The aim is to end poverty in all its forms and everywhere.

By 2030, the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty according to the Austrian definition is to be reduced by at least half. According to Statistics Austria, 14.8% of the Austrian population were at risk of poverty in 2022 - this includes people with a net income of less than 1392 euros per month.

These figures continue to rise every year. Single parents and the long-term unemployed are particularly affected. Tourism businesses can help to combat poverty by paying employees fairly and distributing tourism income more widely among the population. In the Montafon, it is particularly important to create equal and fair opportunities for land ownership, financial services and new technologies.

The aim is to end hunger and promote responsible agriculture. Access to healthy food should be ensured, taking into account the nutritional needs of marginalized groups such as pregnant women or the sick. The aim is to ensure that agriculture can withstand the more frequent extreme weather events (drought and flooding due to climate change, etc.).

There is still some untapped potential in the area of organic farming in Vorarlberg, but agriculture is already making a significant contribution to the preservation of the cultural landscape. One significant success in preserving genetic diversity is the conservation of the endangered Montafon stone sheep and the traditional Montafon brown cattle breed.

Tourism also plays a key role when it comes to promoting and marketing regional, organic or fairtrade food, reducing food waste and encouraging others to rethink their approach

The aim is to ensure a healthy life for all people of all ages and to promote their well-being.

Physical and mental illnesses are to be successfully combated and substance abuse reduced. Locals and guests find optimal recreational opportunities in the Montafon, which contributes to preventative healthcare. The sports and leisure facilities, as well as the events in the valley, bring added health value for all who enjoy them, thus increasing the quality of life and recreation.

This is also about safe transportation and lower CO2 emissions, for example. According to the Austrian Transport Club, it is safer on average to travel by public transport than by private car. In addition, less CO2 is emitted into the air on a per capita basis

The aim is to ensure inclusive, equal and high-quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

A well-trained workforce is crucial for the tourism industry. It is therefore important to invest in affordable (further) education. In the Montafon, there is the Host Academy, Topjobs Vorarlberg (formerly the Montafon employer brand) and the Education Days for the further training of hosts in tourism. A lot is also done for apprentices in the valley and the reputation of tourism professions. There is also close cooperation with the tourism schools in Vorarlberg.

By documenting, researching and communicating our cultural heritage, the Stand Montafon and the Montafon Heritage Society, as operators of the Montafon museums and the Montafon Archive, also have an important role to play in relation to SDG 4. Only a strong community that is aware of its cultural and traditional values and draws its conclusions for the present from the past can move into the future more resiliently on this foundation.

Furthermore, the protection of the world heritage must be guaranteed. The Montafon dialect is an intangible UNESCO World Heritage Site and should be preserved and protected through proper use.

The aim is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

According to the Federal Chancellery, the average gross annual income of women in full-time, year-round employment was 14.3% lower than that of men in 2019. In Vorarlberg, the figure is as high as 22% according to the Eco Austria Institute. According to the Eco Institute, the pay gap is greatest where there is the greatest need to catch up in terms of childcare provision.

The Montafon Family Center offers childcare in the valley, but childcare is used less in rural areas than in cities. According to the Federal Chancellery, 47.5% of women in Austria work part-time because they take on more care work. With around 54% of employees being female, tourism has the opportunity to specifically support women by making full-time employment attractive, offering flexible working time models and also filling management positions with women.

The aim is to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.

The hydropower available in Vorarlberg is a renewable energy source that is used responsibly by illwerke vkw in order to meet both the needs of the people and the requirements of environmental protection. "The sustainable expansion of hydropower is a key factor on Vorarlberg's path to energy autonomy. All political parties have agreed on this in a joint state parliament resolution."(illwerke vkw)

This is one of the reasons why the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption is comparatively high in Vorarlberg at 40.5%. The aim of Energy Autonomy Vorarlberg is to achieve an increase to 50% by 2030. To achieve this energy transition, more PV systems must be installed in the Montafon and hydropower must continue to be promoted. At the same time, energy consumption, which is higher in Vorarlberg than the Austrian average, must be reduced.

