Climate chaos at COP30: Vienna calls for a global change of course!

Climate chaos at COP30: Vienna calls for a global change of course!

Today, November 9, 2025, the signs for the COP (Conference of the Parties) are extremely unfavorable. According to recent reports, the ambitious goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius is seen as almost unattainable. Vienna has taken on a crucial role in this context, as Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky emphatically emphasizes that every action or inaction today is crucial for life tomorrow. He sees public discouragement as misplaced and instead points to Vienna's successes, such as its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 54 percent by 2030.

Czernohorszky calls for clear commitments from the COP to comprehensive climate protection and places particular emphasis on putting social considerations above economic priorities. In this context, he highlights the need for global climate targets and international cooperation to address the challenges of climate change. He also sees the EU's agreement on a 90 percent CO2 reduction by 2040 as a step in the right direction. Vienna is sticking to the ambitious goal of climate neutrality by 2040 and sees the new EU directive as an important step as it makes states accountable.

Vienna’s successes in climate protection

Over the last five years, Vienna has successfully implemented measures that have resulted in a 6 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions - a result that is twice the national average. Czernohorszky emphasizes that Vienna needs federal support, particularly in the form of a robust federal climate protection law, significant legal changes and broad funding support.

At the municipal level, the city has already created solid foundations for independence from gas, including a climate law, a heat plan and the “Get out of gas” strategy. These initiatives are essential for the future of the city and its contribution to the global climate debate.

Cultural context