Sustainable business in Tyrol: That was the 4th Change Summit
On Monday I found the “4th” in the “House of Music” in Innsbruck. Change Summit ”. The “Tirol Change Award” for sustainable living and doing business was also presented. Then the feasibility limits of sustainability and regionality in textile production were discussed.
Provincial councilors Anton Mattle (right) and Josef Margreiter (left) presented the award to René Föger.
© Franz Oss
“There is nothing good unless you do it”, Josef Margreiter, Managing Director of Lebensraum Tirol Holding, opened the fourth “Change Summit” and the associated “Tirol Change Award” yesterday. “Change” was the motto of the summit this year, at which experts from various fields discussed – and an award WILL be given to those who do good in a special way. Ten local companies, initiatives and personalities were nominated for the award, all rated by a jury of experts and a public vote based on the criteria of “sustainability, economic efficiency, innovative ability and charisma”.
📽️ Video stream | Tirol Change Award
The runner-up was the “Der Stern” hotel in Obsteig. Owner René Föger and his family have been campaigning for sustainability for years, created the first climate-neutral hotel in Austria and was “always a bit crazy”, as Karin Seiler, managing director of Innsbruck Tourismus, said. Governor Günther Platter (ÖVP) also congratulated the pioneering spirit and courage. The award was presented by the State Councilor for Economic Affairs, Anton Mattle (ÖVP). In addition to the “Der Stern” hotel, all the other nominees also demonstrated “that doing business in harmony with alpine nature can succeed,” emphasized Margreiter.
A project by the Tirol Shop also shows how difficult that can be. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, an attempt was made to manufacture a hat that was “made in Tyrol”, from the raw materials to the complete production. But since it is well known that little cotton grows in this country and sheep’s wool “scratches like the devil”, as Claudia Pichler from Tirol Werbung said, it was not that easy.
Musician Manu Delago and team tried it anyway and created a (successful) recipe made of 40 percent hemp, 60 percent sheep wool – made by hand, so not very compatible for the masses. The tools for this had to be borrowed from the Ötztal Museum, where polyester has actually been enjoying its retirement since the triumphant advance of polyester. But who knows if it will stay that way.
How much sustainability does consumption bear? “
Following the presentation of the “Tirol Change Awards”, leading experts discussed the limits of sustainability and regionality in textile production. Monika Hauck (creative economist, entrepreneur, social activist and city ambassador of the global social movement Fashion Revolution), Werner Boats (“pop star” among Austrian documentary filmmakers), fashion designer Markus Spatzier, glove manufacturer Markus Zanier and the musician Manu Delago will be there the question of where environmental protection begins and which promises are mere “greenwashing”.
📽️ Video stream | Tirol Change Summit