New climate law: Totschnig is planning comprehensive reforms for the future!

New climate law: Totschnig is planning comprehensive reforms for the future!

At the end of June, Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) presented a draft for a new climate law that is intended to bring more clarity about Austria's long-term climate policy. Totschnig announced in July that the draft covers topics such as climate protection, climate change adaptation and circular economy. He sees this as a milestone for the country's climate policy, which has so far focused heavily on bans.

At the heart of the new approach is the goal of taking people's needs and concerns seriously and promoting cooperation. The new law aims to develop a concrete roadmap for reducing emissions in order to effectively achieve the climate goals.

Three pillars of the climate law

The climate law is built on three central pillars. First, climate protection is discussed, which includes a clear roadmap for reducing emissions. Secondly, it highlights climate change adaptation, an area to be strengthened through nimble investments in resilience, for example in flood protection. Thirdly, the law provides for measures to promote the circular economy, which focuses on recycling and resource efficiency in order to reduce material consumption and save CO2.

In addition, a steering group will be set up at a technical and political level to ensure cooperation between all relevant actors. These include parliamentary parties, states and municipalities as well as social partners and environmental protection organizations. A scientific climate advisory board should bring in further expertise and involve scientists from various disciplines.

Climate roadmap and monitoring

A crucial element of the new climate law is the climate roadmap, which defines specific responsibilities and sectoral target paths. This enables a clear allocation of responsibilities and shows which actor has to make what contribution to reducing emissions. The climate check that has already been approved will be integrated into the law, which also contributes to transparency.

The minister emphasizes that monitoring and effectiveness control are essential features of the new approach. Progress should be measured and evaluated regularly in order to check the effectiveness of the measures and make adjustments if necessary. The aim of these comprehensive measures is to put Austria on the right course to achieve its climate goals.

For Totschnig, this law is not only a legal instrument, but also a necessary step to promote active and responsible cooperation in climate policy. This creates a spirit of optimism in the climate debate, which both addresses the challenges of climate change and strengthens social dialogue. This ushers in a new era of climate policy in Austria, which also wants to take international standards into account.