Gewessler Accuses Government of Inaction on Climate Protection in Nationalrat

She backed up her criticism specifically with the development of greenhouse gas emissions. For the first time in several years, emissions in Austria had risen again, a trend that called into question the efforts undertaken so far to reverse course.

The debate took place at the start of the week, as the Nationalrat launched its autumn session after the parliamentary summer break. The government was also under pressure because of the upcoming energy and climate program, for which negotiations have been announced for months.

Reactions in the Nationalrat

The reactions in the plenary fell along parliamentary faction lines. While opposition representatives picked up on the accusation of inaction, the government's bench pointed to ongoing working groups and to measures already implemented in the energy and subsidy areas.

The agenda for the coming weeks was also addressed in the debate. Several members of parliament called for binding interim targets for 2030 as well as faster approval of wind and photovoltaic installations. Gewessler also spoke out in favor of reforming the eco-social tax reform in order to gradually phase out climate-harmful subsidies.

From the ranks of the coalition, it was said that they first wanted to await the final report of the Climate Protection Commission before concrete steps would be presented. At the same time, it was acknowledged that the reduction curve to date would not be sufficient to meet national and European targets.

Outlook for the Autumn Session

In domestic policy terms, autumn is regarded as a decisive phase for domestic climate policy. Under the European Climate Law, the requirements for member states are increasing, and updated national plans must be submitted to the EU Commission by the end of the year.

Observers see Gewessler's statement as the opening of a broadly conceived debate over the distribution of the costs of the energy transition. Industry, transport, and spatial planning in particular will be at the center of upcoming negotiations.

APA reports from the morning had already indicated that the climate issue is likely to be one of the central topics of the autumn session. Speakers from all factions had repeatedly referred to the summer and its consequences in their contributions.

Climate Policy Initiatives

With a view to the coming weeks of sittings, several clubs announced initiatives ranging from a tightening of the Climate Protection Act to adjustments in the building sector. It remains unclear whether the necessary majorities for these can be found in the Nationalrat.

The debate also showed that the fronts between the government and the opposition on the issue of climate protection remain hardened. According to parliamentary observers, which concrete decisions are actually taken in the autumn session depends above all on the outcome of the ongoing budget negotiations.