Global 2000 warns of a massive drop in the promotion of heating system replacements. After the discontinuation of federal funding, only state funding could be utilized. Thousands of jobs, the phase-out of oil and gas, and the achievement of climate goals are acutely at risk. "High subsidies have ignited a flash in the pan that doesn't burn for long," said Johannes Wahlmüller, climate spokesperson for the environmental protection organization.

There is a need for a rapid reintroduction of federal funding, and the federal states are also required to increase their subsidies. "At the same time, it is necessary to create legal regulations so that the transition to climate-friendly heating systems becomes mandatory by 2040 and is also implemented in rented apartments," emphasized Wahlmüller.

Differences Between Federal States

He points to the very different subsidy levels in the federal states. "After the discontinuation of federal funding, there is now exactly 0 euros in one-time grants in Lower Austria, whereas in Tyrol there is still 13,000 euros. In between are Upper Austria (1,700 euros), Styria (2,500 euros), Burgenland (3,500 euros), Vorarlberg (4,000 euros), Salzburg (5,000 euros), Carinthia (6,000 euros), and Vienna (12,000 euros)," Wahlmüller calculated in a statement on Friday.

Yesterday, Thursday, "Der Standard" reported that reservations for heating subsidies in December 2024 skyrocketed. The rush led to the early termination of the "Get Out of Oil and Gas" initiative, which was supposed to run until 2027, shortly before Christmas 2024.

Chamber of Commerce for Relaunch

The newspaper speculates that many people have reserved the subsidy as a precaution, "just in case," so to speak. This includes the possibility that a new federal government might cut the significantly increased subsidy amounts by the previous coalition of ÖVP and Greens. Installers and heat pump manufacturers warned that up to 5,000 jobs were at risk due to the standstill. The Chamber of Commerce called for a relaunch.

(APA/Red)

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