The National Council gives the green light to the EIA amendment

MPs debate report showing up to €5.7 billion in climate-damaging funding in Austria

Vienna (PK) – An amendment to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act passed the National Council today. The reform is intended to accelerate the implementation of energy transition projects and thus the achievement of climate targets.

The parliamentary groups also debated a report on climate-damaging subsidies. This locates a volume of up to €5.7 billion in Austria and names the traffic of companies as the main beneficiary. The report has been noted. A demand by the FPÖ for the abolition of CO2 pricing to stop inflation remained in the minority.

Reform of EIA procedures to accelerate energy transition

In order to achieve the climate goals more quickly, EIA procedures for energy transition projects should be carried out more quickly in future. This is to be achieved through an amendment to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, which was approved by a majority today. This includes measures to increase the efficiency of the process, in particular options for better structuring of the process. In addition, the case law of the Administrative Court on citizens’ initiatives in approval procedures is taken into account. Adjustments will also be made to the procedure at the Federal Administrative Court and to complaints. The requirements of climate protection and the reduction of land use are also to be taken into account through more detailed provisions. The aim of the revised facts is to support implementation with better criteria as to whether an EIA procedure is necessary for a project. For example, new facts are to be introduced for large parking lot projects, for large-scale resealing, for construction projects within UNESCO World Heritage sites or for the storage of waste.

Climate protection minister Leonore Gewessler explained that last year we learned in a dramatic way what dependence in the energy sector means. This dependency can be changed if energy is self-generated. The amendment brings the necessary “renewable turbo”. In the future, a lack of spatial energy planning in the federal states can no longer delay the expansion of energy production with wind turbines. In addition, there should be no more double examinations. Overall, the aim of the amendment is to support pioneers and individuals should no longer be able to block the energy transition.

The lack of a climate protection law is often criticized, but Austria is a pioneer in international comparison with its climate protection measures, said Johannes Schmuckenschlager (ÖVP) and spoke out in favor of a technology-open discussion in order to achieve the climate goals. Martina Diesner-Wais (ÖVP) identified further need for action with regard to the right of municipalities to have a say and emphasized that regional planning must remain the competence of the municipality. Nikolaus Prinz (ÖVP) emphasized that renewable energy sources would bring more added value to the regions.

The law is well intentioned, but “poorly done” in some areas, Andreas Kollross (SPÖ) criticized the “massive” intervention in municipal autonomy. To ensure the acceptance of the wind power expansion in the local communities, Kollross called for the introduction of a nationwide regulation for a financial contribution from the wind power plant operators in the form of an annual community fee. The motion for a resolution tabled during the debate remained in the minority. Robert Laimer (SPÖ) welcomed the amendment in principle, but missed the anchoring of a nationwide pool of experts. The lack of a climate protection law is a “disgrace” and impedes Austria’s ecological progress.

Walter Rauch (FPÖ) criticized that nature, environmental and landscape protection would be sacrificed to protect the climate. In addition, the expansion is counterproductive, since additional roads would have to be built and forests would have to be cleared for the construction of wind turbines. Gerhard Deimek (FPÖ) identified a lack of constitutional conformity due to the encroachment on the rights of the federal states and serious irreversible encroachments on nature as a result of the amendment and called for a “reasonable” environmental policy. The amendment would undermine state regulations, Christian Ragger (FPÖ) also criticized. Wind turbines are not wanted in Carinthia, but they are pioneers with an 85% share of green energy.

Astrid Rössler (Greens) was pleased regarding the “lever for climate protection” with the EIA amendment. The expansion of green electricity must be accelerated and the prevention of wind turbines cannot be tolerated, said Martin Litschauer (Greens) and emphasized the added value generated by Austrian suppliers.

Austria is anything but a pioneer in climate protection, criticized Michael Bernhard (NEOS). Although the NEOS would support the amendment, it came much too late, said Bernhard, and called for further measures to be implemented more quickly.

Up to €5.7 billion in climate counterproductive subsidies, especially for transport and energy from companies

On average, the volume of climate counterproductive subsidies in Austria in recent years has amounted to up to €5.7 billion. The main beneficiaries of the subsidies are transport and energy production and use by companies. A reform or reduction of the subsidies cannot be determined. This hinders a climate-compatible energy transition and the conversion of resources. This emerges from the “Analysis of climate counterproductive subsidies in Austria”, which the Austrian Institute for Economic Research prepared on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology. The report was initiated by a resolution of the National Council in the course of the debate on the climate referendum.

The report was acknowledged by a majority. A motion for a resolution by the FPÖ that was tabled during the debate and called for stricter penalties for “climate glue: inside” remained in the minority with 25 out of 163 votes in a roll-call vote.

FPÖ: Abolition of CO2 pricing to stop inflation

The FPÖ MPs Walter Rauch and Christian Hafenecker are in favor of abolishing CO2 pricing in the form of an amendment to the National Emissions Certificates Trading Act. The eco-social tax reform means enormous burdens for the population. The “CO2 tax” from July 1, 2022 will further increase the already high prices for fuel, oil and gas and pose great financial problems for many people. The applicants substantiate their claim that the climate bonus will by far not cover these additional costs and will continue to drive up inflation. The request remained in the minority. (Continued National Council) pst

NOTE: Meetings of the National Council and the Federal Council can also be followed via live stream and are available as video-on-demand in Parliament’s media library.

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