Climate roadmap “no destination fairy tale book” – wien.ORF.at

The SPÖ-NEOS coalition, which was forged after the 2020 election, promised a major “climate protection offensive”. The city government retreat is the starting signal, as the office of Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) announced in advance. On the basis of the revised “Smart City” framework strategy, a climate roadmap has now been drawn up, which Ludwig and Deputy Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) will present at lunchtime together with City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorsky (SPÖ) and Ulrike Sima (SPÖ), City Councilor for Innovation, Urban Planning and Mobility , introduced.

“Climate roadmap” and framework strategy up to 2040

The plan is for Vienna to become climate-neutral by 2040. The focus is on alternative energies, waste avoidance and new forms of mobility. It is planned, for example, that from this point onwards no more vehicles with petrol or diesel engines will be in use.

The expansion of district heating and the use of geothermal energy is also part of the plan. The construction of a large heat pump, which will supply energy for more than 100,000 households, will soon take place in the Simmering sewage treatment plant. Furthermore, the approval of solar systems for private individuals is to be made less complicated in the future and in some cases no longer necessary. Overall, Vienna intends to invest EUR 2.8 billion in climate protection measures in the next two years alone, which also includes the expansion of public transport.

“Turning the Big Screws”

They work well and closely together, said Ludwig at PK in his opening statement. By 2040, Vienna should become climate-neutral. You want to turn the big screws, but you’re not starting from scratch. Vienna is a role model for other cities around the world. When it comes to land consumption, Vienna is a model city in an international comparison, Ludwig gives an example. In any case, with the new climate roadmap, they do not want to develop “a target fairy tale book” and also do not want to create any apocalyptic forecasts, according to Ludwig.

A total of eleven target areas

The new timetable takes up the main goals from the “Smart City” strategy and specifies which measures the city must take to achieve these goals. It contains over 100 measures that are to be continuously supplemented and adapted. There are a total of eleven target areas in the new timetable. There should be measures in all areas, in education, social and health policy as well as in urban development and affordable housing.

Ludwig is optimistic that he can master the challenges. Ludwig believes that large parts of the population could be brought on board. The largest investments are planned for district heating and district cooling. District heating should cover 60 percent of heating requirements by 2040.

Photovoltaics: fewer official channels

Investments are made in large heat pumps and geothermal energy. The starting signal for Europe’s largest heat pump in Simmering is coming soon. The expansion for district cooling is in full swing. The AKH is to be connected to the district cooling system after the Floridsdorf clinic. The installation of the photovoltaic systems is also on the right track, Ludwig continued. Private households will be able to install such systems without having to go through complicated official channels.

Ludwig named the subway expansion as a further climate measure. Three times as much money flows into public transport as into road construction. In terms of “zero waste policy”, i.e. circular economy, the EU target of 60 percent is to be achieved by 2030, according to the ambitious goal. Climate protection must always be combined with social justice, concluded Ludwig. There you have a home advantage in Vienna, since energy suppliers are owned by the city. Ludwig is convinced that Vienna is leading the way in Austria and internationally.

Return: “Course set for the future”

Wiederkehr emphasized that the high goals in climate protection are now binding thanks to the concrete roadmaps: the course for the future has been set with the Smart City framework strategy and the climate roadmap. Global warming is the greatest challenge of our time. The cooperation with the SPÖ is good. It is not about individual measures before an election, but about long-term strategies.

The planned controversial road construction in the north of Vienna and the Lobau tunnel were not mentioned in the presentation, as was criticized in the subsequent question and answer session with journalists. On the city street, it was assured, hold on tight.

Planned decision on February 23rd

The strategy and the timetable are to be adopted by the municipal council on February 23, 2022. Experts, research and civil society are involved in the entire process as part of the Vienna Climate Council. This body advises politics and administration on the development of climate policy projects.

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