What ideas the Alpine-Initiative comes up with

Never lost for an idea. Since 1989, people from the Alpine Initiative have committed themselves to protecting the mountains they live in. They win every referendum and their style is known all over Europe: competent, convincing and always good for a surprise.

April 2012 – noise study

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Brücke Gotthard

On International Noise Awareness Day, the Alpine Initiative presented a study that shows that noise pollution in the Leventina and Reuss valleys would decrease significantly if fewer or no trucks were to drive through these areas. As of 2016 (when the Gotthard base tunnel opens), piggyback trains could transport HGV transit traffic during the renovation of the Gotthard road tunnel and maybe also subsequently.

March 2012 – south-north-coalition

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The “For a sustainable and reliable south-north-link” coalition made its first official appearance in Bern. It comprises 14 organisations from the Swiss canton of Ticino as well as numerous individuals, and is coordinated by the Alpine Initiative. Their common goal is to maintain Ticino as a canton worth living in and to protect it from a further increase in HGV transit traffic. The coalition also explicitly supports the renovation of the Gotthard road tunnel without the construction of a second bore.

November 2011 – Dimitri

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November 2011 - Der bekannte Clown Dimitri, Mitglied der Alpen-Initiative, hat sich nach den nationalen Wahlen mit einem offenen Brief an die Mitglieder des Nationalrats und des Ständerats gewandt. Die Parlamentarierinnen und Parlamentarier sollen doch bitte dafür sorgen, dass die Alpen vor den Transitlastwagen geschützt werden.

The well-known clown Dimitri, a member of the Alpine Initiative, addressed members of the National Council and the Council of States (Lower and Upper Chambers of the Swiss Parliament) in an open letter after the national elections. He asked Members of Parliament to ensure that the Alps were protected from transit traffic.

November 2011 – Franz Hohler

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The author Franz Hohler has been supporting the Alpine Initiative for many years now. In 2011, he wrote a total of five articles on his hikes and treks for the Alpine Initiative’s “Echo” magazine.

May 2011 – Uri says no to a second road tunnel for the 3rd time

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The people of Uri reject both an initiative by the Young Swiss People’s Party (56.9% of votes) and the counter-proposal by the cantonal government (68.6% of votes). Both proposals requested a second Gotthard road tunnel. The Alpine Initiative fought against both proposals, instead asking the Swiss Federation to introduce rail transport for both cars and trucks to take account of the regions’ concerns.

February 2011 – NRLA – piggyback transport for trucks!

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The Alpine Initiative proposes to introduce a permanent piggyback transport solution for trucks in the Gotthard base tunnel. At the same time, only trucks for local transport are to be permitted in the renovated road tunnel. This concept will enable a “lightweight” renovation, freight transfer in line with Swiss legislation and will lead to increased safety.

May 2010 – German transport politicians and the Alpine Crossing Exchange

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At the invitation of the Alpine Initiative, a group of transport politicians from the German Parliament visited the NRLA (new rail link through the Alps) building site and the heavy goods transport centre in Erstfeld. This enabled the Alpine Initiative to familiarise the group with both Swiss transport policy and the Alpine Crossing Exchange project.

February 2010 – Expert report

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Together with a group of experts, the Alpine Initiative worked out a traffic management proposal for the renovation of the Gotthard road tunnel. All traffic is to be transferred to the Göschenen-Airolo rail tunnel (cars) and the new Erstfeld – Biasca base tunnel (trucks). This has now become the official proposal of the Swiss Federation.

December 2009 – World Climate Summit in Copenhagen

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During the journey from Brussels to the World Climate Summit in Copenhagen on the international Climate Express, the Alpine Initiative presented European railway stakeholders with its policy ideas for transferring freight from road to rail. The climate-neutral journey was initiated by the International Union of Railways (UIC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

December 2009 – The Alpine Initiative in Brussels

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On International Mountain Day, the Alpine Initiative let the tones of an alphorn resound around the European Parliament and served dishes from the Alpine area with the help of the canteen chef. In addition to culinary specialties, the information stand also presented a tempting new recipe for the “Alpine Crossing Exchange”.

