The world’s forests are precious and delicate ecosystems that give humanity so much. We should work together to protect and treasure our forests.
Espace Mont-Blanc to protect the one of Europe’s highest peaks
Italy, France and Switzerland, united under the banner of the Espace Mont-Blanc project, and committed to protecting the mountain from further environmental depletion.
International cooperation pays off and the three countries involved in the great conservation effort around the Mont-Blanc area know it well. Italy, France and Switzerland started work collaboratively, founding the Espace Mont-Blanc in 1991. The idea originated in occasion of the celebration of the bicentennial of the first ascent of one of the highest peaks in Europe.
A privileged laboratory of experimentation between three countries, around one geographic region of incomparable importance: the Mont-Blanc. The aim was and still is to work on the sustainable development and preservation of the delicate mountainous area, where in just 150 years the surface of perennial snow has shrunk about 50 per cent. This year Espace Mont-Blanc celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Eco innovation en altitude
A trans-boundary cooperation project involving numerous experimental activities on the effects of climate change at high altitudes was started in 2013. A fruitful collaboration, Eco innovation en altitude had the major goal of finding lasting solutions for the management of high altitude structures such as huts and bivouacs.
The project lasted two years during which the countries shared knowledge and best practices and defined common strategies to spread awareness on environmental sustainability. Different actions were taken, such as the environmental campaign that engaged more than 500 hikers. High altitude refuges such as Rifugio Guide del Cervino were directly involved as well: energy efficient systems to treat grey water were installed and tested, along with new systems to handle waste and recycle better. Refuge hosts were trained on sustainability practices. Environmental audits were conducted during the project to evaluate the experiments.
A future of sustainable development
After years of study and work, in 2006 Espace Mont-Blanc developed the Sustainable Development Schema. Between 2007 and 2013, the Plan Intégré Transfrontalier (Transboundary Integrated Plan, or PIT), financed by the European programme for France-Italy cooperation (ALCOTRA), led to the realisation of concrete actions. Today the Espace Mont-Blanc launches the priorities issued by its Stratégie d’Avenir Pour le Mont Blanc (Strategy for the Future of Mont Blanc). In 2014 The Mont Blanc Transboundary Conference approved the Strategy for the Future, a major tool for ensuring consistency of public policies regarding the territories around Mont Blanc.
Quest'opera è distribuita con Licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Non opere derivate 4.0 Internazionale.
It has taken 15 years of negotiations but the world’s governments have finally reached an agreement to protect the oceans and the high seas.
The extent of sea ice in Antarctica reached a new record low on 21st February 2023.
Communities in Kwa-Zulu Natal have been at loggerheads with Tendele Coal Mine over land destruction, water pollution and the killing of activists.
BNP Paribas has been sued by three French NGOs. This lawsuit marks the first time ever that a commercial bank is sued over its fossil fuel financing.
There are still a lot of unknowns regarding last month’s train derailment in Ohio, especially in terms of its consequences on the environment and health.
Nicole Menemene founded Plastycor to help fight plastic pollution, inspiring women and young people to join the cause and protect the environment.
Assam state in north-east India has won international appreciation for its successful efforts to stop rhino poaching, with zero deaths recorded in 2022.
The Po river basin, vital to part of Italy’s agriculture, is already in crisis: without rain in March or April, the drought will be worse than last year.