SP climate protection spokesman Thomas Antlinger believes the country’s general climate protection goals are not specific enough. At least he requested specific information regarding the state administration’s climate footprint in a written request to State Governor Thomas Stelzer (VP). “Public administration should set a good example when it comes to climate protection,” says Antlinger.
The response to the request arrived on Monday. Accordingly, the state administration’s total CO2 emissions fell from 2021 to 2022 – from 11,507 tons to 10,618 tons. That’s a decrease of 7.7 percent. Overall, Stelzer sees Upper Austria on the right track to achieving climate neutrality in 2040 as planned, as he writes in his answer. The answer in detail:
- 270,000 liters of diesel less: The vehicle fleet accounts for by far the largest share of the state administration’s CO2 emissions. The country’s vehicles consumed 3.17 million liters of diesel (and 12,000 liters of gasoline) in 2022. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 8,387 tons. In 2021, 3.44 million liters of diesel (and 14,000 liters of gasoline) were transported. That was an output of 9,105 tons.
- 375 new electric cars by 2030: The conversion of the vehicle fleet to e-mobility is still just beginning, although this also has its pitfalls (e.g. the controversial purchase of Chinese electric cars). According to the query response, of the country’s 980 vehicles in 2022, 937 were powered by diesel, plus five hybrid vehicles, 35 electric vehicles and three natural gas vehicles. According to the country’s plans, this is set to change rapidly over the next six years. At least 375 new electric cars are to be purchased for state service by 2030 at the latest, Stelzer announced in the response to the query. This will lead to an expected reduction in CO2 emissions by 3,500 tons.
- Hardly any flights in pandemic years: Air travel by state government members and officials has increased compared to the pandemic years. While only four tons of CO2 were emitted in 2021, in 2022 it was 38 tons. Unlike the country’s vehicle fleet, data for air travel is already available for 2023. These show a further increase to 130.3 tons. This corresponds to 110,000 flight kilometers by government members and 372,000 flight kilometers by state officials. This brings us closer to the average in the years before the pandemic. According to the response, no domestic flights were taken by government members or officials in 2023. There were a total of four short-haul flights (less than 1000 kilometers), namely from Munich to Geneva and Berlin and from Vienna to Zagreb and Krakow (and back).
- Energy consumption in buildings (especially heating and cooling): There was also a reduction here – and with it also in CO2 emissions. The latter fell by around 200 tons from 2021 to 2022 – from 2398 tons to 2199 tons.
Image: OÖN Graphics
Just for comparison: By far the most important project for CO2 reduction in Upper Austria (and Austria) remains the gradual switch to green steel at voestalpine. As reported, the two electric arc furnaces that will go into operation in Linz and Donawitz in 2027 are expected to lead to a reduction of around four million tons of CO2 per year.
Author
Markus Staudinger
Managing editor, deputy Head of Politics Department
Markus Staudinger
