The focus: 140 awards for sustainable innovations!

The focus: 140 awards for sustainable innovations!

On April 1, 2025, a solemn award event from Oekobusiness Vienna took place in the Vienna Museum, in which 140 Viennese companies were honored for their sustainable measures last year. Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky emphasized the importance of the program, which has been under the patronage of the City of Vienna - Environmental Protection (MA22) since its foundation in 1998. This award not only represents recognition, but also shows that environmental protection and operational success are absolutely compatible. Representatives of the city of Vienna, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Labor in Vienna, the ÖGB, the Ministry of Climate Protection and the Climate and Energy Fund were also present and were impressed by the success of the participating companies.

Oekobusiness Vienna is now starting the eighth program period with a clear focus on circular economy and biodiversity. The aim of the program is to create a city without waste. Concepts to promote repair, reuse and recycling are developed. The importance of these measures is underpinned by the impressive figures: since 1998 operating costs of 180.9 million euros have been saved, the waste volume has been reduced by a total of 128,295 tons and saved 2.9 TWH energy - a lot that could supply more than 80 percent of Viennese households for a year.

New program and support offers

In the new program period, Oekobusiness Vienna will continue to support the optimization of their processes, supply chains, building equipment and energy supply. It is consciously taken care that the offers for companies of all sizes and industry are available, so that small and medium -sized companies (SMEs) can also benefit from these programs. Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, underlined that the connection between economy and ecology is essential to achieve sustainable economic success.

In addition, Oekobusiness Wien offers new further training for consultants to strengthen the competence in this area. Last year, 153 Viennese companies used the offers of the Chamber of Commerce, which were provided as part of the program. Renate Anderl, President of the Vienna Chamber of Labor, and Wolfgang Katzian, ÖGB President, emphasized the need for a social and ecological renovation of the economy and emphasized the relevance of Oekobusiness Vienna for all company sizes

circular economy as a strategic imperative

The circular economy principles that Oekobusiness Wien wants to focus on increasingly gain in importance. You replace the traditional take-make dispose model with the approach of reuse and efficient use of resources. Companies that integrate sustainable product design can not only realize ecological but also economic advantages. According to a survey of around 200 manufacturers in Germany, it is expected that new regulations, such as the EU Supply Chain Act, influence the company's sustainability goals.

The legal framework, as determined by the European Parliament in April, place new requirements for environmental and human rights standards in supply chains. Transparent communication and an efficient exchange of information between suppliers, manufacturers and consumers is of central importance in the digital economy. These tendencies underline the strategic need to actively promote sustainable economic approaches through programs such as Oekobusiness Vienna.

Oekobusiness Vienna, co-financed by the city of Vienna, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, the Vienna Chamber of Labor, the ÖGB, the climate and energy fund and the Federal Ministry of Climate Protection, remains an excellent example of how entrepreneurial efficiency and environmental protection can be successfully combined. Further information on participants and their measures are available on the website wien.gv.at and basic framework conditions are at Industry-of-things.de explained.