The Ministry of Climate Protection and the company Sodexo reject criticism of the payment of the climate bonus. The SPÖ recently said that the voucher company Sodexo “earned a lot” and was also concerned regarding data protection. Sodexo boss Andreas Sticha described the rumored sum of 21 million euros as a “myth”, according to the ministry Sodexo received 7.9 million euros. A minimum purchase quantity was not agreed.
The climate bonus was one of the largest payment campaigns in the history of the Second Republic: from September, all people who have had their main residence in Austria for at least six months automatically received the climate bonus.
400,000 still without climate bonus
This year there was 500 euros – including cost-of-living compensation – for adults, half of it for children. People whose bank details are unknown or who do not have an account received the bonus in the form of Sodexo vouchers. The vouchers were delivered by RSa letter, which may only be accepted in person or with a power of attorney form.
An estimated 400,000 people have not yet received the climate bonus – such as newborns or people who have moved to Austria, explained project manager Wolfgang Otter at a press conference. You’ll get the money in a second wave of payouts in February. The preparations for this have already started in full.
Regional differences from 2023
According to the Ministry of Climate Protection, 7.91 million euros were paid to Sodexo. This sum also includes all costs of Sodexo’s partner companies for production, transport, but also transaction costs at the bank partner. Agreements on a minimum order or purchase quantity of vouchers “did not exist”, assured Otter.
The contract with Sodexo runs for four years. In 2023, the climate bonus will then be regionally staggered as originally planned. The first wave of payments is to take place once more in autumn. Although a “great wealth of experience” has now been gained, it would be “presumptuous” to say that there is no potential for improvement, Otter admitted realistically. The regionally different amounts would make logistics and processing even more complex.