Austria is threatened with the climate target bankruptcy: penalties up to 5.9 billion euros!

Austria is threatened with the climate target bankruptcy: penalties up to 5.9 billion euros!

Austria faces the challenge of reaching its EU climate center for 2030, since the country has so far been left behind the specified requirements. Current reports show that Austria may be confronted with high financial punishments if the goal should not be met. Experts estimate the possible costs at 370 million to 5.9 billion euros, which significantly increases the financial pressure on the country. According to the analysis of the municipal loan Public Consulting, which was commissioned by the Ministry of Finance, a violation procedure could threaten if the requirements are not complied with. The report also shows that Austria will not be among the few countries in the most pessimistic scenarios that can achieve the climate target, which further complicates the situation.

With the aim of minimizing negative effects, Austria could theoretically avoid fines by buying compensation certificates from countries that have overfilled their climate goals. However, the question arises whether this is actually feasible, since the offer of these certificates remains behind the demand. The figures currently show that only four EU countries in the pessimistic scenario could adhere to the requirements, while Austria is also excluded in the optimistic scenario.

financial bottlenecks and cuts

The situation is additionally tightened by significant budget cuts in the area of climate protection. Austria has already started to reduce its expenses, which affects the renovation and promoting projects in particular. The funding for the purchase of electric cars is set and the funds of the climate and energy fund are halved. These cuts have far -reaching consequences, since the available scope for future investments are becoming significantly narrower.

Experts warn that a delay in decarbonization could lead to billions of bills. In a report, it was also pointed out that Austria invests only 20 % of the EU reorporal funds in climate-friendly projects. The country has not reached a single climate target since 1990, and the current measures do not seem to be able to change the trend.

failures and challenges

A report by the Court of Auditors has shown critical defects in Austria's climate protection strategy. It is emphasized that the CO2 certificates could cost the federal government up to 9.2 billion euros if the climate policy is not quickly accelerated. This significant sum is significant because the annual economic damage due to the climate crisis is already 1 billion euros and could increase to 4 to 8 billion by 2050.

The traffic is particularly problematic, which, according to the Court of Auditors, exacerbates a large part of the emissions. The truck transport industry alone accounts for 40 % of traffic emissions and has not been substantially reduced in the past 20 years. Proposals such as an eco bonus for commuters and a comprehensive truck toll are in the debate to optimize the climate balance.

Finally, the question arises whether Austria takes the necessary measures in good time in order to achieve the announced climate goals. With punishments that threaten and partly blocked political agenda, the future of the country's climate protection strategy remains uncertain. It remains to be seen whether the planned and necessary steps can be implemented in the specified period in order not only to prevent financial burdens, but also to effectively advance climate protection.

For further details on the legal and financial aspects, Exxpress.at to the current location. Also Kontrast.at gives a comprehensive overview of the climate protection strategy and the sometimes missed measures in the context of the current situation.