On the occasion of World Soil Day on December 5th, the environmental protection organization WWF is calling on government negotiators from the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS to anchor a strong soil protection package in the future coalition pact. A binding upper limit for land consumption, reforms in the tax system and a nature conservation offensive are particularly important. “In Austria, the equivalent of more than 80 square meters of valuable soil is lost every minute. Anyone who ignores or glosses over this problem is simply acting negligently. Because the follow-up costs for society are enormously high,” warns WWF soil protection spokesman Simon Pories: “The future federal government should therefore present a soil protection contract that curbs excessive land consumption.” Over the past ten years there have been loud noises WWF-Bodenreport On average, 12.1 hectares were consumed per day, almost five times more than the previously announced maximum limit of 2.5 hectares. Since politicians promised this “sustainability goal” in 2002, it has consistently been missed – by a total area of more than 100,000 hectares so far. This corresponds to the area of all nine state capitals.
Active soil protection is increasingly becoming a question of the country’s long-term security: “The wasteful use of fertile soil creates a double risk: on the one hand for our independent food supply, on the other hand for long-term crisis security,” says Simon Pories from the WWF. Sealed surfaces also increase the consequences of extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe with the climate crisis. “Therefore, both renaturation and preventative nature conservation must be increased – well planned and adequately financed,” says Pories.
In addition to binding goals, the WWF is demanding from government negotiators a reduction plan for environmentally harmful subsidies, reforms in financial equalization and the halting of new motorway and expressway projects because Austria already has an extremely dense road network. “Politicians should finally listen to science here, because new roads only lead to more traffic and transit,” warns Simon Pories from WWF. In addition, the potential for renovations and the use of vacant properties would have to be increased more, while access to the ‘greenfield’ would be ended. The WWF also recommends upgrading the Austrian Spatial Planning Conference (ÖROK).
On the occasion of the government negotiations between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS, the WWF has created an eleven-point to-do list for soil protection, which is available online here is available.
Imagery on the subject of land consumption can be found here for download.
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