Scientists for Future Austria
by Leonore Theuer (Politics and Law)
Austria is to become climate-neutral by 2040, but greenhouse gas emissions are still increasing. For more than 600 days there has been no climate protection law that could initiate a turnaround. The comparison with a sailing ship shows what else is missing.
Setting sail for the energy transition?
The Renewable Energy Expansion Act came into force in 2021 and a draft of the Renewable Heat Act is available to create the framework for switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Parts of the old Energy Efficiency Act expired at the end of 2020. A new energy efficiency law is being drafted, but here too it is uncertain when it will be enacted. Due to a lack of sufficient sails, our ship is therefore still additionally powered by a diesel engine.
No keel
In order not to sink in stormy times, such a sailing boat needs a keel that stabilizes and raises it when it gets lopsided – a fundamental and human right to climate protection in the constitution. Then new laws would have to be measured against climate protection, climate-damaging regulations and subsidies could be fought, as could government inaction.
The wheel is blocked - Why?
The previous climate protection law expired in 2020. Although it provided for a reduction in greenhouse gases, it was ineffective because it contained no consequences if the requirements were not met.
This should change with a new climate protection law to enable a change of course towards climate neutrality in 2040. In addition to substantive regulations (such as CO2 reduction paths according to economic sectors such as transport, industry and agriculture), legal consequences in the event of violations are indispensable, as are legal protection regulations, i.e. regulations for law enforcement: climate protection must be enforceable against the state. Immediate programs are also being discussed if the targets are not met, an increase in the CO2 tax and penalties from the federal and state governments.
When such a climate protection law will be enacted is currently not foreseeable. But the more time passes without climate protection measures being taken, the more drastic they have to be in order to curb global warming with all its devastating consequences. The boat has a leak through which water is constantly getting in and threatens to sink over time! Why are no legal frameworks created for repairs and course corrections? Why is the urgency denied by parts of politics and society?
According to media reports, the ÖVP, WKO and industrialists' association reject the anchoring of climate protection goals in the constitution, as well as an increase in the CO2 tax if climate goals are missed. A detailed inquiry by the Politics and Law section of the Scientists for Future Austria regarding the information obligation law on the new climate protection law should above all provide information about which regulations have been agreed so far and which are still disputed. But the climate protection ministry failed to provide this answer: The technical draft of the climate protection law is still before the assessment, the discussion and decision-making are still in progress. Discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Finance as the main contact. Efforts are being made to finalize it as soon as possible.
Conclusion
A change of course towards climate neutrality is not in sight. The ship in which we are all sitting is lurching in the wrong direction – without a keel and driven by diesel due to a lack of sufficient sails. The rudder is blocked and water enters through a leak. Only the small sail of the Renewable Energy Expansion Act is currently able to influence the course. However, key parts of the crew still see no need for action.
Cover photo: Renan Brun on Pixabay
Spotted: Martin Auer
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