COMPARE: How much do Austria’s political parties care about the climate crisis?

As severe weather events increase, Austrian political parties offer sharply contrasting approaches to climate protection and disaster response in the run-up to national elections. Here are each party's views on the topic.

Published: 4 September 2024 11:04 CEST

COMPARE: How much do Austria's political parties care about the climate crisis?

Overall view shows the village of Semmering and the artificially snowed practice area of the Ski school in the wintersport resort Zauberberg im Semmering, Lower Austria, on January 08, 2023. A warmer year and less snow could account for less interest in alpine sports. (Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP)

As Austria faces increasingly frequent weather extremes, including tropical temperatures in the east, mudslides in the west, and severe storms in the south, climate protection has emerged as a pivotal issue in the upcoming national elections.

Austria’s public broadcaster ORF used public statements, the party’s election manifestos, and interviews with political experts to rate each party’s commitment to climate protection on a scale from zero (not important) to ten (very important).

Most parties rated climate protection as a top priority, awarding themselves the maximum of ten points. However, the SPÖ and ÖVP were more conservative, assigning themselves nine and seven points, respectively. Experts Hofer and Stainer-Hämmerle were more critical, giving both the SPÖ and ÖVP only five points in this area.

Here, you can compare the party’s assessment of the importance of climate protection with the assessment made by political consultant Thomas Hofer and political scientist Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle.

The Greens have consistently championed climate protection, with their election manifesto heavily focused on environmental and sustainability issues.

The experts agreed, awarding them ten out of ten points. In contrast, the FPÖ, while rating their own efforts highly, received just one point from the experts. The party has promoted what it calls "genuine nature and environmental protection," rejecting what it describes as "ideological climate protection."

What does each party say?

Austria’s political landscape reveals stark differences in climate policies, from ÖVP's technological optimism to the FPÖ’s scepticism about climate policies.

Austria's People’s Party (ÖVP)

The centre-right ÖVP remains committed to what it calls "climate protection with common sense", focusing heavily on developing new technologies rather than imposing additional costs on its voter base.

Notably, in its "Austria Plan" document, the term "climate change" is mentioned just once across 82 pages, while the phrase "car country" appears four times.

Instead of addressing the transport sector, the largest source of emissions in Austria, the ÖVP is advocating for a significant expansion of road infrastructure, with a proposed investment of €20 billion by 2040. While the party has also expressed support for enhancing public transport, it has not specified how much funding will be allocated to this sector.

Additionally, the ÖVP is pushing for stricter penalties for what it describes as "climate offenders" rather than introducing measures like reduced speed limits on motorways.

The ÖVP's approach centres on believing that future technological advancements will be key to solving the climate crisis. The party plans to invest €1 billion in developing a green combustion engine and support climate tech companies. It also proposes legalising and promoting CO2 storage facilities and converting domestic gas grids to transport hydrogen.

Furthermore, the ÖVP aims to expand alternative energy sources such as geothermal energy, hydropower, and biomass.

Climate change protests in Vienna, Austria. Photo: Joe Klamar/AFP

Austria's Social Democratic Party (SPÖ)

Meanwhile, the centre-left SPÖ has outlined its own climate strategy, which focuses on restructuring the economy to be both socially and environmentally sustainable.

Although it has not yet released its full election manifesto, the SPÖ has introduced 24 key ideas for Austria under the slogan "With heart and brain." Two of these ideas directly address climate protection.

The party's plan includes connecting every district capital to a higher-ranking rail network or express bus line by 2030 and making public transport free for children and young people.

The SPÖ also proposes a €20 billion transformation fund to support businesses that meet specific social criteria and advocates for state investment in start-ups within the climate and energy sectors.

Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ)

On the other hand, the far-right FPÖ’s manifesto, titled "Fortress Austria", positions climate policy as a threat rather than an opportunity.

The party warns against "climate hysteria,” arguing that current climate policies drive up energy prices and endanger prosperity. The FPÖ proposes abolishing the CO2 tax and the associated climate bonus, which it views as a “meaningless redistribution.”

The party supports expanding public transport while preserving the combustion engine and removing tax benefits for electric vehicles. The FPÖ also advocates for price caps on energy and fuel. Despite its stated intention to expand renewables, it emphasises the importance of maintaining fossil fuels to ensure competitiveness.

According to them, Russian gas will "continue to make an important contribution to our security of supply".

Greens

True to their roots, the Greens have dedicated substantial space in their election manifesto to climate issues.

However, rather than introducing new ideas, the manifesto primarily highlights the achievements made during their time in government, such as implementing the climate ticket and expanding renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

The Greens are careful to avoid reinforcing their image as the "party of prohibition,” only suggesting a ban on private jet flights within Europe. They also propose introducing an enforceable climate protection law and a constitutional right to climate protection.

NEOS

The liberal party Neos, in its manifesto "Reforms for your new Austria", presents a plan for a "Climate reform for a sustainable Austria", which includes taxing CO2 emissions more heavily while reducing the tax burden on wages and incomes.

In transport, Neos proposes expanding infrastructure for electric vehicles and public transport while replacing the commuter allowance with a social concept for regional development.

Smaller parties

Although lacking formal election manifestos, the Beer Party, the “None of them” list, and the List Madeleine Petrovic (LMP) have also addressed climate issues.

Petrovic, a former Green Party leader, questions the prevailing narrative of the climate crisis and criticises the focus on CO2 as the sole cause.

The Beer Party, on the other hand, supports the implementation of the Paris climate targets and calls for a climate-neutral Austria.

"None of them" advocates for a rapid and comprehensive energy transition, aiming to achieve a fully renewable energy system by 2030.