Stocker: “Interpretations of Environment Minister Gewessler’s climate plan are reminiscent of ‘Leonore in Wonderland'”

“Environment Minister Gewessler’s interpretations of the climate plan are reminiscent of ‘Leonore in Wonderland’. In contrast to the withdrawn Gewessler climate plan from 2023, which was not coordinated with the People’s Party, the efforts of the People’s Party made it possible to combine common sense and climate protection in the National Energy and Climate Plan. When it comes to climate protection, we focus on openness to technology and progress, not bans. The fact is: The climate plan presented today does not mention any specific subsidies such as the diesel privilege or the commuter allowance. However, it is noted that a working group is analyzing climate-counterproductive subsidies. However, it is clear that the mere classification of a measure as counterproductive does not provide a sufficient statement as to whether a public measure should be maintained or abolished. There are also no sector targets, which ensures more flexibility. This climate plan reflects the signature of the People’s Party – we do not play climate protection and the economy off against each other, but rather combine them to create Austria as a competitive and climate-friendly business location at the same time,” says the General Secretary of the People’s Party, Christian Stocker, about the National Energy and Climate Plan presented today.

“As a people’s party, we support the climate plan, but Environment Minister Gewessler’s interpretations are reminiscent of ‘Leonore in Wonderland’. How the Environment Minister comes to the conclusion that the diesel privilege will be abolished is a mystery to me. As a people’s party, we will not let people down, especially in rural areas – the minister’s green ideological wishful thinking has no place in the climate plan,” continued Stocker, who concluded by emphasizing: “The people’s party with Chancellor Karl Nehammer is committed to climate protection with common sense. We have proven this once again with the climate plan presented today. In the future, we will not burden our business location with excessive climate policy regulation, but will instead combine climate protection with a strong business location.”