Austria's Green Revolution: Leading The Way Forward

Austria has been described as the Green Heart of Europe and is considered a pioneer for the preservation and sustainability of the natural environment. The country has a strong national consensus around environmental protection, with Austrians' proximity to nature and traditional way of living contributing to this. In 2023, Austria generated 87% of its power from renewable sources, with a high share of renewables in its electricity mix – 71% in 2021. The country has set targets for fully renewable energy generation by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040.

Austria's renewable energy leadership

Austria has long been a pioneer for the preservation and sustainability of the natural environment. In 1872, Vienna established the world's first University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. In the present day, the country has been recognised as a renewable energy leader, with a high share of renewables in its electricity mix. In 2021, 71% of its energy came from renewable sources, according to Eurostat data.

Hydropower has been the backbone of Austria's renewable energy network, with dozens of large plants along the country's rivers. However, Austria is now building on this with other forms of green energy. In the last three years, the country has built more solar panels than in the previous 20 years, and wind and biomass are also being explored. Samson Sandrierser-Leon, a spokesperson from the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, has stated that:

> "By 2030, we are aiming to produce electricity only via renewables... But to reach our climate goals - we want to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 - we have to invest of course and build heavily renewable power plants."

Austria's commitment to renewable energy is also reflected in its tax system. The country has introduced a carbon levy of €30 per tonne, with the price set to increase annually until 2025. Additionally, a 'Klimabonus' is paid to all residents to offset the costs brought about by the CO2 tax, with the amount varying depending on location and access to public transport.

Austria's progress towards renewable energy is also evident in its power sector, which was ranked as the second greenest in Europe in 2023. That year, the country generated 87% of its power from renewable sources, following record years of solar panel expansion.

Austria's leadership in renewable energy extends beyond its borders, with the country's heat pump technology playing a significant role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions globally. Austrian companies, such as Ochsner Heat Pumps, have experienced significant growth in sales driven by demand for their environmentally friendly products.

Green public transport initiatives

Austria has implemented several green public transport initiatives as part of its commitment to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here are some key examples:

Klimaticket

In 2021, Austria introduced the Klimaticket, a yearly ticket accepted on all public transport across the country. This initiative aimed to encourage people to shift from cars to public transportation. The Klimaticket has been well-received, with 200,000 tickets sold, far exceeding the government's initial expectations. Additionally, discounts for students, service members, and public servants have been offered to make public transport more accessible.

Zero-Emission Mobility Projects

Austria has committed to investing $960 million in zero-emission mobility projects as part of its Recovery and Resilience Plan. This includes the procurement of around 600 zero-emission buses for public transit and related infrastructure. The Austrian government will provide public grants for the acquisition of battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and overhead wire electric buses. This initiative is driven by the country's adoption of the EU Clean Vehicle Directive, which mandates that 45% of publicly procured transit buses must be "clean buses" by 2021, with this figure increasing to 65% by the second quarter of 2026.

Green Events Austria

The Austrian Ministry for Climate Protection launched the "Green Events Austria" network in 2008 to promote the sustainable organisation of public events. This initiative aims to raise awareness and reduce waste by encouraging the use of reusable tableware and implementing waste separation and collection practices. Over 4,000 clean festivities have saved 17 million plastic cups from becoming waste.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses

Austria's largest public bus transit provider, Postbus, conducted a pilot project for hydrogen fuel cell buses in Graz in 2019. In cooperation with Postbus, the province of Carinthia launched "H2 Carinthia" in 2020 to promote zero-emission public bus transit using locally produced green hydrogen. Vienna's city utility, Wien Energie, built the city's first refuelling station for hydrogen buses and trucks in 2021.

Carbon Levy and Klimabonus

Austria has introduced a carbon tax, or carbon levy, of €30 per tonne, with plans to increase it annually until 2025. To offset the costs of this tax for residents, the government provides a 'Klimabonus', with the amount varying depending on location and access to public transport.

Sustainable agriculture

Austria has a long tradition of sustainable agriculture, with many farmers using organic and biodynamic farming practices. The Austrian government has been a strong supporter of sustainable agriculture and has implemented policies and initiatives to promote its development.

Austria's farm policy has successfully promoted "environmental-friendly" methods of farming. Instead of promoting productivity and growing yields per acreage, the Austrian farm policy introduced in the 1980s gave priority to the quality of food over quantity. This shift in focus was based on a decision made many years before Austria joined the European Union.

The pinnacle of environmentally-friendly methods of agriculture is organic farming, and Austria is considered to be Europe's leader in this field. As early as 1927, Austria registered the first organic farm in the world, based on the findings of the famous Austrian researcher and anthroposophist, Rudolf Steiner. Austria was also the first country in the world to establish national regulations for organic farming, ten years before the first regulations established by the European Union.

