Sustainability-oriented Saalfelden Leogang
Sustainable Development Goals explained
KEM and KLAR as partners
KEM is the abbreviation for Climate and Energy Model Region. This is a funding programme of the Climate and Energy Fund that supports Austrian municipalities on their way to energy self-sufficiency. Through targeted public relations work, awareness raising, exploitation of energy potentials and the promotion of an optimal use of natural resources, sustainable management is to be promoted in the region and climate and energy policy goals are to be achieved. There are now almost 100 climate and energy model regions throughout Austria that are working together for a climate-neutral Austria. The Saalfelden Leogang region is involved in three initiatives with one municipality each (all links in german).
In the summer of 2022, the largest KLAR (climate change adaptation region) region in Austria started its implementation.
respACT - austrian business council for sustainable development
respACT is Austria's leading corporate platform for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development.
The association currently supports its more than 300 member companies in achieving ecological and social goals economically and responsibly. Saalfelden Leogang is the first and currently the only tourism association as a member.
Further measures in the region
Ten business checks for tourism businesses are regularly (most recently in 2021) supported with project funding. This covers a large part of the costs and enables these ten businesses to receive the Sustainability Business Check. The aim is to make the inhibition threshold for expert advice as low as possible. To show the farms indidvudal ways and to support them in their first steps in the field of sustainability. It is important here to take the approach of cost savings as a hook to link the topic of efficiency and sustainability.
This has led to an increase in the number of certified businesses in the region (eco-label, Klimabündis, AMA, etc.). This model has already been successfully adopted by other tourism regions.
Together with the Umweltservice Salzburg, the three tourism regions Zell am See Kaprun, Saalbach Hinterglemm and Saalfelden Leogang invited to a free webinar. Title: WEBINAR COST-EFFECTIVE INTO THE FUTURE - From the heating oil ban to the eco-label. Here, all participants received an overview of funding opportunities on the topic of sustainability. From measures to phase out oil and gas to the possibilities of the Austrian Eco-label and other funding offers.
In order to offer businesses an additional incentive to behave more sustainably, a separate marketing group was founded, among other things. This is specifically displayed in the selection of booking options. It is also included in marketing measures specifically on the topic of sustainable offers.
Sporting activity, switching off, enjoying nature - there are many motivations for hiking. In the omnipresent hustle and bustle, however, there is a growing desire to "just go hiking" - without any fuss. Under the motto "Simply Hiking", hiking trails in Saalfelden Leogang are supplemented with unobtrusive, regionally produced installations to encourage people to pause and reflect on the here and now.
When maintaining the hiking trails and paths, care is taken, similar to trail construction, to avoid massive interventions and instead to design the hiking trail with mainly muscle power in harmony with nature and the respective condition of the ground.
Excavators and heavy equipment are banned and only muscle power and shovels are used to insert the line for the bikers along the natural features. Here the premise is with nature and not against it.
Organic farms account for around 65% of agriculture in Saalfelden Leogang. Farm shops and a very differentiated range of products have grown out of this. From traditional products such as cheese and milk to spelt rice and vegetables. In addition to the numerous partnerships, this is also promoted with the region's own label Echt.Gsund.Guat.
Echt.Gsund.Guat
What makes the Saalfelden Leogang region so special as a place to live and work? Through various projects, employees of all businesses are promoted in cooperation with local businesses. Happy employees, create happy guests and customers. That is one of the goals of this initiative in Saalfelden Leogang, which is open to all sectors of the economy.
In addition to a training series specifically for employees, there is also one for tourism businesses with the aim of increasing quality in general. A different focus is set here every year.
Whether it's a long business trip to Vienna, a visit to a partner festival in South Tyrol or the organisation of an event in our region. Different types of mobility come into play.
Company climate ticket for the province of Salzburg (private use also permitted)
Company pool car EQV from Mercedes-Benz (electricity Salzburg AG)
The Saalfelden Leogang Card is included with overnight stays at partner establishments. This offers numerous discounts and benefits, including all public transport services of the Salzburg Transport Association and its partners in the entire Pinzgau region.
As a tourism region, it is important for us to connect all stakeholders on various topics. The close exchange with municipalities, the province, the federal government, organisations (Climate Alliance, Alpine Club, etc.) as well as residents and guests is implemented in various formats.
Sustainability at events
In addition to sustainability in tourism, criteria have also been developed for the event sector, with which Austria can now score points as probably the most sustainable event destination in the world. In Saalfelden Leogang there is a wide range of events that take place under the Green Events label.