Alpine Climate Summit - Innovation for the environment

The Alpine Climate Summit, which took place for the first time this year, is an important step towards a green future. Numerous climate and environmental experts gathered on the Zugspitze for the event. From June 27 to 28, 2024, Germany's highest mountain was the venue for lively discussions and environmentally friendly solutions. In addition to the group of experts, there were exciting presentations and workshops, which were very well received by the guests. The event was broadcasted by various broadcasters, including ORF, N-tv, RTL and ProSieben.

The event was also awarded the title "GREEN EVENT TIROL basic". GREEN EVENTS TIROL is a programme of Klimabündnis Tirol and Umwelt Verein Tirol - for all regional organizers who are interested in sustainable event planning. Events that take ecological, social, economic and cultural sustainability into account receive this award. They reduce environmental pollution, conserve resources and support the regional economy.

Petra Fraune: The topic of sustainability is very important to us. It is part of the Tirolean Tourism strategy "The Tyrolean Way - perspectives for the responsible development of tourism". Quite recently, the decision was made that we will apply for the Austrian Ecolabel for the district of Reutte. Since last year, we also have a sustainability coordinator who takes care of such matters. Such a role is now mandatory for all tourism associations (TVB) in Tyrol. The TVBs Lechtal, Naturparkregion Reutte, Tannheimer Tal and Tiroler Zugspitz Arena have implemented this together, as we face similar challenges in terms of sustainability. This relates, for example, to mobility aspects such as how guests travel to the region. 

Petra Fraune: We asked ourselves the fundamental question of why we shouldn't talk more specifically about climate change and sustainability - that's how the idea for a round table on the Zugspitze, the border location between Bavaria and Tyrol, came about. On the Tyrolean side of the Zugspitze, experts discussed the biggest challenge of our time in the highest TV studio in the Alps at almost 3,000 meters. The project has been initiated with the agency ProMedia Kommunikation GmbH in Innsbruck. Additionally, the Lebensraum Tirol Holding, the Tirol Werbung, the Standortagentur Tirol, and the Agrarmarketing Tirol were also involved in the cooperation. It is our goal to communicate to the public that, for our destination development, we take the protection of our planet very seriously.

At the Alpine Climate Summit, experts from a range of fields, including meteorology, tourism, economy, politics, and authors from leading scientific media, come together to network and exchange ideas. Each participant contributes with its own unique perspective, giving the whole event a global perspective.

Petra Fraune: Patricio Hetfleisch, officer with statutory authority of the Tirol Werbung, presented the new travel information platform "GRETA" - which stands for Green Travel Alternatives. When booking a vacation, users can see which travel route has the lowest ecological footprint. Marcus Hofer, Managing Director of Standortagentur Tirol, presented the EU project "MountResilience", in which the state of Tyrol, the University of Innsbruck and, among others, Energieagentur Tirol are involved. The aim is to develop solutions that increase the resilience of European mountain regions against the climate change. In this regard Tyrol can score points for example with environmentally friendly ideas for the future of ski resorts. The start-up company Terawind is developing wind turbines specifically for strong winds, such as those that occur in the Alps, in order to convert them into electricity.

Petra Fraune: Star presenter Thore Schölermann hosted the ProSieben talk, which was broadcasted on TV and livestreamed as part of the 15th Green Seven Week. Verena Schneider presented a comparable format as part of 4GAMECHANGERS, which is available in the Vimeo media library. We were able to raise awareness among viewers and clearify that it's not five to twelve, but already twelve o`clock. This challenge affects us all, so we have to pull together.

Petra Fraune: It was crucial for us to find starting points that we could use to initiate active change - due to the new impulses we definitely succeeded in doing this. Gabriel Baunach, author of "Hoch die Hände, Klimawende!" (Raise your hands, climate change!), who speaks not of the ecological footprint, but of the ecological handprint, also gave us such a new impulse. He states that the former is associated with sacrifice and therefore has a negative connotation. However, if we manage to network with each other and get involved, we can transform the whole thing into a positive normality. This can only be achieved if we "lend a hand" in our daily lives.

Both events proved to be a complete success and it is therefore certain that another Alpine Climate Summit will take place next year. There is no doubt that environmental protection and sustainability will remain key issues in the future. With the help of active exchange and global networking, the TZA is well-positioned to adapt its own tourism to this future. And what better place to do this than Germany's highest peak?