Brussels recommends Vienna swift implementation of the climate plan

Brussels – The European Commission published its final assessments of the National Climate and Energy Plans (NECP) of the member countries in Brussels on Wednesday. Overall, the EU is on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 54 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. Austria must now quickly implement its final national energy and climate plan, the Commission emphasizes in its final assessment of the belatedly submitted plan.

The Commission had published an assessment of the draft of the updated Austrian plan and recommendations for the development of the final NECP in October 2024. It criticizes today in its final assessment that some of these recommendations were only partially considered in the final Austrian plan, and some not at all.

It recommends today that the additional measures to achieve the 2030 target (including reducing subsidies for fossil fuels and introducing carbon capture and storage) be implemented in a timely manner in the burden-sharing regulation. The regulation sets binding national reduction targets for 2030. Part of the domestic emission reduction will be achieved through measures that have not yet been fully implemented, according to the Commission.

Quickly implement the promotion of renewable energies

Brussels further demands the “clarification of existing subsidies for fossil fuels along with a detailed timeline for their gradual phase-out.” Furthermore, the “promotion of thermal renovation of buildings, the use of renewable energies, and the modernization of heating systems” must be implemented quickly. In the area of renewable energies, Brussels recommends creating a framework to support renewable energies in all sectors as well as raising awareness among citizens and businesses about financing options and system advantages of renewable technologies. In the area of energy efficiency, measures must be taken to achieve the more ambitious energy efficiency targets by 2030 regarding primary energy consumption.

Austria submitted its final updated plan on December 18, 2024, almost six months after the required deadline (June 30, 2024), the Commission also emphasizes again in its document. The reason for the delay was a dispute in the then governing coalition of the ÖVP and the Greens. The Commission had also initiated an infringement procedure against Austria due to the missing plan, which was closed this March. (30.05.2025)