August 2009 – Alpine bonfire in Basel

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The Alpine Initiative’s huge torchlight lettering on the old DB goods rail yard drew attention to the threat of megatrucks. At the same time we helped to organize a major anti-megatruck-coalition, recruiting more than 40 members. Cantonal initiatives against megatrucks were organized in about a dozen different Swiss cantons.
 

May 2009 – Big celebration for a sustainable future

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About 250 guests celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Alpine Initiative and the 15th anniversary of the Article on the Protection of the Alps in Flüelen on May 9th. Many prominent figures honoured our event with their presence. We will nevertheless remain a thorn in their side and persistently work towards implementing the Article on the Protection of the Alps.

December 2008 - A smart idea for the Alpine Crossing Exchange

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From 14 December 2009 onward, the Intercity 543 from Salzburg to Vienna will be named „Alpentransitbörse“ (Alpine Crossing Exchange) for two years. The name will be announced at each stop and be mentioned in the train timetables, the train information leaflets distributed on the trains, on the train displays and also displayed on the train itself. 

September 2008 - S-Cargo Helveticus is trying hard...

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To win over National Councillors (Members of the Swiss Parliament) for the transfer of freight traffic from road to rail, the Alpine Initiative sweetened its request with delicious S-Cargo Helveticus chocolates.

July 2008 - Keep an eye on the protection of the Alps

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With ironic postcards addressed to the National Councillors (Members of the Swiss Parliament), supporters of the Alpine Initiative reminded their politicians of the Article on the Protection of the Alps and demanded a consistent transfer of freight transport from road to rail. This action was to remind the National Council of the will of the Swiss people during the upcoming parliamentary debate on the Freight Traffic Transfer Act in September.

October 2007 - The moment of truth has come

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In a symbolic action, members of the Alpine Initiative distributed sausages, which are a symbol of the moment of truth in German-speaking countries, to parliamentarians in front of the Swiss Pparliament. They did this to highlight their request to the Council of States (Small Chamber) to adopt the Alpine Crossing Exchange and transfer transalpine freight traffic from road to rail.

August 2007 – Alpine bonfire on the Furka pass

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More than 200 people joined an “Alpine warning bonfire”. With the bonfire and the closing of the pass for vehicles, the Alpine Initiative, together with the FreiPass association, took a stance against the further postponement of the transfer of freight from road to rail. 

January 2007 - Alpine Initiative is awarded Prix Watt dOr

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The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) awarded the Prix Watt d’Or to the Alpine Initiative for its innovative idea of an Alpine Crossing Exchange.

November 2006 - Popular Consultation on freight transfer from road to rail

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During a “popular consultation” of the Alpine Initiative, more than 40,000 citizens demanded that the Federal Council (Swiss Government) finally does its job properly.

April to October 2006 – “forza 2009! Goods by rail – according to plan”

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With weekly activities over a six-month period, the Alpine Initiative’s “forza 2009!” campaign fought against the further postponement of the transfer of freight from road to rail. 

November 2005 - Red Devils Stone for Trimmis incineration plant

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In Eastern Switzerland, waste trucks cross each other heading in opposite directions. A number of trucks transport waste from Southern Germany to Trimmis in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. At the same time, the Oberengadin Waste Management Association exports its waste from Graubünden to Niederurnen, in the canton of Glarus. The Trimmis incinerator also burns waste from Ticino.

July 2005 - Protest action against the delay of the transfer from road to rail

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In a reaction to the preliminary draft of the Transit Traffic Transfer Act, the Alpine Initiative protested against the delay of the transfer from road to rail. “Echo” magazine n° 82 contained postcards that were to be sent to the Swiss Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger. People could also send e-cards to the Federal Office of Transport, to push for the transfer from road to rail. The action was a success, with numerous cards being sent

November 2004 - The Alps still suffer from a surfeit of trucks

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On the occasion of the publication of the second transfer report, an action by the Alpine Initiative in front of the Swiss Parliament illustrated that the Alps were still suffering from a surfeit of trucks. The speed of the transfer from road to rail remains inadequate. To achieve the transfer objective, it would be necessary to transfer 10.5 per cent of freight traffic or 108,000 trips per year. Only an Alpine Crossing Exchange, with clear limits on transit trips, will relieve the Alps from this malady.

