Together for a sustainable Ål
Sustainability work in Ål is a collaboration between Ål municipality and Visit Ål / Ål Utvikling, in close dialogue with businesses, volunteers and residents. Through common goals, action and commitment, we work to ensure that Ål remains a genuine and vibrant mountain village, where nature and local communities are closely linked, just as before.
In 2022, Ål, along with Gol, Hemsedal and Nesbyen, was certified as a Sustainable Destination according to Innovation Norway's standard. This does not mean that we are finished, but that we are committed to improving year by year. Every three years, our work is reassessed and we must document progress in the areas of nature, the environment, culture, social values and local value creation.
For us, being a sustainable destination is about taking care of our nature and culture, strengthening social values and ensuring a profitable basis for the village. It's not enough just to have great scenery and fresh air, we must also create jobs, co-operation and local value creation.
Together for a sustainable Ål
Work on sustainability began in 2020, and in 2022 Ål was certified as a Sustainable Destination. The process is a collaboration between Ål municipality, Ål Utvikling / Visit Ål, businesses, volunteers and residents. Through common goals, action and commitment, we are working to ensure that Ål remains a genuine and vibrant mountain village. This requires us to hold on to our values and continue to build and develop sustainable solutions in the areas of the environment, social conditions and the economy.
Our goal is not to finish, but to get a little better every year. We want to be a place where people thrive, businesses grow and nature can breathe.
We take care of nature & culture
Ål is a vibrant mountain village with long traditions in agriculture, crafts and culture.
We produce genuine goods such as food, art and experiences rooted in nature and our history. We take care of the huts, trails and mountains, not just for our guests, but because they are part of our everyday lives.
We work to make it easy for both residents and visitors to experience nature without leaving a trace. Our focus on trail cycling, hiking and mountain hut operations contributes to year-round activity and experiences that create ripple effects locally.
We will develop, but always on nature's terms
Environmental certification in Ål
Visit Ål / Ål Utvikling is Eco-Lighthouse certified, and we are working to ensure that more and more local businesses become certified. Environmental certification is about concrete measures in everyday life. It means reducing waste, using energy more efficiently, choosing local suppliers and taking care of both people and nature.
We want to highlight companies that take sustainability seriously and inspire others to do the same. Here you will find a complete list of our member companies that are environmentally certified and heading in a green direction:
- Company 1
- Company 2
- Company 3
Do you want to certify your company? Contact us (dl@alutvikling.no / +47 32 08 10 60) and we'll help you find the right course and tutor.
Sustainability in practice
In Ål, sustainability is about action, co-operation and conscious choices that make a difference over time.
We work together with the municipality, the business community and the voluntary sector to take care of working castles and traditional culture, keep outdoor areas clean and cosy, and make it possible for both residents and guests to experience nature without leaving a trace.
Sustainability in practice is about taking care of the village, nature and the community together.
Social sustainability - an Ål for all
Sustainability is not just about the environment. It's also about people. Ål should be a good place to live, work and visit. We emphasise well-being, security and community, and that value creation in the tourism industry benefits the local community.
Through the Strategic Business Plan (2025-2028), we are focusing on a vibrant city centre, new meeting places and local trade.
We work for an Ål where people thrive, feel included and see opportunities to build their future here.
Eels for the future
We have clear goals for the years ahead: we will continue to develop Ål as a place where nature, culture and people can live in balance.
We want to see more environmentally certified companies, stronger local co-operation and great experiences that build pride and community.
Ål will be developed according to sustainable principles, not in order to be the best at everything, but to take care of what makes us unique: a real village, with real people, standing together for the future.
A real, vibrant destination
Ål should be a genuine, vibrant mountain village. A destination for those seeking peace, quiet and nature, and for those who want to feel the pulse of the mountains. We want to be a place for families who want their children to become good at cycling and skiing, and for those who want to experience something real and down-to-earth.
When you come to Ål, you don't come to a backdrop, you come to a living local community.
