More protection for Viennese trees in times of climate change
Vienna (OTS) – Sufficient green and recreational areas are an important part of the quality of life for the population of a large city like Vienna. “Vienna is one of the greenest cities in the world – there are not only 500,000 trees here, but more than 1,000 parks and green spaces,” emphasizes Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky. “Green areas with trees have many functions: they have a positive influence on the microclimate, improve air quality, cool and their shade offers protection from extreme heat. That’s why we have set ourselves the goal of protecting, expanding and designing green space in the future so that the consequences of climate change are less noticeable. The Vienna Tree Protection Act also plays an important role!”
The protection of the tree population in Vienna is enshrined in the provisions of the Vienna Tree Protection Act, which has proven itself excellently over the last 50 years. “In order to protect trees even better and to be able to respond to current challenges such as climate change, we are now making changes. The goal is to optimally protect Vienna’s tree population,” says Jürgen Czernohorszky.
The draft amendment to the Vienna Tree Protection Act, which is now available, is scheduled to be passed in the Vienna State Parliament at the end of January.
“In addition to the continuous planting of new, additional trees, the protection and preservation of existing trees is of the highest priority. The new, stricter regulations now make it easier to ensure that trees are not cut down carelessly. Replacement plantings must be larger, compensatory levies and penalties have been increased and will be increased in the future. This means that the Vienna Tree Protection Act will be the most effective in all of Austria,” emphasizes NEOS Vienna environmental spokesperson Angelika Pipal-Leixner.
“With the new Vienna Tree Protection Act, we are setting standards that are unique in Austria for the preservation of more green living space, biodiversity and climate protection. “As a city, we are taking a pioneering role and taking big steps towards a climate-neutral Vienna in 2040,” adds Michael Kienesberger, Head of Environmental Protection for the City of Vienna.
In accordance with the Tree Protection Act, the Vienna City Gardens act as an assessing authority before the decision is issued. “Now, in addition to protecting urban trees, our aim is to better anchor quality assurance in the law,” emphasizes city garden director Rainer Weisgram. “The amendment also underlines the importance of the city tree in combating urban overheating and climate change!”
Protect trees more effectively and for longer
With the amendment, the city primarily wants to ensure “that more trees are protected and fewer are felled and that the replanted trees are of even higher quality – and thus have a greater impact on the climate,” says Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky.
Specifically, the new legal text contains a clarification of the term “fruit tree” with the aim of placing more tree species under protection – for example the black elderberry or the mulberry tree.
Furthermore, replacement trees should become “climate-effective” more quickly, for example by prescribing larger replacement trees (trunk circumference 16 to 18 cm) with larger crown volume or by allowing “XL trees” to be planted.
What is also new is the expansion of the options for replacement planting. Overall, this should lead to more selective unsealing and more replacement trees being planted.
The city wants to take even stricter action against illegal behavior – for example by allowing the prescription of restorative measures and by increasing administrative penalties as well as by blocking the statute of limitations for prosecution and criminal liability.
The period until a replacement planting is deemed to have been fulfilled will also be extended – from five to ten years: This means that the existence of replacement trees will be secured for longer.
More money for tree protection
The increase in the equalization levy should also make more money available for tree and climate protection: the levy, which has not been increased since 1998, will be increased from 1,090 euros to 5,000 euros and will also be valorized in the future.
If an approved tree removal is not carried out within two years of the decision becoming legally binding, the approval granted expires. This is intended to prevent felling permits from being “held in stock” for years.
“With this amendment to the Vienna Tree Protection Act, we are taking a big step towards adapting our city to the climate: every “more” amount of green helps to make the hotter summers more bearable and to further expand the recreational opportunities within Vienna,” says Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky is convincing.
Press photos: https://presse.wien.gv.at/bilder
Questions & Contact:
Pedram Seidi
Media spokesperson StR Jürgen Czernohorszky
Mobil: +43 676 8118 81084
Phone: +43 1 4000 81853
pedram. seidi@wien.gv.at
Roman DAVID-FREIHSL
Communication area
City of Vienna – environmental protection
+43 1 4000 73422
roman.david-freihsl@wien.gv.at