The focus on the climate crisis: new ways for Austria's economy required!

The focus on the climate crisis: new ways for Austria's economy required!

The renowned environmental economist Sigrid Stagl has been appointed “scientist of the year”, which underlines both her groundbreaking work on the sustainable transformation of the economy and its influential voice in discourse on climate policy. Stagl, who was the first person worldwide in "ecological economy", emphasized the need to consider climate policy as an integral part of the economy. In a conversation with the APA, she said that the social and political reactions to the urgently demanded conversion of the economic system were still inadequate. In addition, she identified simple and inexpensive measures for climate protection, such as the introduction of CO2 taxation and the abolition of climate-damaging subsidies, which often remain unmentioned in the current political landscape, as significant steps to reduce emissions. This topic is also actively supported by the organization "Scientists for Future", in which Stagl is a committed member, as is emphasized on the "Scientists4future" platform.

climate policy in the focus of the election campaigns

In a media discussion on September 17, 2024, politicalologists Reinhard Steurer and Sigrid Stagl analyzed the party programs in the context of the upcoming elections. Stagl's knowledge about the urgency of climate policy measures was underpinned by Steurer's assessment that the FPÖ and the ÖVP are considered part of the problem. While the FPÖ denies the problem of climate change and put the ÖVP on technological solutions, the SPÖ, the Greens and the NEOS advocated a comprehensive climate protection policy. The exchange confirmed the need for a broad mix of measures, which also includes regulatory instruments. "Every choice is a climate election," emphasizes Stagl, since the time window is becoming increasingly smaller to limit global warming.

Especially in the light of the latest flood disasters, it becomes clear that the topic of climate in the election campaign must no longer be ignored. Media failure is attributed to the fact that climate issues have so far been excluded, but nature knocks on the door. Due to the current catastrophe, the electorate could probably be more interested in climate policy approaches. Experts like Steurer expect parties to seriously take up climate protection, possibly voters: losing or winning. These developments are not only important for the elections, but also for the future course of Austrian climate policy and avoiding further ecological crises, according to the experts.