Tourism in the Montafon can contribute to this by, for example, further expanding and promoting e-charging stations for electromobility in the Montafon, encouraging hosts and guests to save energy, and better communicating information on the topic of saving energy and electricity.

The aim is to make cities and communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. On the one hand, this includes adequate and affordable housing.

Although property prices in the district of Bludenz are below the national average, there is still a shortage of affordable housing. By creating additional living space and limiting the number of second homes, municipalities can partially counteract these circumstances.

Investments in public transportation should make the Montafon more accessible. E-car sharing is also possible in some municipalities. In the tourist communities (Gaschurn, St. Gallenkirch, Schruns, Tschagguns, Silbertal, Bartholomäberg, Vandans and St. Anton i. M.), the "go&ko" call-and-collect cab is available in the evenings in addition to buses and trains.

In addition, two out of ten municipalities in the Montafon are part of the e5 program, which aims to achieve an efficient and climate-friendly use of energy, e.g. through the renovation of old buildings. The municipality of Silbertal is also distinguished by the Mission Zero pilot project, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The regional spatial development concept sets out all of the municipalities' goals and measures for the future.

The aim is to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Through tourism, countless encounters between people from different cultural backgrounds take place in the Montafon. This gives those involved in tourism the opportunity to promote tolerance and understanding between different cultures. The Montafon has strong institutions, e.g. the Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Montafon (WIMO), the Stand Montafon (community association) or the Tourism Advisory Board (representatives from politics and tourism).

Sustainability certification and a comprehensive environmental management system (e.g. Ökoprofit) can help businesses to strengthen and consciously implement their future-oriented efforts. Montafon Tourismus and some other businesses are actively pursuing a certification process, because change starts in your own business.

The aim of SDG 17 is to strengthen the means of implementation and breathe new life into the global partnership for sustainable development.

In general, implementing the SDGs is a major challenge for all countries and regions. It is therefore particularly important that each and every individual from the tourism (industry), politics or society takes responsibility and focuses more on cooperation.

In this context, SDG 17 - partnerships to achieve the goals - is of outstanding importance among the SDGs and is also of great significance for the Montafon. More cooperation and exchange within tourism and with other sectors are the basis for future-oriented action.

Given its cross-sectoral nature, Montafon tourism can strengthen cooperation and encourage players to work together at several levels. It is important that the DMO (Montafon Tourismus), the economy, protected areas and politics in the Montafon work together more closely so that they can exchange, pool and efficiently use knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources for the benefit of sustainable development.
The Montafon demonstrates strong partnerships in projects such as nature-friendly mountain sports, as all key stakeholders from different sectors come together and pull in the same direction. The Montafon brand with its more than 200 brand ambassadors promotes a uniform goal: to make the Montafon a future-oriented, resilient and strong destination.

The aim is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

We want to use and protect the precious resource of water responsibly. Vorarlberg is one of the wettest and most water-rich regions in Europe. According to a report by the state of Vorarlberg from 2018, there is over three times more precipitation than in rainy London - around 1900 liters per year and square meter. This means that we often record the highest levels of precipitation in the entire Alpine region.

But there are also plenty of natural springs in Vorralberg, for example the Montafon is home to the Lederquelle spring in the Gampadellstal valley , one of the most water-rich springs in the whole of Europe. As the water comes directly from inside the mountain, it is very pure, rich in minerals and has a constant temperature of four degrees Celsius all year round.

However, in line with the motto "Don't save what's left over after spending, spend what's left over after saving" (Warren Buffett), we have nevertheless set ourselves the goal of using our precious water sparingly. Especially as only around 10% of the water resources in Vorralberg are actually usable. Otherwise the impact on the groundwater table would be too great. It is therefore important to reduce water use and avoid wasting water in order to strengthen resilience to dry periods.

We want to safeguard the drinking water resources in our natural area for the future and ensure a cross-municipal (emergency) supply. Through regular inspections by the authorities and education, we promote its use and raise awareness among residents (locals and guests) both temporarily and permanently.

The aim is to take immediate action to combat climate change and its effects.

Tourism both contributes to and is influenced by climate change. It is therefore in the industry's interest to play a leading role in the response to climate change. Ski tourism, for example, has already been feeling the effects of climate change for years (postponed seasons, shorter seasons) and (mountain railroad) companies are increasingly focusing on creating year-round or snow-independent offers.

