Excitement Over Draft for Climate Protection Act

The draft of the "Climate Act" from June 27, significantly shortened compared to previous plans, is no longer referred to as the "Climate Protection Act" in the coalition agreement. It is only half as long as the draft under the turquoise-green coalition, which failed due to resistance from the ÖVP economic circles. Above all, the mandatory emission reduction paths, the involvement of the federal states, and automatic tax increases like the mineral oil tax (MöSt) in case of not achieving climate goals, caused ÖVP resistance.

Draft for Climate Protection Act Without Legally Binding Content

In the new draft from the now ÖVP-originating minister, key points from back then have been deleted without replacement, reported the "Standard": such as rules for international climate financing, legal protection against too lax climate policy, or institutions like the "Citizens' Climate Council". The plan to prevent the potentially billion-euro purchase of certificates from abroad due to failing EU climate targets by all means is said to have been abandoned. Instead, a new steering group is supposed to prepare exactly this purchase. According to the newspaper, only a climate roadmap is planned, which the government is supposed to decide on by the end of October 2026 according to the draft. There is no indication that the contents would be legally binding. Environmentalists and scientists have been pushing for exactly this, namely binding sector targets from transport to buildings to agriculture, for years.

Totschnig: "Coalition Negotiating" on Climate Protection Act

"We are currently in the phase of internal government coordination," said the minister on Monday on the sidelines of a press conference in Innsbruck regarding the status quo. Now it is time to negotiate. However, the Climate Protection Act should still "go through parliament" this year. "That means: Work is being done at full speed here," Totschnig affirmed.

Gewessler Fears Massive Damage from Climate Protection Act

Gewessler, now federal spokesperson and club chairwoman of the Greens after leaving the government, expressed dismay in a statement: "If this happens, ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS will cause massive damage. To the climate, but also to Austria as a location. This will result in job losses and a loss of competitiveness." Already in the past legislative period, it was made clear that such a law without binding targets and without sanctions is not acceptable for the Greens. Gewessler saw her fears regarding the government's climate policy confirmed: "Without the Greens, climate protection falls by the wayside - the past months have clearly shown that. In the end, our children and grandchildren will have to pay the price for this."

Criticism of Climate Protection Act Also from Climate Institute "Kontext", "Fridays For Future" and Greenpeace

"The draft of the Climate Act lacks the necessary clarity and binding nature. Not only is the central goal of climate neutrality by 2040 missing, but also annual sector targets, an immediate action program, binding timelines, and legal protection seem to be absent from the draft," said Kontext board member, Katharina Rogenhofer. In this form, the Climate Act is ineffective. "What is crucial, however, is what the law will contain when it goes into review after coordination between the coalition partners."

The activists of "Fridays For Future" saw a Climate Act without climate protection on Monday. "As if it weren't bad enough that a legally necessary Climate Protection Act has been missing in Austria for four years, this draft hits even harder. The draft is a half-baked Climate Act without binding nature, legal protection, and guarantee for the future of coming generations," it said in a release. The crash to the ground of reality is all the harder after big announcements under Climate Minister Totschnig. "A law without obligations is a declaration of refusal to work, because the standards by which an effective Climate Act can be measured have long been scientifically established," said Laila Kriechbaum, spokesperson for "Fridays For Future". The group announced plans to protest at Totschnig's planned appearance on Wednesday at the Forum Alpbach.

For Greenpeace, the draft is unusable and the NGO identified an urgent need for improvement. The governing parties must fundamentally revise the document, so the appeal. Almost all decisions, such as clear reduction and sector targets, are not anchored in the law and are to be set at a later date in a "climate roadmap". But this plan is also supposed to be legally non-binding. "With his draft, Climate Minister Norbert Totschnig delivers only an empty shell - without a target path, without an exit from fossil fuels, without a clear commitment to climate neutrality by 2040. Instead, the law provides for the trade of highly dangerous climate certificates, which is completely out of place," said Jasmin Duregger, climate and energy expert at Greenpeace Austria.

Federal Youth Representation Says Measures in Climate Protection Act Are Insufficient

From the perspective of the Federal Youth Representation (BJV), the measures in the draft of the Climate Act are also insufficient to effectively combat the climate crisis. Particularly the lack of commitment to climate neutrality by 2040 is viewed critically by BJV Chairwoman Anna Schwabegger: "A new Climate Act without a clear goal is the wrong signal to young people, who already feel that their concerns regarding climate protection are not being taken seriously. The new law must show that politics is ready to protect our livelihood - and that of future generations."

The BJV calls on the government to establish effective measures. "Children and young people have the right to grow up in a healthy environment and without environmental hazards. Everything cannot continue as before. Without consequences for non-compliance with emission targets, the law is just a toothless paper. Urgent improvements are needed here," said BJV Chairwoman Lejla Visnjic. Specifically, the BJV demands binding emission targets for the federal government, states, municipalities, and all sectors. These must be reviewed by independent control through strong institutions - and sanctions are also necessary.

(APA/Red)

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