Vienna Climate Law Likely to Come in 2025
According to the trio, the law should come into force before the early municipal council election on April 27.
"We Know in Vienna That Climate Protection Is Important"
A total of 24 statements were received, "all of which were quite positive," as Ludwig said, during the review process. With the involvement of all experts, a "milestone towards a climate model city" has now been achieved. Referring to the flooding in the federal capital and in large parts of Austria, he emphasized: "We know in Vienna that climate protection is important." For this reason, Vienna has "come through the crisis well." The self-binding law serves as a guarantee for compliance with climate goals - even beyond legislative periods, as was emphasized.
Components of the Vienna Climate Law
"We want to follow announcements with actions," said Czernohorszky about the project. "We will now have a comprehensive toolbox with which we can work." Components of the law include, among other things, at least a five-year update of the Vienna Climate Plan, climate checks for laws, regulations, and construction projects of the city, as well as a firmly anchored climate budget. "With this, we oppose the climate protection cutbacks at the federal level and take an important step to maintain our quality of life despite the climate crisis and to create legal certainty for companies," said Czernohorszky.
The implementation of the Vienna Climate Law is coordinated by three units: The Steering Group - Climate Affairs, which consists of all executive city councilors under the chairmanship of the mayor. The steering group is supported by the legally anchored Climate Council as an advisory body. This also strengthens the position of science, shared Dragana Damjanovic from TU Vienna, chairwoman of the Advisory Board Science of the Vienna Climate Council. Also involved in the implementation is the cross-departmental coordination office for climate affairs.
The law provides "a legal framework for existing and future measures," explained Wiederkehr. In this context, he mentioned the binding planning of CO2 neutrality by 2040, thus creating a roadmap "on which everyone can rely," said the deputy mayor.
Resolution of the Vienna Climate Law
The Climate Law was already passed by the state government on Tuesday, and soon - but in any case in the spring - the resolution in the state parliament and subsequently the promulgation will take place, which, however, is merely a formal act. The law will thus come into effect before the early municipal council election on April 27, assured Czernohorszky.
Greens Call it a "PR Stunt"
Criticism came on Tuesday from the Vienna Greens. The issue of traffic is completely "excluded," emphasized party leader Peter Kraus. In addition, in the current draft, only 16 construction projects are subject to a climate check. He spoke in a statement of a "PR stunt" by the city government. The proposed value limit for construction projects in the law must be lowered to ensure targeted effectiveness. Kraus appealed to the Vienna SPÖ to consider the Greens' improvement proposals. "Otherwise, the Climate Law threatens to become a greenwashing action," warned Kraus.
The FPÖ pointed out that it is still unclear what financial consequences the law will bring. "Consequently, it is to be feared that costs and rental prices will increase massively, especially in social housing," said climate and environment spokesman Udo Guggenbichler.
The ÖVP spoke of symbolic politics. Instead of effective measures, a large "apparatus without real benefit" is being created. The law could also "lead to a locational disadvantage due to a lack of incentives for innovation and economic sustainability," feared VP councilor Josef Mantl. The city has neglected to adequately review critical statements. Even Wien Holding criticized that the application of the climate check for construction projects is expected to result in delays or technical, logistical, and administrative uncertainties, and ultimately additional costs, explained Mantl. Major projects are generally also subject to an environmental assessment or EIA.
(APA/Red)
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