Fridays For Future: Government endangers Austria's climate future!

Fridays For Future: Government endangers Austria's climate future!

On October 12, 2025, activist Lea Moser from Fridays For Future Linz sharply criticized the federal government for its declining climate policy. Moser calls for a binding climate law for Austria that ensures climate neutrality by 2040. In your opinion, Climate Minister Norbert Totschnig's previous promises are just empty words. In particular, the planned construction of the Lobau Tunnel is viewed by the climate movement as a dangerous step backwards that contradicts scientific findings and social responsibility. According to Moser, these decisions put young people's livelihoods at risk.

Concerns about climate protection are being expressed ever louder by the Fridays For Future movement. Laila Kriechbaum, another speaker, says they will continue to support protests as long as the government does not take necessary measures to protect the young generation. A binding climate law, which has been on hold for years, could represent a first step in the right direction. Environmental organizations and scientists are also calling for binding sector targets, clear responsibilities and sanctions for non-compliance.

Criticism of going backwards in climate protection

On October 3, 2025, a demonstration took place in front of the parliament in Vienna, organized by Fridays For Future and other organizations such as the Catholic Action Austria. This campaign aimed to point out the necessary responsibility in climate policy and to criticize the current setbacks. According to reports from the German Meteorological Society, there is a risk of global warming of up to three degrees by 2050 without appropriate measures.

Critical voices are calling for these warning signs to be heeded, while at the same time projects such as the Lobau motorway and the construction of the Lobau tunnel are being promised. Moser emphasizes that investments in such large-scale projects represent a rejection of the future and endanger the climate justice that is already being sought. Transport Minister Hanke has just announced the continued construction of the Lobau Tunnel, despite the negative impact on emissions and transit traffic resulting from such infrastructure measures.

Urgency and demands

The protesters see the need to mobilize and demand active investments in climate protection instead of large-scale fossil fuel projects. According to Rafael Haigermoser from the Catholic Youth Austria, public money must be invested in future-oriented and sustainable development. The planned package of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions stipulates that Austria should reduce emissions by 48 percent by 2030 compared to 2005, which is considered unrealistic given the current direction of development.

In addition, attention is drawn to the significant penalties that Austria faces if the climate targets are not met by 2030. According to previous forecasts, almost six billion euros could be due. Statements by Laila Kriechbaum illustrate the urgency: “Protests are necessary to get the government to act.” The climate movement wants to continue to generate pressure to take the necessary steps to save the climate. The latest developments highlight the previous commitment to climate neutrality by 2040 in the government agreement and the ongoing challenges to achieving these goals.