October 2004 - Red Devil’s Stone for Délifrance SA

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The Alpine Initiative regularly draws the public’s attention to absurd transport by awarding the “Red Devil’s Stone”. In 2004, this little-coveted prize is awarded to Délifrance SA. Délifrance bread is produced in the Netherlands and then transported to Swiss shops where it is baked.

February 2004 - The Swiss people say no to the „Avanti rip-off“

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On February 8th, the Swiss electorate reject the Avanti counter-proposal with a majority of 62.8%; at a canton level the road lobby even suffers a 26:0 defeat. Shortly before the 10th anniversary of the constitutional article for the protection of the Alps, the Swiss thus clearly reject an undermining of the protection of the Alps. Contrary to a majority of the parliament, the Swiss people do not want to have anything to do with doubling the capacity of the St. Gotthard road tunnel. This success confirms the Alpine Initiative in its commitment.

October 2003 - Red Devil’s Stone for Nestlé Waters

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On 6 October 2003, activists of the Alpine Initiative present Nestlé Waters (Switzerland) with the Red Devil’s Stone at the company’s headquarters in Gland VD. Nestlé Water is a worldwide leader in the marketing of water and generates vast quantities of absurd transport by making profits out of water.

August 2003 - Demonstration against congested thinking in transport policy

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On the Gotthard Pass, the Alpine Initiative and Leventina Vivibile demonstrate against the Avanti Initiative and doubling the capacity of the St. Gotthard road tunnel. After the unveiling of a commemorative “think about it” stone in protest against congested thinking in transport policy, a bonfire is lit to draw attention to the resistance against road transport.

February 2003 - More roads don’t create more jobs

Using the example of two regions in the Swiss canton Uri, economist Pia Steiner shows that a good transport network stops neither a population exodus nor job losses. The study was commissioned by the Alpine Initiative.

February 2003 - No more polluting lorries in Switzerland

The pre-1988 “Euro 0” category of lorries is no longer allowed to use the Mont Blanc and Fréjus tunnels nor, in the near future, the Brenner Pass. The Alpine Initiative demands that these foul polluting lorries are also banned across Switzerland.

October 2002 - Commemoration of the accident in the St. Gotthard tunnel

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The Alpine Initiative uses huge candles to commemorate the eleven people killed during the accident in the St. Gotthard road tunnel a year earlier.

October 2002 - Eventful autumn in Courmayeur

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The Mont Blanc tunnel entrance is blocked once again to protest against its use by heavy lorries. The demonstration is supported by the Alpine Initiative.

October 2002 - Award of the Red Devil’s Stone

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The Swiss supermarkets Migros and Coop transport their whipped cream up to 2,000 km to have it packaged into spray cans. This nonsensical transport wins the Alpine Initiative’s first “Red Devil’s Stone” award.

June 2002 - Massive demonstrations at the Mont Blanc tunnel

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Several thousand people, including activists from the Alpine Initiative, block the entry to the Mont Blanc tunnel to demonstrate against the use of the tunnel by heavy lorries.

May 2002 - Together against noise

Together with the Swiss Doctors for the Environment, the Alpine Initiative shows how much of a negative effect permanent noise pollution has.

May 2002 - Demand for an Alpine Crossing Exchange

The Alpine Initiative proposes the introduction of an Alpine Crossing  Exchange. This is to help regulate traffic at its source.

April 2002 - Enormous success for the Alpine tunnel petition

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The Alpine tunnel petition is submitted in Bern with around 137,000 signatures.

April 2002 - Transit conference in Munich

The international transit conference in Munich discusses sustainable mobility in the Alpine region.

April 2002 - First report on the transfer of traffic

The first report on the transfer of traffic by the Swiss government shows that transport trends in Switzerland are moving in the right direction, but that there is still a long way to go.

February 2002 - Launching of an Alpine petition

The launching of the Alpine tunnel petition in Göschenen, Airolo and Thusis opens the campaign against the doubling of the capacity of the St. Gotthard road tunnel.

November 2001 - Mountain manifesto

Together with 93 other environmental and transport organisations from across Europe, the Alpine Initiative launches the mountain manifesto, a catalogue of demands for an international policy on Alpine transport that is environmentally friendly and socially compatible.

