Energy & nature in the Alps: a balancing act. Perpetual calendar

The Alps have great potential for the use of renewable energy. This, however, means increasing pressures on nature. What could be the impact of such changes on the habitats of animals and plants? How do they affect land use and soil quality? How much renewable energy can reasonably be used? The recharge.green project brought together 15 partners to develop strategies and tools for decision-making on such issues. The analysis and comparison of the costs and benefits of renewable energy, eco-system services, and potential trade-offs was a key component in this process. The recharge.green project also raised the awareness of energy producers, politicians, consultants, authorities, NGOs and young people on how to meet the demand for renewable energies with-out causing damage to nature. The project organised internation-al conferences, training courses and implementation workshops on this topic. The results have been published in several reports, available on the project website. This perpetual calendar explains the main project findings, in par-ticular to decision-makers from local to Alps-wide level. It takes readers through the decision-making process that the fictional town of “Alpine Vale” goes through when discussing the potential use of renewable energy