Political positions of CIPRA

Winter Olympics: the Alps are more than just a playground
Tourism & Leisure — Dec 10, 2025
Winter Olympics: the Alps are more than just a playground
Major, global sports events have the power to fascinate and inspire. Winter sports hold a special place in the Alps, with their deep-rooted tradition and passionate following. We however believe that, as they currently stand, the Winter Olympic Games are neither environmentally nor socially acceptable. Despite promises of reform, recent developments such as the preparations for Milano-Cortina 2026 and the 2030 Games in France, as well as the “privileged candidacy” of Switzerland for the Winter Games 2038, all prove that the Olympic model remains unsustainable. In recent decades, referendums (e.g. in Innsbruck, Sion, Munich, Grisons) have several times demonstrated that large segments of the population are no longer willing to pay the price of the Winter Olympics.
Open Letter: Protect the Alps from Excessive Transit Traffic
Mobility & Transport — Oct 08, 2025
Open Letter: Protect the Alps from Excessive Transit Traffic
The Alpine region is under increasing pressure — from the climate crisis, air pollution, and ever-growing traffic volumes. Numerous organisations, led by CIPRA International, have therefore addressed an open letter to Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and the transport ministers of the Alpine countries.
Position: Transport and mobility in the Alps
Mobility & Transport — Jun 17, 2025
Position: Transport and mobility in the Alps
In its new 40-page position paper, CIPRA outlines sustainable mobility in the Alpine region with the least possible negative impact of transport on the environment and people. In addition to travel, the paper also addresses commuter traffic, long-distance traffic and freight transport - supplemented with facts, concrete measures and good examples.

News on Alpine Politics

The Youth Parliament to the Alpine Convention campaigns for Alpine protected areas
Alpine Politics — Apr 12, 2024
Nora Leszczynski, CIPRA International
The Youth Parliament to the Alpine Convention campaigns for Alpine protected areas
A limited number of entrance tickets for protected areas, the designation of infrastructure-free zones and an excursion to protected areas anchored in the curriculum: the 18th Youth Parliament to the Alpine Convention (YPAC) focused on Alpine nature reserves. For the first time, there was also an exchange with the CIPRA Youth Council.
The urban exodus and the climate
Alpine Politics — Feb 01, 2024
Michael Gams, CIPRA International
The urban exodus and the climate
Many mountain regions in the Alps are affected by out-migration. However, climate change is also causing some people to migrate – at least temporarily – from the cities to the mountains, as an Italian research project shows.
Point of view: Mountains for everyone? Not a chance!
Tourism & Leisure — Jan 16, 2024
Henriette Adolf, CIPRA Germany
Point of view: Mountains for everyone? Not a chance!
Access to the mountains and mountain sports is often unfair, exclusive, segregating and discriminatory. Henriette Adolf, Deputy Executive Director of CIPRA Germany, argues in favour of equal participation in mountain sports.
2030 Winter Olympics in Nice
Alpine Politics — Jan 16, 2024
Michael Gams, CIPRA International
2030 Winter Olympics in Nice
Switzerland’s idea of decentralised, sustainable games has been rejected by the IOC. Instead, the French Mediterranean city of Nice is very likely to be awarded the contract.

Point of view of CIPRA

Point of view: For glaciers without a circus
Alpine Politics — Feb 17, 2020
alpMedia
Point of view: For glaciers without a circus
The largest glacier ski resort in the Alps is to be built in Tyrol, Austria - on already melting glaciers. The planned connection of the ski areas in Pitztal and Ötztal goes against all reason, says Kaspar Schuler, Co-Manager of CIPRA International.
Point of view: Equal opportunities for trains and trucks!
Mobility & Transport — Nov 07, 2019
alpMedia
Point of view: Equal opportunities for trains and trucks!
224 million tonnes of goods rolled through the Alps last year, a new record – more than two thirds of it on trucks. To decrease the pressure on nature and humans along the transit axes, railways and roads have be on the same level playing field, says Jakob Dietachmair, Project Manager at CIPRA International.
Point of view: Europe and its Alps
Apr 24, 2019
alpMedia
Point of view: Europe and its Alps
The fundamental question facing the direct elections to the European Parliament in May 2019 is: hat is the outlook – in Europe and in the Alps – for democracy and “good governance”? Erwin Rothgang, Vice-President of CIPRA International, argues for new forms of co-operation.