Lower Austria is celebrating 30 years of the climate alliance

2023-11-13 12:02:33

LH deputy Pernkopf: “Protecting our climate is probably the biggest challenge of our time”

St.Pölten (OTS) – The state of Lower Austria decided to join the climate alliance as early as 1993. Now, 30 years later, LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf and Climate Alliance Lower Austria managing director Petra Schön took stock at a celebratory event in Laxenburg.

“Protecting our climate is probably the greatest challenge of our time. Each and every individual must accept this responsibility – so that our children can grow up in a livable Lower Austria,” said LH deputy and climate alliance ambassador Stephan Pernkopf at the Climate Forum Lower Austria. The state of Lower Austria began to fulfill this responsibility early on. For three decades now, people in Lower Austria have been proud to be part of this international success story in climate protection. Pernkopf: “And we see: Today we are the federal state with the greatest CO2 reduction and the most green electricity! We will set even greater speed in the future.”

By joining the Climate Alliance network, the course was set in the state: the first Lower Austrian climate program emerged in 2004 from the Climate Alliance working group in the state of Lower Austria. “Emissions have been falling every year since 2005. So far it has already increased by 25 percent. At the same time, the economy grew by 25 percent. This means: economic growth and emissions have been decoupled in Lower Austria. The economy is growing, prosperity is increasing and emissions are falling,” says Pernkopf. In 2007, Lower Austria became the first federal state to enshrine climate protection in the state constitution. Since 2015, Lower Austria has covered its entire electricity needs 100 percent from renewable energy sources. In 2019, the ban on oil heating in new buildings was introduced, and the 2030 climate and energy roadmap was adopted at the same time. This stipulates a reduction in greenhouse gases by 36 percent as well as the further massive expansion of renewable energy. In addition, 10,000 green jobs and a climate-neutral state administration are to be created by 2035.

A lot has also happened in Lower Austria’s municipalities since then: out of 573 municipalities, 427 are already members of the climate alliance. This makes the region a role model in Europe. In order to honor the thirty-year commitment of the state of Lower Austria and the climate alliance anniversary communities, the Climate Forum Lower Austria took place in the Kaiserbahnhof Laxenburg, where communities were able to exchange ideas and best practice examples were brought to the fore. Petra Schön, Managing Director of the Lower Austria Climate Alliance, emphasized at the festive event: “We are proud of our long-standing members. With the numerous measures taken in recent decades, they are setting standards in terms of energy, mobility and climate change adaptation. They are role models for other communities and an inspiration for the population.”

The municipalities of Echsenbach and Gießhübl (each 25 years of climate alliance member), Grafenwörth, Laxenburg, Winklarn, St. Andrä-Wördern, Moosbrunn (20 years each), Bergland, St. Martin and Großdietmanns (15 years each) were honored for their constant dedication ).

Further information: DI Jürgen Maier, press spokesman for LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf, mobile [phone], email [e-mail]

Questions & Contact:

Office of the Lower Austrian State Government
State Office Directorate/Public Relations
Doris Zöger
02742/9005-13314
[e-mail]
www.noe.gv.at/presse

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