Activities

The Alpine Initiative is the central pillar of Swiss Transport Policy. The "Article on the Protection of the Alps" in the Swiss Constitution carries an obligation to protect the sensitive Alpine region from the negative effects of transit traffic. The Swiss people's "yes" to the Alpine Initiative was a revolutionary turning point towards a progressive transport policy. This policy remains a model for many European countries. Despite the many successes, however, there is still a long way to go.

This is why the Alpine Initiative continues to speak out for concrete steps to be taken by the Swiss Government in order to transfer long-distance freight transport from road to rail. This voice is absolutely vital. The road lobby has tried again and again to sabotage the protection of the Alps. Until now, however, the Alpine Initiative has fended off all attacks.

The Alpine Initiative has launched the idea of an Alpine Crossing Exchange. This would make it possible reduce heavy goods vehicle transport in an efficient and non-discriminatory way using market economy tools.

Unnecessary transport must be avoided. This is why the Alpine Initiative awards the “Red Devil’s Stone” to products that cause absurd transport. In doing so, it wants to make producers and consumers more aware of the effects of transport, and highlight the fact that a much of today’s transport is unnecessary.

The Alpine Initiative also makes a significant contribution to the international network of those who oppose transit traffic. It cooperates closely with environmental and transport groups in Europe which have similar goals. It plays an active role within their umbrella organisation, the European Transport Initiative (ITE). The Alpine Initiative is also a member of T&E -Transport and Environment, a European federation of non-governmental organisations that are active in the area of transport and the environment, and that support an environmentally sound approach to transport. The Alpine Initiative is a partner of T&E's "Sustainable Freight Transport"project. For further information on our partner organisations and their projects please have a look at > Partner.

The Alpine Initiative is working towards a rapid ratification of the implementation protocols of the Alpine Convention, which lay down the protection of the Alps from transit traffic at an international level.

The Alpine Initiative issues various publications to make people conscious of the transport problems in the Alps. The Echo magazine reports on transport policy and Alpine protection at least four times a year. The Alpine Initiative also provides in-depth background information on topics such as noise, air, road building, freight transport, etc. in the form of studies, which it commissions. These scientific papers are then used as the basis for fact sheets for the general public.

The Alpine Initiative offers a variety of highly enjoyable hikes, enabling members to directly experience the beautiful nature in the Alps which deserves our protection.

The Alpine Initiative's mail order service offers products that promote the Alpine Initiative, useful gifts and a selection of the most important topical books on the Alps. Your orders promote ecological companies in the Swiss Alps and support the future activities of the Alpine Initiative.