Greening the economy Programme | Umweltbundesamt

About the conference

The Federal Republic of Germany represented, by the German Environment Agency, and the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention are pleased to invite you to the Alpine-wide conference on “Greening the Economy in the Alpine Region”.

Aim of the Conference is to inform about the outcomes of the sixth Report on the State of the Alps on Green Economy in the Alpine region and to discuss with stakeholders from business, public authorities, research and civil society from all Alpine countries how to implement specific approaches to a Green Economy in the Alps.

Conference languages are German, French, Italian and Slovenian. Simultaneous interpretation into all languages will be provided for the plenary sessions. Panels will mainly take place in English, selected interpretation will be provided.

Programme:

Moderation: Christian Baumgartner (response & ability)

9:30 Registration

10:30 Welcome and key note speeches

Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter (Parliamentary State Secretary, German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety)

Markus Reiterer (Secretary General, Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention)

Gabriele Bauer (Lord Mayor, City of Rosenheim)

Hans-Joachim Hermann (German Environment Agency, Presidency of the ad hoc expert group for the preparation of the sixth Report on the State of the Alps)

11:30 Key findings of the sixth Report on the State of the Alps and current activities of the Alpine Convention

Stefan Marzelli (ifuplan)
Vivien Führ (agado) 
Aureliano Piva (Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention)

12:30 Lunch break

14:00 Parallel panel discussions

Panel 1: Green regional economic development

Panel abstract:

Regional approaches to sustainable economy have the potential to foster innovative economic development in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, transport or energy. The production and promotion of regional sustainable products and the recognition and use of the regional natural and cultural capital are two important instruments to achieve a green regional economic development. Less costs, innovation and the use of the endogenous potential increase the economic competitiveness of regional economies. 

Moderation: Stefan Marzelli (ifuplan)

Contributions by:

• Andreas Roß (Wirtschaftsforum Oberland, Germany): “The Sustainability Declaration Benediktbeuren as a basis for Green Economy in the Oberland”
• Marzio Demartini (Associazione Pro Brontallo, Switzerland): “Development programme Brontallo”
• Wolfgang Wimmer (Ökomodell Achental, Germany): “100% from the region for the region – sustainable energy supply in Achental”

Panel 2: Innovation for more sustainability

Panel abstract:

In order to face future challenges such as climate change, demographic change and the loss of biodiversity, there is a need for absolute decoupling of environmental pressure and economic growth and thus for innovative solutions to current tasks. Taking into account the environmental and cultural resources of the Alps, there is an important innovation potential in the Alpine region. Innovations, however, often come from researchers and SMEs which have limited resources and restricted access to financing. Consequently, many innovations do not reach the market. There is a need for organisational and financial support and platforms where researchers, SMEs, clients, public authorities and investors can meet.

Moderation: Hans-Joachim Hermann (German Environment Agency)

Contributions by:

• Gabriele Grea (Urbano Creativo, Italy): "Financing innovation: Jam Bite - joint advanced meetings in the Alps"
• Sandra Fausch (ideenkanal, Liechtenstein): “Supporting innovative ideas und crowdfunding”
• Andrea Sgarbossa (City of Trento, Italy): "Innovative management of natural reserves in the Alpine Town Trento"

Panel 3: Climate-neutral Alpine municipalities

Panel abstract:

An increasing number of municipalities in the Alps is taking action for climate protection and aims at climate neutrality.  At the same time, climate initiatives go beyond the energy sector itself, involving also lifestyles. Related topics, in particular housing, mobility, construction, tourism, agriculture and spatial planning, must be incorporated into climate strategies. A holistic approach calling for cooperation among various actors and the integration of sectoral activities is needed.

Moderation: Andreas Pichler (CIPRA International)

Contributions by:

• Thierry Billet (Vice Mayor of Annecy, France): "Energy management in Annecy"
• Pirmin Moser (Municipality of Sattel, Switzerland): “Climate neutral tourism”
• Jerney Sever (City of Idrija, Slovenia): "Joining forces for sustainable lifestyles"

Panel 4: Well-being and sustainable lifestyles

This panel will take place in German. Kindly let us know with your registration if you wish to participate but need translation and we will try to fulfil your requests.

Panel abstract:

Green Economy can contribute to well-being by creating jobs, improving residents' health and by reducing energy costs also for consumers. At the same time, through conscious consumer behaviour, citizens can improve their quality of life, support the regional economy and contribute to resource efficiency. Making “real prices” visible through the internalisation of external costs can trigger and support behavioural change of consumers.  

Moderation: Ingrid Fischer (Third Mayor of Sonthofen)

• Claudia Sacher (feld association, Austria): “Using the unused – best practice from Austria!”
• Jakob Dietachmair (CIPRA International, Liechtenstein): “100 max – the Alpine initiative for climate protection”
• Cristian Gelleri (Chiemgauer e.V., Germany) : "Chiemgauer - a regional currency” 

15:30 Coffee break

16:00 Summary of the panel discussions and perspectives for a Green Economy in the Alps

Christian Baumgartner (response & ability), moderators of panels and Markus Reiterer (Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention) summarise and discuss panel outcomes.

17:00 Farewell and end of conference