Climate protection in Vienna: Citizens want to help shape and real measures!

Climate protection in Vienna: Citizens want to help shape and real measures!

On June 24, 2025, municipal councilor Elisabeth Olishar commented on the debate about the 2024 financial statements of the “Climate, Environment, Democracy and Personnel” business. According to OTS there is an agreement on a meta level in the area of ​​climate and environmental protection, however, the opinions are Practical implementation and the details controversial. The need for a higher greening in the city is generally approved, but the complex implementation remains a challenge. One proposal was to create green spaces in places where there are currently barriers or bollards.

Olischar's criticism also aimed at the new government programs, which in their opinion often only present only melodious headings without taking concrete measures. The demand for a clear energy transition and a stronger integration of private individuals is also a central point. City agriculture suffers from various framework conditions, which negatively affects both the quality of life and the local supply in Vienna.

Citizen participation and democracy

City councilor Sabine Keri critically commented on citizen participation in the latest government program. Many citizens are dissatisfied with the existing formats for urban development, which suggests evaluation and possible adjustments to the formats for a real participation. Keri referred to examples such as the redesign of Praterstrasse and planning errors in bus line 77a, which document defects in citizen participation.

The demand for a strengthening of direct democracy in Vienna is according to OTS to give the citizens a serious voice in the development of their city. These votes demand a serious examination of the concerns of the citizens at eye level.

role of the municipalities in climate protection

In addition, the role of the municipalities plays a crucial importance when achieving national climate protection goals. The Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics explains that municipalities and counties should act as role models for citizens and local companies. In order to meet these challenges, the institute offers support in various areas, including the creation of municipal energy and climate protection concepts and the assessment of the climate protection activities on site. This is particularly important to avoid rebound or once effects and to establish sustainable measures.

The support is comprehensive and includes feasibility studies on CO2 reduction potential in buildings, the development of strategies and concrete measures as well as the creation of energy balance. This ensures that the various aspects of climate protection policy effectively work together and aim for concrete changes. Fraunhofer also analyzes potential savings and efficiency increases.

guidelines and support for municipalities

Another important contribution comes from the German Institute for Urban Studies, which, with its updated edition of the practice guidelines "Climate Protection in Municipalities", offers the cities and municipalities of valuable help. Around 11,000 German cities have already developed different approaches to climate protection and this platform aims to implement municipal climate protection measures efficiently.

The guide is based on extensive data and practical recommendations that are intended to inspire municipalities and climate protection staff. In addition, the mobile initiative is optimized and offers access via a user -friendly website. These digital resources are designed in such a way that they provide both beginners and advanced valuable information in order to effectively implement climate protection measures on site. A broad knowledge of common instruments is conveyed.

Overall, the focus on sustainability and citizen participation is central topics that play an ever increasing role in the debate about climate and environmental protection in Vienna and in German municipalities. The critical voices of the municipal councils and the supporting structures of the institutes show that cooperation is necessary to achieve the climate goals.

For further information and resources, the comprehensive materials are available on the homepage of the German Institute for Urban Studies