The principle of an organic circle region is based on the closing of economic and ecological cycles in a region. "Economically, for example through a strong and common good cooperation of crafts, businesses, communities and tourism, ecologically through the promotion of organic farming in the region," explains Reinhard Verdorfer, Director of Bioland Südtirol. "This also includes the systematic replacing of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, for the heating of buildings or in transport and traffic."
With measures like these, the parties from agriculture, tourism and society could take meaningful action against climate change, Bioland farmer and hotelier Walter Steger believes: "Organic regions and the associated circular economy are the right way to go and have an internal and external signalling effect for guests and consumers."
"Examples of the successful implementation of organic circular regions can be found with our neighbours in Bavaria, where 27 regions have united to form so-called eco-model regions," says managing director Reinhard Verdorfer. There are also 22 such organic regions in Italy. "It is now up to us in South Tyrol to introduce similar models.
"The drought, the floods, the increase in severe weather conditions and finally the pandemic have shown that we need to take care of our soil, our environment and also our fellow human beings. Sustainability must become more than an advertising slogan. Perhaps the time is now ripe," says Bioland President Toni Riegler.
For more information: 
Raiffeisenverband Südtirol
Raiffeisenstraße 2
39100 Bozen
+39 0471 945 111
verband@raiffeisen.it
www.raiffeisenverband.it/de
Bioland e.V. 
Kaiserstr. 18 · 55116 Mainz
+49 6131 239 79 0
info@bioland.de
www.bioland.de/suedtirol