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For its 13th edition, the gathering of mountain regions in motion looked at a major challenge. The great climate exodus is looming: what scenarios should we expect?

We’ve seen it over the last four years: the combination of intense summer heat and the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated and increased the need for space and altitude among a whole section of the population. With their flexibility and technological accessibility, mountain regions suddenly have a new appeal, at a time when their economic model is being called into question by the decline in snow cover and the pressure on winter revenues. How should we tackle these changes? What mistakes should we avoid repeating? What opportunities can be seized?

On 21 and 22 August, the Moving Mountains Forum in Les Diablerets (VD, Switzerland) brought together sustainability experts, federal and cantonal authorities and mountain municipalities from Switzerland and abroad, representatives from the academic world, professionals from the tourism and mountain economy, cultural and social players and civil society.

Wednesday August 21st

2:00 pm | Reception of participants at the Centre des Congrès Claude-Nicollier

2:30 pm | Reconversion, instructions for use. The example of the Jura Arc

With:

  • Nadia Mettraux, Director, Association pour le développement du Nord vaudois (ADNV)
  • Anne Sophie Fioretto, Associate Professor HES-SO, specialist in the conversion of alpine resorts
  • Jean-Marie Hommel,Chairman of the Board of Directors, Station les Bugnenets-Savagnières SA (BE/NE)
  • Jacques Haldi, President of the La Robella cooperative (NE)
  • Luca Micheli, operator of the mixed mountain bike/ski lift at Valbirse (BE)

4:00 pm | Call for projects for sustainable transition.

A program to co-finance, monitor and implement sustainable transformation projects in the mountains. With the support of the Office cantonal de la durabilité eu du climat and the Service de la Promotion de l’Economie et de l’Innovation du Canton de Vaud. Presentation by Yves Loerincik, project manager, sustainable economy, OCDC, and Benoît Charrière, Moving Mountains committee.

4:30 pm | Break

5:00 pm | The great challenge of mobility. The Vaud example

With Nuria Gorrite, State Councillor, Head of the Department of Culture, Infrastructure and Human Resources, Canton of Vaud

5:20pm | Collective mobility efforts: three Alpine examples

With:

  • Grégoire Praz, Director of TPC
  • Yves Marclay, Director of RegionAlps SA (the example of Le Châble station)
  • Philippe Varone, President of Sion, for the Sion-Veysonnaz and Bramois-Nax gondola projects

18:30 | Aperitif

Hosted by Christian Reber, Syndic of Ormont-Dessus, at Chalet des Sources

7:30 pm | Country-style meal

At Chalet des Sources hosted by the Liebreich Foundation – with the participation of State Councillor Nuria Gorrite (VD)

Thursday August 22nd

8:30am | Breakfast “Votre Cercle de Vie” products at Château d’Oex

 

9:00am | InnHub, a visionary project in La Punt (Engadine)

Presentation by Jon Erni, General Manager, Finance & Partnerships and Sabine Kollbrunner, Co-Head of Regional Policy at SECO

 

9:50am | Innovative energy solutions in the mountains

With Daniel Oechslin, owner and president of Oe.energy, Luca Zucchetto, CCO of Solarsplit (mobile application that guides users through the process of installing and investing in solar panels), and the participation of Michaël Berset (Business Development of innovative solar solutions at Romande Energie).

 

10:20 a.m | Break

 

10:50 a.m | Climate exodus scenarios

Nicola Braghieri, Professor EPFL, “Habitat humain: étude sur le territoire alpin” program

 

11:15am | Mountain architecture and construction: sustainable solutions for all?

Round table with:

  • Heinz Beer, Managing Director, Beer Holzbau AG
  • Thomas Egger, Director, SAB (Swiss Association for Mountain Regions)
  • Yvonne Wespi, president of the Nouveau Comté cooperative (affordable housing in Château d’Oex) with Maximilien Stauber

 

12:00 am | Un p’tit coin durable

The development of 50 public dry toilets built with Vaudois wood, with Sébastien Kulling, Managing Partner, Enitia, wood innovation consultant, Joël Morerod, Director, Morerod SA and François Calame, Director, Solarmobility Surly

 

12:20 pm | Skiing in 2050: the three Villars-LesDiablerets-Gryon projects

Discussion with Martin Deburaux, TVGD Director.

 

12:40 pm | Conclusion of the Forum

 

1:00 pm | Lunch

Presented by Isenau 360 and Les Diablerets merchants

©Christophe Racat/ecovillages/DR