International conference on balancing renewable energy and nature in the Alps

The demand for renewable energy is growing all over Europe. With abundant forests, rivers, mountains and plenty of sunshine, the Alpine countries possess optimal conditions for the production of energy from renewable sources. At the same time they are a unique habitat for animals, plants and people. It is a great challenge for society in the Alpine Space to determine where renewable sources can be safely used and where exploitation will have deleterious effects on human welfare, biodiversity, landscape and soils in the Alps.

The partners of the international project recharge.green are currently working to reconcile the use of renewable energy sources with nature protection and ecosystem service provisioning while keeping conflicts to a minimum. The project is establishing a decision-support-system for politicians and energy producers to facilitate the use of renewable energy resources in the Alpine region, while ensuring sustainable land use and preserving the unique biodiversity and soils.

The conference open to all interested. For more information please visit the recharge.green Web Page.

IIASA Presentations:

12 November, 13:30
Anthony Patt, RPV and ETH Zurich
Climate policy goals and the changing role of hydro-power in the European energy system

12 November, 16:00 
Florian Kraxner, ESM
Holding the balance in the Alps: bioenergy target versus ecosystem services

Full Program (PDF)

Last edited: 29 October 2013