Climate for Future: Climate Summit (Austria)

Event Background

The Alps and the Carpathians mountain ranges that cover half of Europe are a critical part of climate protection, as they serve as an early warning system for the negative effects of climate change on Europe. The issues that climate change brings to these areas demonstrate what the rest of Europe must prepare for.

About the Event

The summit will feature a range of keynote speeches, workshops and excursions, conducted by experts who will offer attendees opportunities to learn more about climate change and how it specifically affects the alpine environment.

Programme

Thursday 20th June

17:00 – Opening

18:00 – The climate and ecosystem crisis –

• Matthias Schickhofer, author of “Schwarzbuch Alpen – Why we have to save our mountains”.
• Christoph Matulla, climatologist, ZAMG Vienna. Comment Leonore Gewessler, Global 2000.
• Comment by Regina Hrbek.

20:00 – Dinner

21:00 – Climate change at all levels! Fish bowl discussion, with experts and politicians on the local and European level alternatively taking the ‘hot seat’.

Werner Kogler (Head of the Austrian Greens), Tom Waitz (MEP, Austria), Hannah Pfalzgraf ( youngest Cantonal Counselor of Switzerland), Gisela Sengl (Member of the Landtag, Bayern/Germany), Ingrid Felipe (Deputy Governor, Tyrol/Austria), Eva Lichtenberger (former MEP, Austria), Ewa Dziedzic (Federal Counselor, Austria), Helga Krismer (Member of the Landtag, Lower Austria), Norbert Lantschner (Member of the Landtag, Upper Adige/Italy), Johann Döller (Mayor Reichenau/Austria), et al.

Friday 21st June

09:30 – Workshops

Workshop 1: Climate Change, Economy and Environment
With experts and international initiatives.

Workshop 2: Climate Change and Us – Politics and Society
Best practices and new ways of cooperation.

12:30 – Climate change is system change. Synthesis and political mission.

14:00 Lunch buffet and graduation.

Supporting program (optional) for those who want to celebrate the longest day of the year with vision:
Afternoon trip by cable car to the Rax
In the evening, bonfires and festivities at the Biohof Babiol, Edlach / Rax.

The full programme in German can be found here. 

Practicalities

Language: the majority of the summit will be in German, with some activities accessible in English.

Transport:
Take the train to Payerbach / Bahnhof.
From there take the Höllentalbahn (museum train) to Hirschwang (departure 14:25, arrival 14:50).

Registration

Please register via the registration form found here (in German).