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The Alpine Convention – an international agreement with widespread dimensions

Birgit Dette

elni Review 2008, Issue 1,  pp. 39-49. https://doi.org/10.46850/elni.2008.007

The Alps are experiencing a dynamic development in different areas, such as economy, social development or cross-alpine traffic and at the same time are facing environmental changes that impair the living conditions of people as well as of its flora and fauna. It is therefore important that through the Alpine Convention an international treaty has been agreed upon for the protection of the Alps with an integrative approach, embracing ecological, economic and social aspects. This article provides an overview of the objectives and content of the Alpine Convention. It also takes a look at its genesis and implementation as well as the different stakeholders that are involved therein. The article further examines the specific characteristics of the Alpine Convention such as its mechanisms for dispute resolution and its aspects of public participation. In this context a parallel is drawn to the Aarhus Convention which is likewise an NGO-driven international Convention.

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