Vienna is the first federal state on its own climate law - a milestone!

Vienna is the first federal state on its own climate law - a milestone!

Wien, Österreich - Vienna will be the first federal state of Austria to introduce its own climate law, which is to be decided in spring 2025. This was announced by Mayor Michael Ludwig, City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky (SPÖ) and Vice Mayor Christoph Return (NEOS) at a press conference. The aim is to put the law into force before the municipal council election on April 27th. Among other things, the upcoming climate law provides for a five-year update of the Viennese climate channel and climate check for laws and construction projects to ensure a fixed climate budget. According to Czernohorszky, the law should act as a guarantee of compliance with the climate goals over legislative periods, which will strengthen urban climate protection and at the same time give companies security, OE24.

binding rules for climate neutrality

The new law is intended to make Vienna to become climate -neutral by 2040. The focus is on climate -friendly planning and legal certainty for administration and companies. According to Czernohorszky, the city government has already developed a comprehensive climate timetable, which is now legally binding. One of the urgent reasons for the law is the extreme increase in temperatures in 2024, which has been the hottest year since the beginning of the weather records. "2024 was the hottest year and despite this alarm sign, Austria has not had a climate protection law for 1,350 days." so czernohorszky, as mentioned in a report by today.at.

For private households, the direct consequences of the law are low for the time being, since the creation of federal law regulations remains necessary for this. Instead, the Wiener Klimgersetz acts primarily as a commitment to the city and the Viennese companies. It is clear that this initiative represents the necessary legislative basis for serious and effective climate protection in the city in order to counteract the pressing challenges of the climate crisis and implement measures in a targeted manner, according to the city council.