October 2001 - Accident in the St. Gotthard road tunnel

Eleven people die in a tragic accident in the St. Gotthard road tunnel

October 2001 - International Action Day

Before the reopening of the Mont Blanc Tunnel, a big demonstration is held on and near the Fréjus motorway. A dozen solidarity actions are also held in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

September 2001 - Ban on Mont Blanc Lorries

At a press conference in Bern the Alpine Initiative supports the demand of the population of the Chamonix valley, who demand that lorries are no longer allowed to use the Mont Blanc tunnel after its reopening.

August 2001 - Warning fires in the Alps

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During the night of Saturday, 11 August 2001, numerous warning and resistance fires are lit across the entire Alpine region from Vienna to Nice

Juily 2001 - Alpine Express

The Alpine Initiative asks the railways to increase their provision and make it more attractive and to thus make a contribution to reducing traffic jams at the St. Gotthard tunnel

May 2001 - Solidarity at the Mont Blanc tunnel

The Alpine Initiative shows solidarity with the population of the Mont Blanc area and demands that the tunnel must not be reopened for lorries. Instead, the government should push through the transfer of freight traffic to from road to rail.

March 2001 - Transit conference in Locarno

The international transit conference in Locarno addresses the dangers of transporting hazardous material.

February 2001 - Kilometre-based HGV taxes for the whole of Europe

The Alpine Initiative asks for a European-wide introduction of a kilometre-based tax on heavy goods vehicles along the lines of the Swiss model.

November 2000 - Submission of the Avanti Initiative

The Avanti Initiative which, among other things, asks for a second bore for the St. Gotthard road tunnel, i.e. the doubling of its capacity is submitted to the Swiss authorities. The Alpine Initiative, together with 20 other environmental organisations, gets organised to fight this push for new roads.

August 2000 - 20th anniversary of the St. Gotthard road tunnel

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On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the St Gotthard road tunnel, the Alpine Initiative dresses the devil’s stone near the motorway in red, erects a commemorative sculpture by Fredy Odermatt and holds a demonstration party to draw people’s attention to the problem of increasing transit traffic.

July 2000 - Alpine Initiative in Liechtenstein

The Liechtenstein population is asked to vote on an initiative similar to the Swiss model. It targets the increasing transit traffic from Germany via Lake Constance and Liechtenstein in the direction of the San Bernardino Pass.

May 2000 - Breathless

An in-depth study by the Alpine Initiative demonstrates the effects of Alpine transit traffic on air pollution and thus the quality of life in Alpine valleys.

April 2000 - Change of Leadership

A new president for the Alpine Initiative: Fabio Pedrina replaces Andreas Weissen.

March 2000 - Transit conference in Chamonix

The transit conference in Chamonix addresses the tragic accident in the Mont Blanc tunnel and the explosive growth in traffic.

February 2000 - Alpine Initiative demands piggyback transport

Shortly after the catastrophes in the Mont Blanc and Tauern tunnels, the Alpine Initiative asks for piggyback transport of lorries on the St. Gotthard railway between Göschenen and Airolo to reduce the risk of accidents in the St. Gotthard road tunnel.

December 1999 - Signing of the transport agreement

The Swiss government and the EU agree on a bilateral land transport agreement. In a joint press release, the environmental and transport organisations Alpine Initiative, VCS, Greenpeace, Pro Natura and WWF and the railworkers’ trade union SEV warn of the negative effects of the treaty and explicitly ask for accompanying measures within Switzerland.

October 1999 - St. Gotthard motorway blocked

A rock concert on the Saint Gotthard motorway blocks the road for about an hour.

June 1999 - Demand for a European kilometre tax for heavy goods vehicles

Together with other environmental organisations, the Alpine Initiative launches an international petition to the European Parliament in which it asks for the introduction of a kilometre-based HGV tax for the whole of Europe.

March 1999 - Disaster in the Mont Blanc Road Tunnel

A transit lorry catches fire in the tunnel. 39 people are killed.

February 1999 - Transit conference in Arles-sur-Rhone

The fifth international transit conference takes place in Southern France. It debates the regional economy, transport infrastructures, citizens’ participation and a kilometre-based vehicle tax for the whole of Europe.

November 1998 - Switzerland accepts financing of public sector projects

The Swiss people accept the law on the construction and financing of infrastructure projects in the public transport sector with a majority of 63.5%.

