alpMedia Newsletter A CIPRA information service – 03.06.2015, Nr. 05/2015 www.cipra.org/alpmedia The real treasure of the Alps A Swiss energy producer is to receive a prize for finding a successful compromise between the protection and use of water: while the head of the Upper Allgäu district authority has approved the building of a small power plant in a protected area over the head of his own officials. Two examples of the tension existing between conservation and the energy transition. Eisenbrech gorge on the Ostrach: the unique landscape and water are the real treasure of the Alps. These should be preserved while successfully implementing the energy transition. © Julia Wehnert, Bund Naturschutz Water, in all its forms, is without doubt one of the most valuable resources of the Alps. There are also major interests where this treasure is of special importance: over 90 percent of Alpine watercourses are nowadays used and exploited to produce electricity using hydropower. Many strategy papers assign an important role for hydropower in the energy transition, for example in the Swiss town of Aarberg near Lake Biel and the Bavarian municipality of Bad Hindelang near Sonthofen. A power plant at any price Bad Hindelang has twice made recent headlines: it was once of the first places in Germany to be awarded the label of “Mountain Village” as an acknowledgment of sustainable tourism. However, in May 2015, the head of the Upper Allgäu district authority approved the construction of a small hydropower plant, even though the responsible official refused to sign the authorisation, the first time this had happened in Bavaria. The official was not alone in rejecting the project: the plans were regarded with considerable scepticism by the Environment Ministry in Munich, nature conservation associations and the German Alpine Association (DAV). The specific case involves a power plant in a previously unspoilt and pristine valley in the Allgäu High Alps nature reserve. The Ostrach stream flows through a gorge, which has no fewer than five levels of protection: as a national and European protected area, as a protected landscape, as a natural monument and as a bird sanctuary. The project envisages electricity being generated for 2,500 households even though the power plant will remain unused for up to 165 days a year, as little water flows through the Ostrach in winter. Both environmental organisations and private individuals have now filed objections with various authorities in order to protect this natural gem and to prevent a precedent from being created. The German Alpine Association even wants to retract the “Mountain Village” label. Renaturing as a business strategy On the other hand, the 2015 Swiss Water Prize has been awarded to the owner of the Aarberg power plant, BKW Energie AG, for its successful compromise between the protection and use of water. It is the first time that a company has received the prize, jointly awarded by Pro Natura and the Swiss Water Management Association, among others. The Aarberg power plant was built in the 1960s and is the first run-of-river plant in Switzerland to achieve the highest level of eco-certification. The company has so far invested six million Swiss francs in numerous environmental improvements around the plant to provide new habitats for animals and plants. The cost is borne not just by the company, but also by consumers. Municipalities, farmers and other private land and forest owners have also participated in the rehabilitation work. In her praise for the project, the representative of the Swiss Environment Ministry particularly highlighted this co-operation and discussion culture as contributing to its success. Alpine rivers are not renewable These two examples show that the balancing act between nature conservation and the energy transition can succeed and that at the same time the thirst for energy will not spare the unique landscapes and water courses that are the real treasure of the Alps. “Our first priority must be to reduce energy consumption in our society and to implement models such as the 2000-Watt society”, says Katharina Conradin, President of CIPRA. This includes a freeze on the construction of new hydroelectric plants and optimising existing plants. Because, as Conradin says, “Alpine rivers are not renewable”. Source and further information: http://www.alpenverein.de/presse/bergsteigerdoerfer-hinterstein- ramsau_aid_15232.html (de), http://www.sueddeutsche.de/bayern/naturschutzgebiet-im-allgaeu- kurioser-streit-um-wasserkraftwerk-1.2476121 (de), http://www.gewaesserpreis.ch/site/index.cfm?id_art=119000 (de), http://www.srf.ch/news/regional/bern-freiburg-wallis/kraftwerk-aarberg-fuer-engagement-im- naturschutz-ausgezeichnet (de) Point of view Making the Alpine Convention more interactive The effectiveness of the Alpine Convention is often called into question. A new approach could help reposition it as an engine of co- operation and sustainable development in