The CIPRA compact “Energy” provides an overview on energy use and energy production in the Alps and describes national and regional strategies for climate protection and climate adaptation. Here CIPRA gives its central statement on this issue: if we want to stem earth warming, increasing efficiency is important but not sufficient: we must reduce our consumption of energy services. Renewable energies must be imposed – with respect to this we must proceed carefully since even renewable energy sources hide significant potential for ecological conflicts. Particularly problematical sources are biomass, wind energy and the further exploitation of water energy in the Alps. If we want to change energy use we need a decentralised energy economy and macroeconomic measures. CIPRA’s demand in this field is to put together an “Energy Vision for the Alps”.
The third chapter focuses attention on the production of energy in the Alps and analyses various energy sources with respect to their sustainability: what potentials do energy sources have for an energy supply which is neutral towards the climate, and which sustainability issues can arise due to their increased use? The fourth chapter provides model examples: the sustainable energy supply in Achental, Bayern, the district heating station in Toblach, South Tyrol and the Energy School in Upper Bavaria show how this can be achieved and encourage its imitation. In chapter five the authors summarise their most significant notions and conclusions.