September 1998 - Switzerland adopts a kilometre-based heavy vehicles tax

A kilometre-based heavy vehicles tax is adopted by the Swiss people with an unexpectedly decisive majority of 57.2%.

Autumn 1998 – the Alpine Initiative supports the FPT

Under the leadership of the SEV trade union, the Alpine Initiative, together with the SGB trade union and the VCS transport association, committed itself for a yes vote in the referendum on the financing of infrastructure projects in the public transport sector (FPT). 

Summer 1998 – Alpine Initiative demands kilometre-based HGV tax

Together with Greenpeace, the SEV (Swiss rail workers trade union), the SGB (Swiss Trade Union Federation) and the VCS (Swiss Transport Association), the Alpine Initiative played a leading role in the campaign for a yes vote in the referendum on the introduction of a kilometre-based HGV tax.

December 1997 – 10th anniversary of the Alpine Initiative

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The Alpine Initiative celebrates its 10^th anniversary.   

October 1997 - A night ban for the whole of Europe

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On the occasion of an international action day, the Alpine Initiative demands the observance of the night ban in Switzerland and its extension to the whole of Europe.

June 1997 - One third of the deadline has expired

A third of the ten-year period set by the people to the authorities to shift freight transit to rail has elapsed. In memory of this, three blue Alpine ibexes made of wood stand on the A2 in Uri and in Ticino.

March 1997 - Giezendanner vs. Alpine Initiative

Swiss people’s party (SVP) National councillor and haulier Ulrich Giezendanner wants to “correct” the Article on the Protection of the Alps by means of a parliamentary initiative.

February 1997 - Transit conference in Innsbruck

Innsbruck hosts the fourth international transit conference which discusses the topic of true costs.

October 1996 – Alpine Initiative demands push for rail

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The Alpine Initiative’s “Mehr Zug!” rally in Flüelen, demanding a push for rail, puts pressure on the Swiss government. 

June 1996 - First blockade of the St. Gotthard motorway

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The St. Gotthard action committee “Transfer Now” blocks the St. Gotthard motorway.

March 1996 - No doubling of the St. Gotthard road tunnel

Parliament clearly rejects the parliamentary Borer initiative (second bore of the St. Gotthard road tunnel).

October 1995 - Parliament supports Alpine Initiative

The parliamentary Schmidhalter initiative (which aims to annul the Alpine Initiative) is rejected by a roll call of the National Council.

February 1995 - An Alpine Initiative for the whole of Europe

The participants of the second international transit conference in Lucerne demand an Alpine Initiative for the whole of Europe.

July 1994 - Call for a new vote

The general secretary of the Swiss ministry for transport, Fritz Mühlemann, wants to put the Alpine Initiative to the vote once again.

June 1994 – Green light for the N9 motorway

Parliament gives the green light for the construction of the N9 motorway in the Upper Valais. 

20. February 1994 - The Alpine Initiative is adopted

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The Alpine Initiative is adopted by the Swiss people with a majority 954,433 votes (52%). 19 of the 26 cantons adopt the first popular initiative originating in the Alpine region.

September 1993 - First international transit conference

The Alpine Initiative organises the first international transit conference in Basel.

June 1993 - Committe against the Alpine Initiative

The Council of States (small chamber of the Swiss Parliament) rejects the Alpine Initiative and 100 parliamentarians form a committee against the Alpine Initiative.

December 1992 - National Council says no as well

The National Council (big chamber of the Swiss Parliament) rejects the Alpine Initiative.

February 1992 - The Swiss government says no

The Federal Council (the Swiss goverment) rejects the Alpine Initiative.

August 1991 - The first tranche of Alpine resistance fires

For the first time, alpine fires are lit all over the Alpine arc as a sign of resistance against the pollution of the Alps.

May 1990 - Submission of the initiative

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The signatures of the Alpine Initiative are submitted to the Swiss authorities. The initiative has been signed by 107,570 people.

May 1989 - Launching of the Alpine Initiative

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The historic Schöllenenschlucht gorge hosts the inaugural festival of the popular initiative “for the protection of the Alpine region from transit traffic” (the “Alpine Initiative” for short). It includes a press conference and the performance of a modern version of the famous myth of the devil’s bridge.

December 1987 - First meeting

Environmental supporters and left-wingers from the Swiss mountain cantons hold their first transport meeting in Andermatt.