Austria Misses Climate Targets Significantly

In June, the "Second Austrian Assessment Report on Climate Change" (AAR2) was published. In this report, 200 scientists from 50 institutions concluded that Austria has warmed by 3.1 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era. This is twice the global average and 40 percent higher than the European average. Additionally, Austrian forests have transformed from a CO2 sink to a source of emissions.

Glacier Loss in Austria Irreversible

Glacier researcher Lilian Schuster from the University of Innsbruck reported that glacier loss in Austria is progressing rapidly. "In Austria, it is worse than in the rest of the Alps because the glaciers here are less thick than elsewhere. It's only a matter of when we will have to say goodbye to them." The website established for the International Year for the Preservation of Glaciers 2025 aims to highlight this alarming trend while simultaneously calling for ambitious emission reductions. There is still a lot of glacier volume that can be preserved worldwide. However, in Austria, the development is irreversible - with diverse impacts, from ecosystems to ski tourism. The impending glacier loss also means something for Austria's identity, added moderator and IIASA Program Director Keywan Riahi.

Climate Targets Missed: Political Regression

All these scientific findings, however, did not lead to any political rethinking, stated Katharina Rogenhofer from the Context Institute. "Austria is not doing enough - we are no different from most other countries." After more ambitious years, there is currently a political regression. Measures that have been decided are either already being abolished or have not yet been implemented. There is still no climate law with binding targets towards the aspired climate neutrality by 2040, and climate-damaging subsidies are still not being abolished, although this would be a win-win situation for both the budget and the climate. As current negative examples, Rogenhofer mentioned the unresolved transition from oil and gas heating, the issue of wind energy, where many federal states are blocking, or the announcement to still want to build the Lobau Tunnel.

New Narratives Needed

"Austria is a wealthy country and could become a showcase for successful transition scenarios," said Rogenhofer, who pointed out that new narratives need to be developed that highlight the social and economic benefits for people with appropriate climate measures and not just operate with the dangers arising from inaction. Laila Kriechbaum from Fridays for Future Austria argued similarly: "We need to recognize that more knowledge about the impending changes does not lead to more action against them. This is troubling us - and requires creativity from us."

"Vienna Lecture" on Monday

Keywan Riahi concurred - as all figures show that the costs of inaction are much higher than the costs of necessary measures. The "Overshoot Conference" in Laxenburg will conclude on Thursday. Riahi himself will be at a lectern again on Monday (October 6, 7:00 PM): In the ceremonial hall of the Vienna City Hall, he will give a "Vienna Lecture" on the topic "Climate Change in Austria. Challenges, Solutions, and Opportunities" and will subsequently discuss with Andreas Januskovecz, the head of the climate affairs department of the City of Vienna. The event will also be live-streamed.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.