Climate tone canceled: Where is the big money going now?

Climate tone canceled: Where is the big money going now?

Österreich - On June 8, 2025, the Austrian Environment Minister Norbert Tettschnig presented significant changes in the climate area. As part of a new climate law and a social plan, it was decided to stop the climate monus from 2025. This was decided by the government parties FPÖ and ÖVP and follows the last payment of the climate monus in 2024, which was around 290 euros per person. The deletion of the climate monus expects savings of around 1.8 billion euros in environmental and climate budget.

The climate bonus served in the past as a financial relief for citizens and as a compensation for the additional costs caused by the CO₂ prices. This price is paid for by companies that produce or import fuels. By the end of March 2025, people in Austria can apply for the climate bonus, which has been paid out annually since 2022 and has been staggered regionally - depending on the place of residence and degree of urbanization. A national climate social plan is now to be developed to ensure the social cushioning of the CO₂ prize after the climate monus is

redistribution of the funds

The funds saved by the deletion of the climate monus are to be invested in other climate projects. Particularly noteworthy is the increase in the funds for the heating exchange as part of the "Rise out of oil and gas" program, which increases to around 1.23 billion euros in 2025. Compared to the previous year, this means an increase of 172 million euros. Funding for low -income households remain to help you switch to climate -friendly heating.

At the same time, the focus is aimed at further environmental funding and projects on the circular economy. Despite the decline in the environmental budget through the relocation of some energy tasks to other budget chapter emphasizes that a similar effect should be achieved with fewer means.

CO₂ prize and social aspects

The CO₂ prize is a central element of climate policy and records rising prices. The introduction of the new emission trade (EU ETS 2) is planned for 2027, which underlines urgency for a socially acceptable climate policy. Future income from the CO₂ prize is intended to flow into a climate premium in order to alleviate social hardship and at the same time create incentives to switch to non-fossil energies. These measures should not only support vulnerable households, but also strengthen the social acceptance of the CO₂ prize.

With the entry into force of the changed European emission trade directive (Ehrl), it is expected that CO₂ prices will increase to up to 130 euros by 2026. The Federal Government therefore has the challenge of communicating the effects of the new emission trade transparently and taking flanking measures to support households.

Overall, these developments show that Austria faces new challenges in the climatic and social field, while climate protection continues to be a central political priority. The government undertakes to continue to promote climate -friendly behaviors through clever redistribution and programs even without the climate bonus and to preserve social justice.