Hängebrücke im Klausbachtal_Gipfel_klein

Numerous investigations have shown the immense richness and benefits of biodiversity in the Alps, as well as what could be done to safeguard and ensure the continuance of this situation. However these findings have not been universally adopted in policies or by those responsible for implementing them. This is where the greenAlps project comes in: it investigates and takes the results from on-going and completed European projects, processes them and makes them accessible to the key stakeholders at regional, national and international level. The aim is to improve the framework conditions for sustainable, efficient European environmental policies that will protect and maintain nature in the Alps.

To ensure an intact biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystem services in the Alps, there is a requirement for long-term landscape planning, new methods of co-operation between the various stakeholders and decision-makers, as well as preventive measures.

The greenAlps project is based on the Econnect and recharge.green projects, amongst others. From 2008 to 2011 Econnect investigated how ecological network in the Alpine space could be improved via concrete measures and gave already concrete policy recommendations. The on-going recharge.green project is developing instruments to evaluate biodiversity and the services of ecosystems in the Alps in relation to the production of renewable energy.

The greenAlps project involves the major networks of NGOs, protected areas and research organisations in the Alps. The applicability of the strategic results and their transferability to European level will be tested in pilot areas that represent very different regions of the Alps: the National Parks of Triglav (SIovenia), Kalkalpen and Gesäuse (Austria) and Berchtesgaden (Germany) and the Prealpi Giulie Nature Park (Italy).

The lead partner of greenAlps is ALPARC, the Alpine Network of Protected Areas, further seven partners are involved. The project runs from September 2013 to November 2014 and is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the frame of the Alpine Space Programme.