Totschnig Withholds Promised Money for Climate Protection

"Every euro not spent on climate protection today can cost us up to ten times more tomorrow," warns Stefan Fritz from Hilfswerk International. The funds would be available in the 2025 budget, but it seems they do not want to activate them, he criticizes Minister Totschnig (ÖVP). However, the Ministry of the Environment stated that Austria makes a significant contribution to international climate financing. A total of 405 million euros were provided in 2024, and 555 million euros in 2023. However, the "times of full coffers are over": Due to necessary budget consolidation, no further commitments are currently planned.

Development Aid Workers: Federal Government Should Fulfill Climate Protection Commitments

"Every international climate project financed from the funds of the climate department directly contributes to improving the living situation of the most affected people in the context of climate change," explained Martin Krenn from the Coordination Office of the Austrian Bishops' Conference for International Development and Mission (KOO): "Instead of withholding the already budgeted funds, the federal government should meet its international obligations."

Last year (2024), 15 million euros were announced, and the same amount was announced by the Ministry of Climate Protection for the current year 2025, said Lukas Wank from the Working Group Global Responsibility: "But no call for proposals has been made so far." Written inquiries about the whereabouts of the funds have remained unanswered to this day.

According to the Paris Climate Agreement, Austria is obliged to support countries in the Global South in achieving climate goals, said Wank. This is also anchored in the current government program. According to his knowledge, the call for climate projects has been ready since the summer and only needs to be signed. The fact that this is not happening, in his view, is "a decision problem and not a money problem." Because no new funds need to be filled for this, only existing ones need to be opened and used.

Successful Climate Protection Projects with Austrian Expertise Worldwide

The experts reported on successful Austrian projects in Africa, Asia, and South America, which could hardly be continued without the disbursement of funds. For example, in Mozambique, large-scale climate-relevant mangrove forests have been protected or reforested, explained Stefan Fritz. This was achieved by providing the local people with various alternative sources of income instead of exploiting the mangrove forests.

In Pakistan, farmers were able to experiment with old, pest- and drought-resistant grain varieties, set up drip irrigation, and additionally engage in beekeeping with Austrian help. "This made their yields more secure and higher," said Alexander Bodmann from Caritas Austria. The project was funded by the Ministry of Climate Protection, but expansion would be thwarted by the non-disbursement of funds, he explained.

Bringing together farmers from Argentina and Austria has also led to positive changes in both countries, reported Margareta Moser from Welthaus Graz of the Diocese of Graz-Seckau: "A large Austrian pig farmer then decided to reduce soy consumption on his farm and find alternatives," she said: "In Argentina, many farms are now relying on agroforestry methods (where trees and agricultural crops grow on the same land, ed.), which show that animals can be kept and protein produced to feed people without having to clear forests." The press conference was organized by the Working Group Global Responsibility.

(APA/Red)

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