Neßler: Active glacier protection instead of additional slopes and lifts – 2024-03-11 21:24:24

Greens: Consistent enforcement by the states and an end to EIA circumvention structures are called for

Vienna (OTS) – “Our glaciers are melting at a record pace and instead of protecting what is left as best as possible, projects in ski areas continue to be waved through by the countries. In view of the climate crisis, this is simply not acceptable,” says Barbara Neßler, tourism spokeswoman for the Green Party, regarding Greenpeace’s research into construction projects on glaciers. “We need active glacier protection and under no circumstances more lifts and slopes on the last remnants of the glacier. The process of assessing on a case-by-case basis whether an environmental impact assessment is necessary or not is far too often handled in a questionable manner by the countries responsible for it, so that, if possible, no in-depth assessments are carried out.”

“I demand consistent enforcement by the states and an end to EIA avoidance structures. This is the only way to best protect the dwindling glacier areas. Eleven of the 13 projects concern Tyrol, so there is an urgent need for action here. Images of excavators on the glaciers, like last year in Sölden, caused a stir nationally and internationally and damaged tourism. This shouldn’t have gone unnoticed by the Tyrolean state government. The exception rules in the Tyrolean cable car and ski area program must finally be deleted. “You finally have to admit to yourself: enough is enough,” says Neßler.

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