Austria
Austria’s rank is unchanged, at 32nd in the current CCPI. The country remains among the medium performers. Austria receives a medium in the GHG Emissions, Renewable Energy, and Climate Policy categories, but its performance in Energy Use rates as very low.
The country announced 2040 as its net-zero target year. The CCPI country experts welcome this target, but they note a binding climate law and action plan for implementing that goal are missing.
Phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies are not in sight
Progressive Austrian climate policies include affordable and nationwide public transportation tickets, more financing for the public railway system, energy transition and renewable energy policies, and CO2 pricing. However, there have been shortcomings in the form of a missing fossil fuel subsidy phase-out, no policies to phase-out oil and gas heating by 2040, and an insufficient energy efficiency law.
There is currently no fracking for gas in Austria, but there are no policies in place to ban fossil fuel extraction.
In international climate politics, the CCPI experts welcome Austria’s progressive position on gas in EU negotiations. The fight against nuclear and gas in EU taxonomy and the founding of a ‘renewables friendly’ group in the EU are also progressive positions. Austria’s position on the ban of combustion engine vehicles has weakened the EU decision and was criticised by the experts.
More renewable projects are needed
The experts demand expansion of renewable energy projects across all Austrian states with clear boundaries in place to conserve natural areas, laws to reduce high energy consumption, and an ambitious climate law for implementing national targets.
Key Outcomes
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CCPI experts
The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:
- Jasmin Duregger & Lisa Panhuber (Greenpeace Austria)
- Forum Wissenschaft & Umwelt
