Vienna Greens demand heat crisis task force and immediate measures from the city government

As evidence of the urgency, the Greens pointed to the heatwave in Western Europe at the end of June, which led to more than 10,000 additional deaths. In Vienna, the emergency medical service recorded nearly four thousand operations at the end of June, marking the three busiest days in its history. The SPÖ and NEOS had learned nothing from the previous heatwave at the end of June, according to the Greens' accusation.

The central demand of the Vienna Greens to the city government was to establish a heat crisis task force that would implement a binding heat protection plan with clear priorities. The task force should operate across departmental boundaries and centrally control measures. In addition, the summer holidays must be used to make schools heat-resistant; kindergartens need a cooling concept.

Concrete Measures for Districts and Infrastructure

For public transport, Kraus and Luxenberger demanded additional shading for particularly exposed public transport stations as well as a transparent plan for full air conditioning. For hospitals and nursing homes, the party called for, among other things, cool recreation, work, and rest rooms. For the "Cool Zones," there are "just three more locations," and moreover, only five out of 37 are also open on weekends.

Reaction of the Vienna SPÖ

Michael Luxenberger, district leader of Margareten, said: "Wir müssen Hitze endlich als das behandeln, was sie ist - eine Katastrophe". Kraus referenced the example of Zagreb: "Zagreb hätte beispielsweise Freibäder an Hitzetagen gratis zugänglich gemacht." In the previous period from 2020 to 2025, 20 million euros would have been available annually as part of the "Climate-fit Model City" funding program. This was cut, but is still necessary to make public spaces climate-fit.

The Vienna SPÖ rejected the accusations. A permanent crisis task force, as demanded by the Greens, is "pure scaremongering that does absolutely nothing for the people." The measures announced by the city on Tuesday — longer opening hours at selected pools and additional "Cool Zones" — are part of an ongoing strategy. They pointed, among other things, to the "Cool Zones," the longer pool opening hours, and to the greening and unsealing offensive "Raus aus dem Asphalt". In addition, they are "already working on the climate-fit modernization of hospitals, care facilities, and station forecourts."

SPÖ members Nina Abrahamczik and Omar Al-Rawi explained that the heat situation is being continuously and precisely monitored within the framework of AMAS (Austrian Multi-Hazard Advice Service) and municipal coordination bodies. Consequences have been drawn from previous heatwaves and preparations are being continuously implemented. In this way, the governing party firmly rejected the accusation of inaction.

Outlook and Next Steps

The Greens announced that they would repeat their demands in the further political negotiations on the Vienna budget and the municipal climate program. Kraus signaled willingness to engage in dialogue but insisted on binding measures rather than mere announcements. Luxenberger emphasized that the districts need clearly regulated responsibilities in order to be able to act quickly in an emergency.

According to meteorologists' assessment, the next heatwave is expected as early as this August. The City of Vienna announced that it would continue to monitor the situation and take additional steps if necessary. Meanwhile, the opposition announced an urgent inquiry in the Vienna Landtag to review the government's heat protection policies.