Convention on the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention) (1991)
Convention on the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention)
Contracting parties:
The eight Alpine states Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland and the European Union. Germany ratified the convention in 1994.
Objectives:
The purpose of the convention is to protect the natural area of the Alps and foster sustainable development in this region. Particular importance is given to observing the economic and cultural interests of the local population. The convention envisages that measures be taken in the following thematic areas within the context of transboundary cooperation: population and culture, regional planning, prevention of air pollution, soil conservation, water management, conservation of nature and the countryside, mountain farming, mountain forests, tourism and recreation, transport, energy, and waste management.
Operations:
The Alpine Convention is a framework convention. To address the individual thematic areas, the member states negotiate implementation protocols which concretize the commitments of the contracting states and corresponding measures. At present (March 2006) the following protocols have been adopted, which, however, have not yet been ratified by all contracting states: conservation of nature and landscape, mountain farming, spatial planning, mountain forests, tourism, energy, soil protection, transport, dispute settlement. Furthermore, the Conference of Contracting Parties (the "Alpine Conference") in 2004 decided a Multi-Annual Work Programme for the period from 2005 to 2010. This defines four key issues and places the focus on implementation of the convention's objectives.
Secretariat:
Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention
Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 15
6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Tel.: +43 512 588589 0
Fax: +43 512 588589 20
E-Mail: 
info@alpconv.org
BfN activities:
In Germany, responsibility for implementing the Alpine Convention rests with the Free State of Bavaria, as within Germany only parts of Bavaria lie within the geographical scope of the convention. BfN can provide advice on technical and scientific matters. In 2007-2008, BfN held the presidency of the platform "Ecological Network" under the Alpine Convention. Since March 2009, after the Conference in Evian, France holds the presidency of the platform.