Today, over 16% of Austria's farmers and almost 20% of the farmland are managed under the high environmental standards of organic farming. More than 10% of Austrian supermarket turnover is derived from fresh organic products. Austria's agricultural philosophy considers organic produce to be more than just niche products. The objective is to make this most ecologically-compatible form of land use as widespread as possible to preserve the good quality of soil, water, and air for future generations.

Austria has one of the highest percentages of organic farming in the world, with approximately 24% of its agricultural land (over 700,000 hectares) being used for organic farming. In 2020, there were over 25,000 organic farms in Austria, which produced a wide variety of organic products, including meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, grains, and wine.

In addition to organic farming, many Austrian farmers also practice agroforestry, which involves integrating trees into agricultural landscapes to provide ecological and economic benefits. This approach helps to promote biodiversity, reduce soil erosion, and sequester carbon in trees and soil. Agroforestry is a common practice in Austria, with approximately 47,000 hectares of agricultural land being used for this purpose.

The Austrian government has implemented several policies to promote sustainable agriculture, including the Organic Farming Action Plan, which aims to increase the share of organic farming to 30% of agricultural land by 2030, and the Agroecology Strategy, which promotes sustainable agricultural practices that support biodiversity, climate resilience, and food sovereignty. The government also provides subsidies to farmers who adopt sustainable practices and offers education and training programs on sustainable agriculture practices.

Austria's commitment to sustainable agriculture has helped to promote ecological, social, and economic sustainability in the country's food system, and it serves as a model for other countries transitioning to more sustainable forms of agriculture.

Green tech innovation

Austria is a leader in green innovation, with a focus on renewable energy and the circular economy. The country has set ambitious targets for fully renewable energy generation by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040.

Austria's green tech sector is home to market-leading pioneers, covering areas such as waste management, recycling, industrial production, and the circular economy. The country's environmental technologies, energy efficiency, and alternative energy generation have a long tradition. For example, Austria has a high share of renewables in its electricity mix, with 74.7% of its electricity produced through hydropower.

The Green Tech Valley in southern Austria is a hub for green innovation, with over 300 active green tech pioneers and technology leaders. The cluster acts as a catalyst for green innovation and promotes the growth of leading lighthouse projects.

Austria's commitment to green innovation is further demonstrated by its ranking in various sustainability indices. In 2021, it ranked 3rd in the EU's Eco-Innovation Index and 4th worldwide in the 2024 Environmental Performance Index for sustainability, environmental protection, and ecosystem vitality.

• Hydrogen Research: Austria is leading the way in hydrogen research, with the world's largest pilot plant for hydrogen electrolysis located in Linz. This technology will soon enable CO2-free steel production. Additionally, companies like Infineon and Linde are constructing a plant for sustainable hydrogen to make chip production climate-neutral.
• Klimaticket: Introduced in 2021, the Klimaticket is a yearly ticket accepted on all public transport throughout Austria. It has encouraged people to shift from car usage to public transport, with 200,000 people purchasing the ticket so far.
• Carbon Tax and Klimabonus: Austria has implemented a carbon tax of €30 per tonne, with plans to increase it annually until 2025. To offset the costs of this tax for residents, the government also introduced a 'Klimabonus', which varies depending on location and access to public transport.
• Green Startup Center: Austria has established a Green Startup Center to support emerging green tech startups, offering optimal conditions, stability, and a high quality of life for businesses.

Waste management

Austria has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact, with a focus on renewable energy sources and public transport. As an EU member state, Austria is bound by the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

In 2020, the Austrian People's Party, led by Sebastian Kurz, formed a coalition government with the Green Party, a unique political partnership. This coalition set ambitious environmental targets, aiming for fully renewable energy generation by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040. To achieve these goals, Austria has introduced a carbon tax, currently at €30 per tonne, with plans to increase it annually until 2025. Additionally, they have implemented measures to make train travel more attractive, such as the Klimaticket, a yearly ticket valid on all public transport across the country.

However, Austria faces challenges in waste management, particularly regarding landfill sites. Many landfills in Austria are located in flood-prone lowland areas close to residential areas, posing risks to human health and the environment. About one-third of controlled landfill sites and 30% of uncontrolled landfills are highly endangered by floods. While some active landfills are protected by structural measures, most closed controlled sites are unprotected, and uncontrolled sites are assumed to be unprotected.

The potential effects of landfill flooding can be detrimental, as inundated landfills become water-saturated, enhancing the decomposition and transport of hazardous materials. This leads to a significant increase in the flow of pollutants, which could exceed Austrian Water Quality Standards. The subsequent water saturation of the landfill body can also result in mechanical stability losses and adverse health effects for nearby residents.

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