of projects on biodiversity, climate action, environmental education, rural integration and Alpine cultural diversity during the period of the presidency. In addition, a number of projects were implemented in close cooperation with the Bavarian state administration. These included Federal Environment Ministry initiatives on climate action, zero-energy buildings, establishment of ecological networks, soil protection and sustainable water management. Federal projects on sustainable spatial development, sustainable tourism, nature-friendly expansion of renewable energy and mountain farming were also supported.
The Alpine Convention is an international agreement on the protection and sustainable development of the Alps. Parties to the convention include the Alpine countries and the European Union. The Alpine Conference is the biennial meeting of the party countries’ environment ministers. On the occasion of the XIVth Alpine Conference, the convention presidency will pass from Germany to Austria for the years 2017 to 2018.