Gewessler satisfied

CO₂ emissions down by 5.3 percent in the previous year

Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) believes Austria is "right on track for climate neutrality".(Bild: APA/Tobias Steinmaurer)

According to preliminary figures from the Federal Environment Agency, 5.3 percent fewer greenhouse gases were emitted in Austria in 2023 than in the previous year. "This significant decrease means that we are right on track for climate neutrality in 2040," said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) on Thursday. Detailed data and a precise allocation to the sectors responsible will be provided in the summer.

According to the calculations, emissions in Germany in 2023 amounted to 69 million tons, reported Günther Lichtblau from the Federal Environment Agency. This means that emissions have fallen by 3.9 million tons of CO₂ equivalents compared to 2022. "If this forecast is confirmed, this will be the lowest figure since records began in 1990," he said.

Calculations not yet final
Back then, the figure was 79.1 million tons, and emissions never fell below the 70 million mark until 2022 (72.8 million tons). Although the preliminary calculations are still subject to a certain degree of uncertainty, Lichtblau described the range of fluctuation as "infinite". He estimated it at a maximum of one percent. Above all, there is still a lack of reliable energy statistics for a final assessment.

Günther Lichtblau from the Federal Environment Agency(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

CO₂ equivalents are a unit of measurement for calculating the impact of different greenhouse gases on the climate. The effect of harmful emissions, i.e. the emission of such gases, is compared with the effect of carbon dioxide. CO₂, the chemical formula for the gas carbon dioxide, is most frequently used to assess the warming influence on the global climate system. Since CO₂ is released when fossil fuels such as gas, oil or combustibles are burned, its concentration in the atmosphere is constantly increasing - and with it the greenhouse effect.

Natural gas reduction made the difference
According to the expert, the reduction in natural gas consumption in energy production by around 33 percent played a large part in the reduction. This resulted in 1.3 million tons less emissions. A five percent drop in production in the iron and steel industry also contributed significantly and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by half a million tons. The provisional figure for transport is minus 0.6 million tons and minus 1.2 million tons for buildings. Climate change itself also contributed to the reduction in emissions, with a good three percent fewer heating days in winter.

"As pleasing as this trend is, it is still necessary to take many more measures to achieve climate neutrality," says Lichtblau. "This positive preliminary result should be an incentive for a courageous climate protection policy," said Gewessler.

Greenpeace continues to call for climate protection law
The environmental protection organization Greenpeace commented in a statement that it was "pleasing that climate protection measures are taking effect and that greenhouse gases in Austria are on the decline". However, it criticized the fact that the Climate Protection Act, a central promise to the population in the government program, is still missing. Gewessler declared that she would continue to campaign for this.