Funding for climate protection: create jobs and lower CO2 - act now!

Funding for climate protection: create jobs and lower CO2 - act now!

Dolomitenstadt, Österreich - On April 6, 2025, a comprehensive reform process for climate and energy funding in Austria was announced. The aim of this realignment is to increase the efficiency of the funding, which has become essential in view of a tense budget situation. The climate and energy funds had a volume of 660 million euros in the previous year, while the annual subsidies according to the Renewable Expansion Act (EAG) are a billion euros.

In order to optimize the funding landscape, an independent institute is commissioned to analyze existing evaluations. The focus of the study focuses on: How do the measures contribute to the achievement of the EU law climate goals? To what extent can CO2 emissions be saved and changes in behavior? What value creation is generated and how many jobs are created? And finally, how do funding support the reduction in energy port dependency and the security of supply?

important basic principles and goals

The desired reform aims to create a simpler, more efficient and more transparent funding landscape. The basic principles of integrated climate and energy policy are in particular the affordability and planning security for households and companies as well as ensuring security of supply in times of global uncertainties. In addition, ecological effectiveness for a climate -neutral future is emphasized.

The funding structure is currently being handled over several places. Here there is a clear desire for less complexity, more effect and clear responsibilities. The facts on the evaluations are to be presented by summer. Minister Totchnig has also assured that all funding commitments granted by the end of 2024 will be paid out.

EU policy and climate goals

The EU is working on developing clean energy sources as alternatives to fossil fuels in order to lower emissions. Over 20 percent of the energy consumed in the EU currently comes from renewable sources. In December 2022, the MPs called for faster permits for renewable energies such as solar collectors and wind turbines. In addition, new funding for hydrogen and offshore-based energy sources are created.

A central goal in European climate protection policy is to weaken the effects of climate change and to reduce environmental and climate-damaging activities. The EU has legally obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to net zero and will aim to reduce by 55 percent by 2030. The Measures of the Repower EU package also support the independence of Russian fossil fuels.

Thanks to this integrative strategy and the planned reforms at the national level, the basis for a sustainable and climate -efficient future is created that entails both economic and ecological advantages.

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