Among other things, climate-damaging subsidies such as the “diesel privilege” are to be abolished in order to reduce CO2 emissions by 48 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 in order to achieve the EU climate target.
Gewessler recalled the gap in the first draft, which was presented in July of the previous year and where only 35 percent of greenhouse gas reductions were achieved instead of 48 percent. In the meantime, however, further joint measures have been developed, “above all the extensive abolition of climate-damaging subsidies,” said the minister. This applies both to the diesel privilege in the form of a lower mineral oil tax compared to gasoline and to the tax advantage for company cars.
Of course, the work is not yet finished, the abolition of subsidies in particular still needs time and the Ministry of Finance is responsible for this. A planned saving of CO2 emissions of at least two million tons in 2030 is not a “small-scale” but a “major contribution” and should therefore be tackled step by step and seriously,” the minister stressed.
Finance Minister puts brakes on diesel privilege
Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (VP) put Gewessler’s statements into perspective. He pointed out that the NEKP does indeed provide for a reduction in climate-counterproductive measures. “However, it is not yet clear which measures this will specifically affect – specific subsidies, such as the diesel privilege or the commuter allowance, are not mentioned in the plan,” Brunner clarified in response to a request from the OÖN. In the autumn, a working group will be set up by the Ministry of Finance, which will be responsible for this.
Video: The new measures were presented at a press conference on Tuesday
Other new measures include the continuation of high subsidies for replacing heating systems and renovating buildings until 2030, a massive expansion of hydrogen production for domestic industry and the use of permanent CO2 storage in sectors where climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions cannot otherwise be avoided.
Gewessler: Austria can achieve EU goals
Overall, Austria can achieve the EU climate targets, Gewessler stressed, because “the many climate measures” of the current legislative period are already making a difference, from climate tickets to replacing heating systems. And all of these measures will not only put Austria on a climate course, but will also protect one thing above all: “the quality of life and future for future generations.”
In the end, a good result is what counts, and one such result has been achieved, said Gewessler, summarizing the work on the NEKP. The first draft of the NEKP was actually sent to the EU Commission last year, but European Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) withdrew it at the beginning of December because it did not correspond to the Austrian government’s position.
Austria “did not present a good image”
“This issue has been on our minds for a long time,” said Gewessler. She would have liked the EU to have been able to give its feedback on the NECP earlier, and by withdrawing the draft, the country “did not present a good image.” However, Austria is now fulfilling its goal and she assumes that the EU Commission will see it that way too.
Because of the missing draft, the EU Commission opened infringement proceedings against Austria at the end of December 2023. Skipping a stage and submitting the final NECP now is not possible, a Commission spokesman said at the beginning of July. “This is a step-by-step process. We need to receive a draft. The Commission will then make recommendations on it and then we need a final plan.”