the Alpine regions, says Claire Simon, Executive Director of CIPRA International. Claire Simon is executive director of CIPRA International © Martin Walser The Alpine Convention is currently preparing its work programme for the years 2017-2022. This is a good opportunity to discuss the fundamental questions regarding the critical topics and of working together. The German presidency and the permanent secretariat thus invited partners to a workshop held in mid-May and organised by the Liechtenstein delegation in Triesenberg. The interactive design of the workshop was a welcome innovation for the Alpine Convention. This first step has shown that more effective co-operation is possible within the framework of this international organisation. The workshop saw a thorough discussion of key challenges and opportunities in the Alps. Ground- breaking topics such as spatial planning, quality of life and youth came to the fore. Exchanges that went well beyond national mandates took place, with long-standing and experienced protagonists of the Alpine Convention sharing their ideas and visions with participants who were far less familiar with the international agreement. The results of the workshop provided suggestions for numerous activities on the part of the Alpine Convention and its partners. Events of this type can give the Alpine Convention new impetus, improve its visibility and increase its credibility and participation in its work. It is therefore important that the results from Triesenberg are duly taken into account by all parties to the Convention and included in the priorities and actions of the new work programme for the coming years. News from the CIPRA Initiating change for a good life in the Alps What does it take to ensure a good life in the Alps? What social and political changes are necessary? Answers will be provided at the annual CIPRA Conference to be held on 25 and 26 September 2015 in Ruggell, Liechtenstein. What do the inhabitants of the Alps need to achieve a sustainable life? CIPRA provides answers at its annual conference in 2015. © David Trilling Development needs change, both at the level of the individual and of society. This means abandoning old habits and daring to embrace the new in order to gain new perspectives and options for action. Annette Jenny from Switzerland, a senior project leader at econcept AG, will explain how eco-friendly behaviour can be encouraged in her presentation on the findings of environmental psychology at the 2015 CIPRA annual conference with its motto “Action for change! We need more than just declarations of intent” to be held in in Ruggell, Liechtenstein. In dialogue with André Stapfer of the University of Applied Sciences in Rapperswil, Switzerland and wolf expert Duccio Berzi from the Apennine mountains in Italy, participants will discuss changing practices in the protection of nature and the environment. Mayor Peter Brandauer will recount the changes brought about by sustainable transport in the Austrian municipality of Werfenweng. Jean- François Lopez from the Massif des Bauges nature park in France will report on how to change the behaviour of those who practise sports in Alpine mountain areas. Young people will relate their experiences with sustainable travel in the Alps as part of the Youth Alpine Express project. An initiatives market will provide an opportunity to exchange views with people from the Rhine Valley who have committed themselves to leading a “sufficient” lifestyle. On Saturday participants will tackle the topic of “Change” during the course of three excursions. The current programme, registration and more information can be found under www.cipra.org/de/jf2015. Closing date for registrations is 31.08.2015. Source: http://www.cipra.org/de/jf2015 (de) Young voices at the Expo Giving a voice to mountains all over the world – this is the idea behind the theme week on mountain areas being staged at the World Expo in Milan. CIPRA is there too, with brave young people and a very special concert. The “Alps. No limits” project intends to show the diversity of the Alps and how the region is facing common challenges, such as the participation of young people. © Heinz Heiss From 4 to 11 June 2015 mountain areas will be at the heart of Expo Milano. The “Mountain Week” will consider international co-operation, agriculture and sustainable development. CIPRA is contributing to two projects during this themed week. Three orchestras will be appearing for the first time on stage together. For these musicians from Italy, France and Slovenia the concert, held under the motto “The Alps. No limits”, is a real challenge: they live up to 800 kilometres apart, speak different languages and have different needs, such as the fact that 32 of the musicians have mental disabilities. This example of Alpine-wide co-operation can be heard at 6:00 pm on 6 June at Madonna del Piano di Bianzone and at 5:30 pm on 7 June in the “Cascina Triulza – Civil Society Pavilion” at the Expo.