Vienna Climate Act: A toothless tiger for climate protection?

Vienna Climate Act: A toothless tiger for climate protection?

On February 11, 2025, there is violent criticism of the new Climate Protection Act, which was decided today in the Vienna City Senate. According to the environmental organization virus, the law is toothless and only happens to appear. Spokesman Wolfgang Rehm accused the city government of not involving important areas such as traffic and construction, and described the measures as quarterly. "It is better not to have a climate protection law at all than just one to appear," said Rehm. He called for an immediate update of the climate channel from 2022 in order to initiate really effective changes and to meet the climate goals until 2040, as also confirmed the Report from wien.gv.at.

The background is alarming: 2024 was the hottest year since the beginning of weather records in Vienna, with extreme weather events such as heavy rain and drought. The city has set itself the goal of becoming climate -neutral by 2040, but the implementation remains questionable. The Vienna Climate Marriage, which is intended to form a binding framework as part of the new climate law, provides for several measures to achieve this goal. Public participation, legal protection and the inclusion of science and civil society are also in focus. However, critics emphasize that without concrete measures and the integration of decisive sectors, the law is only considered an alibi event and the urgently needed progress is hindered.

The city government shows in the direction of climate protection, but the implementation remains uncertain if it is still based on harmful infrastructures such as the lobar tunnel. Although the framework of the climate law offers many positive approaches, such as the clear anchoring of the climate goals, skeptics are skeptical whether these intentions can also be implemented in deeds. The pressure on the city of Vienna is increasing to take the necessary steps before the time for effective measures takes place.