At the transition between two government periods, a short window of time often opens in which the experiences of the past few years can serve as a compass for future actions. The participants in the eighth Climate Dialogue in Vienna on Friday used this time window to formulate their ideas for their work in the coming years.
The initial situation is challenging, but there is also good news, emphasized Birgit Bednar-Friedl, economist at the University of Graz, in her opening statement: “Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen for three years in a row for the first time. This also has to do with the war in Ukraine, but not only. Measures such as heating replacement, building renovations or climate tickets have an impact. Now it’s important to use this momentum.”
The participants in the Climate Dialogue were asked to formulate answers to the questions: “What future do we want to arrive in?” and: “What will be important in the coming years” based on five key themes that have been addressed in the last seven Climate Dialogues to move, change and implement in order to arrive in this future?”. These recommendations were symbolically packed in a suitcase and handed over to representatives of the Austrian federal administration.
The most important pieces of luggage at a glance:
Key theme: climate justice
- Climate education from kindergarten to adult education. Multilingual and diverse.
- True cost of resources
- more women in powerful positions
Key theme: energy transition
- Combat energy poverty
- legal framework conditions (e.g. acceleration of approval procedures)
- From NIMBY to PIMBY: “Please, in my backyard” develop energy solutions together with the population
Central theme: mobility
- rethink tax regulations (e.g. kerosene tax, diesel privilege, commuter allowance)
- Strengthen active mobility through incentives and expansion of infrastructure
- Implement speed reduction on roads
Main theme of work & industry
- Promote circular economy thinking in industry
- rethink industry; Training and further education in companies
- Cost truth for CO₂ prices
- Make vacancies available
The main theme is participation and participation
- Broad democratization: participation requires resources
- Raising awareness (art & culture, combating fake news on social media at European level)
Thomas Müller, chairman of the Austrian Climate Council of Citizens Association, gave an insight into the ongoing civil society commitment and recommended similar commitment to future leaders: “Despite major obstacles such as the pandemic and war in Ukraine, in recent years there has been… A lot has been initiated in the area of nature and environmental protection. We call on the future federal government to continue and expand this.”
The following were represented at the eighth Climate Dialogue:
Citizens’ Climate Council Association, Federal Youth Representative Council, South Tyrol Climate Council, Climate Youth Council, Marianne Penker (Sustainable Economic Development, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna), Sebastian Seebauer (Joanneum Research Graz), Artists For Future, Seniors for Future, Peregrina, Dusts Institute, Context Institute, Climate Biennale Vienna, Öko Campus Vienna, Dunjiva Collective, Education Directorate Vienna, EU Youth Cinema and much more
About the Austrian Climate Dialogue
The Climate Dialogue wants to encourage people to join forces and enter into unusual alliances in order to achieve climate goals together. The Austrian Climate Dialogue is part of the implementation of the EU Governance Regulation, which stipulates that each member state must set up a dialogue on climate and energy policy issues at several levels. The eighth Climate Dialogue was the last event in this context.