In addition, reducing energy consumption and switching to renewable energy sources, particularly in the transportation and accommodation sectors, helps to reduce CO2 emissions in the region. Some establishments calculate their CO2 emissions for monitoring purposes (e.g. with turn2zero or myclimate).

In addition, the preservation of moors and forests as CO2 reservoirs is just as important as biodiversity as a contribution to resilience against environmental changes caused by climate change. Protected areas, such as the Wiegensee and Verwall European nature reserves, as well as appropriate education, serve this purpose.

The aim is to conserve and use oceans, seas and marine resources in the interests of sustainable development.

Although there is no marine tourism in the Montafon, the countless streams and lakes are an attractive destination for locals and visitors alike. The attractiveness of these bodies of water, especially those close to the valley, means that there is potential for ecological improvement in the condition of the surface waters. However, the drinking water quality in the Montafon is excellent.

In addition to countless mountain lakes, there are over 90 km of watercourses in the valley. In consideration of the ecological habitat, no fish species foreign to the region should be released and the waters should not be used as a waste disposal site.

The aim is to protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

People come and stay in the Montafon because of the impressive landscape. According to the Verwall-Klostertaler Bergwälder nature conservation association, 27.98% of the total area of Vorarlberg is protected to varying degrees - 18% of which are Natura 2000 areas. Regular monitoring of endangered species and active measures to improve the habitat take place there.

One of the aims of the Montafon Forest Fund (association of municipalities) is to manage the forests to protect against natural hazards and to maintain water and air quality. In terms of soil degradation, there is still a need for action in Vorarlberg, as land sealing is steadily increasing. Some organizations use seed mixtures for the greening of farmland that are adapted to the special characteristics of the high altitudes in the Montafon.

The goal by 2030 is to promote lasting, broad-based and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in the Montafon. According to the annual report of Montafon Tourismus GmbH, tourism brings over 18,500 euros per inhabitant into the Montafon every year. The aim of the accommodation master plan is to demonstrate resource-conserving, healthy and long-term growth of the bed infrastructure. This goal requires, among other things, the further development of sustainable and future-oriented tourism, which creates fairly paid (if possible year-round) jobs and values and promotes local culture and society.

The aim is to build a resilient infrastructure, promote broad-based and sustainable industrialization and support innovation.

In 2022, Montafon Tourismus GmbH founded the PIZ Montafon - Future Laboratory for Sustainable Tourism, making it an absolute pioneer throughout Austria on the path to sustainable development. The tourism infrastructure is also constantly being expanded with innovative offers and scientific projects are continuously supported.

In addition, cooperation and exchange between companies, political bodies, locals and tourism are constantly being developed so that everyone involved can position themselves more resiliently for the future.

The aim is to reduce inequality within and between countries. To ensure that all people have the same opportunities for positive economic development regardless of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, origin, religion, etc., it is important to include them in (political) decisions.

Tourism in the Montafon sees itself as part of the living space and attempts to be a hub for the interests of over 150 dialog groups with its (heritage) living space management. Through increased networking, intensive dialog and mutual consideration, all residents, whether permanent or temporary in the Montafon, can benefit. In addition, Montafon Tourismus GmbH regularly surveys the quality of life meter among the population in order to evaluate and gradually improve the quality of living space in the valley. All key service providers and locals are included in this process, gradually reducing inequalities.

The aim is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

bewusstmontafon" is an association that brings regional producers together with the tourism industry. Wirtschaft Montafon (WIMO) aims to mutually strengthen businesses in the valley and retain regional purchasing power.
tourism businesses contribute to this goal by buying with common sense and, for example, being part of the AMA Genussregionssiegel (23 in total in the Montafon). Communication with guests is also particularly important here in order to get them excited about regional products and raise awareness of regionality.

Another example of initiatives in this area is the "ghörig feschta" environmental award for events used by Montafon Tourismus and Stand Montafon, which is about taking various behaviors into account at your own events and, for example, lending reusable tableware to external, local event organizers so that disposable tableware can be dispensed with.